Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Lawyers
Brian Barr Solicitors are a leading TOS lawyer firm
Claim now

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Compensation Claims

Making Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Claims can ensure you get your life back on track following a diagnosis of TOS. As with many chronic pain conditions, suffering from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome means fighting a daily battle with constant pain, sometimes looking perfectly healthy to the outside world.

No Win No Fee TOS Claims

Getting an official diagnosis of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome can be an uphill battle, as not all medical professionals are aware of the signs and symptoms of this condition, and many may disregard your claims of pain. This condition may affect your professional and social life and make daily tasks difficult.

At Brian Barr Solicitors, we understand that no amount of monetary compensation will ever make up for the struggle you’re going through. However, having expert legal support through your Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Claim can help you receive compensation for any expenses you have incurred, or any loss of earnings for being out of work. Of course, we will fight for you to receive compensation for your pain and suffering, especially for cases of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome caused by traumatic events, or Repetitive Strain Injury.

What is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) is a term used to define a group of disorders that affect the blood vessels or nerves that pass between the highest rib and the collarbone. In some circumstances, these can become compressed.

As a result of the compression of these nerves and blood vessels, a Thoracic Outlet Syndrome sufferer may experience tingling, pain and numbness in the neck, shoulders, and upper extremities.

brain-injury

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome can be caused by many things, but it’s common for TOS to manifest following a traumatic accident or as a result of repetitive strain injuries on the workplace. This condition reportedly affects female patients more often than male patients, but diagnosis of TOS is commonly overlooked. It’s not rare for sufferers to wait a long time before receiving an official diagnosis and beginning effective treatment.

If you have received a diagnosis of TOS that you believe has been caused by the negligence of another party, contact our Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Solicitors. Our team at Brian Barr Solicitors is specialised in chronic pain compensation claims and can help you recover compensation for your injuries and pain, and get your life back on track. We understand that you may have begun legal proceedings with a law firm who does not specialise in chronic pain, so we can move your Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Claims to us to give you specialist legal support.

Can I claim compensation for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?

If your Thoracic Outlet Syndrome was caused, or worsened, because of the negligence of another party, especially one who owed you a duty of care, you may be entitled to make a Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Claim. This will include cases caused by traumatic events, such as slip, trip, or fall, road traffic accident, or medical negligence.

The most important part of your claim, and the only way to prove its validity, is to prove the negligence of another party, and the causation of your condition – or worsening of it – because of their negligence.

A medical examination will be carried out to assess your symptoms, and their professional opinion on the severity of your condition and the effects of the traumatic event will be crucial in proving the negligence of the guilty party.

If you believe your condition was worsened or caused by negligence, contact Brian Barr Solicitors today to assess and begin your Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Claim.

Do I have a time limit to claim compensation for TOS?

If your Thoracic Outlet Syndrome was caused, or worsened, because of the negligence of another party, especially one who owed you a duty of care, you may be entitled to make a Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Claim. This will include cases caused by traumatic events, such as slip, trip, or fall, road traffic accident, or medical negligence.

The most important part of your claim, and the only way to prove its validity, is to prove the negligence of another party, and the causation of your condition – or worsening of it – because of their negligence.

doctor

A medical examination will be carried out to assess your symptoms, and their professional opinion on the severity of your condition and the effects of the traumatic event will be crucial in proving the negligence of the guilty party.

If you believe your condition was worsened or caused by negligence, contact Brian Barr Solicitors today to assess and begin your Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Claim.

Contact our Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Solicitors

At Brian Barr Solicitors, we have a deep understanding of chronic pain conditions and the ramifications these can have on your social, professional, and personal life.

If you have received a TOS diagnosis, you may be entitled to make a Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Claim. Contact Brian Barr Solicitors today, and we will put you in touch with our expert team of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Solicitors.

Our specialist legal team is caring and compassionate, and understanding your position and the pain you have endured is our priority. We can offer you specialised support, and will always fight for you to reach the best possible outcome.

We understand that no amount of compensation can make up for your suffering. However, you may have incurred a number of expenses such as adaptations to your home or vehicle, specialist medical support, or the loss of earnings from being off work for extended periods of time. Brian Barr Solicitors can help you recover your losses, and compensate you for your suffering with a fair amount of compensation. We can support you from the collection of evidence, all the way to court case advice – if necessary.

Looking For A Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Lawyer To Represent You?

Get in touch today to see how Brian Barr Solicitors can help you.

Success Stories from Brian Barr Solicitors

Read more about how we support client throughout the UK to claim compensation for their injuries or chronic pain conditions. Brian Barr Solicitors consistently achieves great results and high compensation amounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome can affect both nerves and blood vessels. Depending on the way these are affected, TOS can be categorised into 3 main types:

  • Neurogenic: This type of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome occurs when the brachial plexus becomes compressed. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves which manage movement and sensation of your shoulders and upper extremities.
  • Arterial: Arterial Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is the rarest of the types of TOS, but one of the most dangerous. Arterial TOS affects the arteries under the collarbone, and can cause aneurysm, the bulging of an artery.
  • Venous: When the veins that pass below the clavicle are compressed, Venous Thoracic Outlet Syndrome may occur. This type of TOS often involves the presence of blood clots.

Each case of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is different, and more than one type can coexist for one patient. When multiple parts of the Thoracic Outlet are suffering from excessive pressure, both the nerves and veins or arteries can be damaged. The type, or mix of types, of TOS can influence the symptoms suffered by TOS patients.

Symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome can vary greatly depending on the type of TOS you may be suffering from, the severity of your condition, and other risk factors such as age and sex. If you consistently suffer from any number of the following symptoms, you should seek medical advice as soon as possible, and obtain an official diagnosis if Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is found to be occurring.

  • Blood clots in the upper extremities and thorax
  • Cold sensation and discoloration in the arms and hands
  • Arm or neck fatigue
  • Weak grip
  • Absent or weak pulse in the arms
  • Pulsating lump near the clavicle
  • Pain or swelling of the arms
  • Tingling or numbness of the upper extremities

These symptoms can commonly be overlooked by patients and medical professionals alike. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is often misunderstood, and reaching a diagnosis with a treatment plan for the future can be challenging. If your diagnosis of TOS has been delayed or mistaken for another condition as a result of medical negligence, our team at Brian Barr Solicitors can help you.

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome can be difficult to diagnose, as symptoms can vary between different patients in type and severity. TOS sufferers will typically undergo a review of their medical history and a physical examination, looking for any physical evidence of the condition. This can include lumps, discoloration, or absent or weak pulses in the arms. The range of motion of the arms is also commonly tested.

Confirmation of a TOS diagnosis will include a series of medical tests, such as:

  • Ultrasound: This is typically the first medical test taken to confirm a diagnosis. It’s used to rule out other conditions affecting the vascular system.
  • X-Ray: X-ray scans can be useful to rule out other conditions, and test for the presence of an additional cervical rib which may compress or construct blood vessels and nerves in the thoracic area.
  • CT Scans: A CT scan can produce more precise mapping of the vascular network of the thorax and highlight any compression of vessels in the area.
  • MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging is often used to detect the location, cause, and severity of the compression of blood vessels. This test may reveal congenital anomalies, and different positions of your head and shoulders may be required by your doctor to get a better picture of the veins and arteries.
  • Arteriography and venography: These tests involve inserting a catheter that moves through the vascular network – in the arteries for arteriographies, and in veins for venographies. A dye is then injected to aid X-ray imaging of the blood vessels, in order to clearly see any obstructions or compression. Clot-dissolving medication can also be administered through the catheter if a clot is found during the examination.
  • EMG: An Electromyography can detect nerve damage by using electrodes connected to your muscles while they rest and contract.

If the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is diagnosed at an early stage, conservative treatments will likely be considered before resorting to any surgical procedure. Some of the treatments that may be planned include:

  • Physical Therapy: this is the first type of treatment for Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. The therapy involves a number of exercises to strengthen and stretch the muscles in your shoulders and chest to improve your posture and range of motion. Exercises of this kind have proven successful in relieving symptoms in Neurogenic TOS sufferers.
  • Medication: you may be prescribed medication to treat pain or inflammation. Some patients may also benefit from muscle relaxants, as these can ease the compression of blood vessels and nerves in the thorax. Blood-thinning or clot-dissolving medication can also be prescribed for Venous or Arterial Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. These may be prescribed in conjunction with anticoagulants to prevent blood clots from reoccurring.

For cases of TOS which are significantly more severe, surgery may be necessary. This will usually be carried out by a thoracic or vascular surgery specialist.

The procedure used to treat Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is called Thoracic Outlet Decompression; this involves the removal of a muscle and part of the first rib to ease the pressure on the blood vessels or nerves.

The compression of blood vessels and nerves between the first rib and the clavicle that causes Thoracic Outlet Syndrome can happen because of a variety of circumstances, but the most common causes of TOS include:

  • Congenital Anomalies: TOS can be caused by anatomical defects that are inherited. For example, some cases of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome can be caused by the presence of an extra rib, known as a cervical rib, or the excessive tightness of the band between your spine and first rib.
  • Posture Issues: A poor posture can cause the compression of blood vessels and nerves in the thorax, if bad posture habits are sustained for long periods of time.
  • Traumatic Events: Accidents such as workplace accidents or road traffic accidents can cause changes in the internal physiology of the thorax that cause excessive compression. In many cases, the effects of the thoracic compression are revealed some time after the accident.

 

Many cases of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome cannot be traced back to one specific cause. The misunderstood nature of this chronic pain condition means that, at times, the exact circumstance that has caused the compressions of the blood vessels and nerves in the thoracic area is not identified. Especially for TOS caused by traumatic events such as accidents at work, it’s vital to seek advice from specialist Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Solicitors. You may be subject to time limits, and the collection of evidence must be carried out early and thoroughly. Contact Brian Barr Solicitors today to begin your Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Claims.

Instructing a solicitor who is specialised in chronic pain can truly make the difference for your claim. If you have started your claim with a different law firm, and you have found their lack of expertise is hurting your chances of success, contact us today.

Transferring your Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Claims to Brian Barr Solicitors is simple and hassle-free. Contrary to what you may have been led to believe, you have no legal obligation to stay with your current solicitors throughout the full legal process, and you are entitled to switch legal representation to a law firm with a specialisation in representing chronic pain patients in their compensation claims.

If you are not fully satisfied by the support you are currently receiving by your legal representatives, you are allowed to consider a new law firm. Contact Brian Barr today to explore your options.

What Our Clients Say...

Get In Touch

To start your claim, simply complete the form below and we will be
in touch shortly.