Welcome to the Pennsylvania
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSD) Attorneys'
website of Munley, Munley & Cartwright, P.C., Attorneys at
Law. With offices conveniently located in Carbondale, Hamlin, Hazleton, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre,
PA., our firm has the benefit of the local presence and
knowledge of the legal communities where work related
injuries and disability cases are litigated.
Our quality reputation is based
on over 40 years of practice in the courts of Lackawana,
Monroe, Schuylkill, Wayne, Luzerne, and Wyoming counties.
Our goal is to provide exceptional legal services to our
clients, and our Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome
lawyers are committed to representing people and family
members suffering from work related conditions and
disabilities.
RSD, or "Complex Regional Pain Syndrome", is a
chronic pain disorder involving the sympathetic nervous
system. It usually results from injury or trauma, but can
also be a complication of surgery, infection, casting or
splinting and myocardial infraction (heart attack). The
disease normally begins in one area of the body and
generally progresses over time to other locations in the
body. As the disease advances, it tends to become more
painful. Our clients have described it to us as constant
burning pain, that is sensitive to touch and temperature and
not significantly reduced by normal pain medication.
There are several stages to RSD, which progress at different
rates in different people. The first indication of RSD is
prolonged pain usually more severe than the injury. The
symptoms are severe burning pain in a localized area,
intense sensitivity to temperature and light touch, and a
color change to the skin. Next, the area becomes blue and
cold, with increased pain and stiffness of ligaments and
joints, and Osteoporosis may become evident. Finally, there
may be a wasting of affected muscles, contraction of tendons
and a definite withering of the affected limb. In all
stages, severe and chronic pain continues to be a major
complaint.
If your Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy is a result of someone
else's negligence (actions or failure to act), you need a
legal professional with specific experience in handling RSD
cases. An attorney can discuss with you the possibility of a
failure by your physician to timely diagnosis RSD (usually
within a three month period), a failure to refer you to a
neurologist or a pain clinic, or a failure to properly treat
your condition. These actions may constitute medical
negligence and if so, you may be entitled to compensation
for your injuries. Munley, Munley & Cartwright attorneys
specialize in RSD and have successfully litigated and
settled many negligence claims.
CLINICAL SYMPTOMS OF RSD
Pain is
the first and primary complaint, described as extremely
severe and burning & aching in nature
Swelling and joint tenderness
Loss or
diminished motor function
Muscle
spasms
Increased sweating
Changes
in skin temperature and color
Bone
softening - patchy osteoporosis
With early
treatment, you may keep complex regional pain syndrome from
getting worse. Sometimes the condition improves and in some
cases, if treatment is started early enough, the symptoms
may completely disappear. Unfortunately, those who suffer
more severe symptoms of a long duration do not respond
effectively to treatment. Those people may benefit from a
pain management program aimed specifically at dealing with
chronic pain. Treatment for this disease may be extensive,
prolonged and costly. RSD can be financially devastating
since you may not be able to work. This, in turn, can lead
to depression and emotional difficulties. Be sure that you
contact an attorney to determine if you may be entitled to
compensation for the pain and suffering that you are going
through.
Call Munley, Munley & Cartwright today to discuss your
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome and to preserve your
rights under the law. We can be reached at 1-800-318-LAW1 or
contact us via email.
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