Chronic pain syndromes like Fibromyalgia can be life-altering following an accident. Our client was involved in a road collision when her stationary car was struck from behind causing the airbags to deploy. The initial impact of the collision caused our client a range of physical injuries, but as time went on, it became clear that the accident would have far more severe, long-term repercussions.
Initially our client sustained a series of injuries including bruising and abrasions to her left leg, neck and upper back pain radiating to her shoulders and upper arms, and bruising over her collarbone. Diagnosed with soft tissue injuries, she also experienced a worrying loss of sensation in her shin. In addition, she developed tinnitus (a persistent ringing in the ears) which has since added further distress.
Over time, our client’s condition worsened despite undergoing physiotherapy. She developed more widespread pain and was eventually diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, her condition causing widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties (‘fibro fog’). Her chronic pain syndrome forced her to reduce her work hours, and it is unlikely that she will be able to return to full-time employment. She also requires assistance with daily tasks and ongoing pain management support to help manage her condition.
Our client’s case was challenging from a legal standpoint due to the difficulty of proving a direct causal link between the accident and her subsequent Fibromyalgia diagnosis. While it was evident that her chronic pain syndrome emerged following the collision, establishing causation with sufficient medical evidence proved challenging, as Fibromyalgia is a complex condition often with unclear origins.
Despite the complexities, Brian Barr Solicitors pursued every possible avenue to strengthen our client’s case, ensuring we were thorough in collecting medical evidence and supporting documentation. After extensive negotiations, we secured a £125,000 compensation settlement, which reflects the considerable impact of the accident on her life and future earning capacity.
