Millions of people around the world are affected by fibromyalgia. This debilitating condition can cause widespread pain, fatigue, and cognitive issues, making it difficult for patients to carry out their daily activities and enjoy their lives. While the exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, it has been linked to physical and emotional trauma, including car accidents.
If you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia after a car accident, you could recover compensation for your medical care, pain and suffering, and other costs. However, you will need to prove that your condition was caused by the accident, which can be a challenging task.
What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that affects the musculoskeletal system. The condition is characterized by a heightened sensitivity to pain and pressure. The severity of fibromyalgia symptoms can vary greatly from person to person, and they can also come and go over time.
It can also cause a range of other symptoms, including:
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- Headaches
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Cognitive difficulties, such as problems with memory and concentration
- Depression and anxiety
The Link Between Car Accidents and Fibromyalgia
Researchers and doctors have yet to determine the exact cause of fibromyalgia. However, certain studies have revealed a potential link between traumatic events, such as car accidents, and the onset of fibromyalgia. When a person experiences physical injuries in a car accident, nerve stimulation can impact his or her brain and increase the chemicals that receive and signal pain. This heightened sensitivity could trigger the development of fibromyalgia.
Additionally, the psychological stress resulting from a car accident, including symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, could also play a role. The overall stress of the event could lead to changes in the body’s pain response, potentially causing the onset of fibromyalgia.
How to Recover Compensation for Fibromyalgia after a Car Accident
California is a fault state when it comes to car accidents, meaning that the person or party at fault for the accident is responsible for paying damages to any injured victims. If you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia after a car accident, you may be able to recover compensation by filing a claim against the at-fault driver.
In these situations, you must prove that the other driver was negligent, meaning he or she failed to take reasonable care while driving. You must also establish a link between the car accident and your injuries.
You will need to present sufficient evidence to establish four crucial facts:
- Duty of Care: The at-fault driver had a legal duty to drive safely and obey traffic laws.
- Breach of Duty: The at-fault driver breached his or her duty of care in some way.
- Causation: The at-fault driver’s breach of duty caused the car accident that led to your fibromyalgia.
- Damages: The car accident resulted in your fibromyalgia, causing you to suffer damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
To prove these elements, you will need to provide evidence such as police reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony from medical professionals. However, building a strong case can be challenging, especially while you are recovering from the accident.
In these situations, you need an attorney on your side. A California car accident lawyer can conduct a complete investigation into your accident and craft a compelling case to help you recover the settlement that you deserve. Contact an attorney as soon as possible following your accident to discuss your next steps.