Fibromyalgia Compensation Claims

Approximately one in 20 people live with Fibromyalgia Syndrome. What is Fibromyalgia? It is a life-altering disorder characterised by long-term musculoskeletal pain and various other symptoms, like insomnia, fibro-fog, and intense fatigue. Fibromyalgia is often known to occur as a result of a physically or emotionally traumatic event, like an accident. FT Chronic Pain Solicitors can help you recover losses related to Fibromyalgia which has developed as a result of such an event. If you have developed Fibromyalgia or any other chronic pain disorder due to the negligence, recklessness, or malice of someone else, a Fibromyalgia lawyer may be able to assist you by claiming compensation on your behalf!

As a patient, Fibromyalgia can often feel like a mysterious disorder because it manifests differently in each person. Fibromyalgia tends to have a genetic component. While not everyone within a family will develop Fibromyalgia, hereditary features can make one more susceptible to developing the condition. Often susceptibility or a predisposition to developing fibromyalgia is argued by insurers/ compensators who will try to reduce the value of compensation claims. Insurers will typically argue the diagnosis and will allege a psychological cause of symptoms. Often insurers will attempt to limit their liability by saying that in the event the Claimant is found to have the condition, that they had pre-existing vulnerability and that predisposition meant that in the absence of the alleged trigger, they would have gone on to develop fibromyalgia in any event. The alternative argument is that of malingering, i.e. bringing a claim for financial gain/ fraud. It is for this reason that surveillance is a common feature of fibromyalgia claims. Such complex arguments can affect the compensation awarded. It therefore is essential to have a lawyer who has the experience and knowledge of fibromyalgia compensation claims  to respond on your behalf.

While the predominant symptom of Fibromyalgia is chronic, widespread pain, several symptoms come along with it. Identifying these symptoms is a good way to know that you should see a doctor for a Fibromyalgia diagnosis. Some of the common symptoms of Fibromyalgia include:

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• Sensitivity: Those with Fibromyalgia often report an intense sensitivity to even the slightest touch. Even a gentle hug can be painful during these flare-ups.

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• Fatigue: A person with Fibromyalgia will often feel completely depleted of energy for extended periods of time.

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• Muscle Stiffness: Fibromyalgia can cause muscles all over one’s body to feel tight, rigid, and impossible to relax fully. Often, muscles are described as feeling knotted.

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• Fibro-Fog: This is a term used for the mental haze experienced by most people with Fibromyalgia. This limits one’s memory, concentration, and cognitive processing.

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• Skin, Hair, and Nails: Fibromyalgia often alters the body’s ability to maintain healthy skin, hair, and nails. Fingernails and toenails may become brittle, hair may grow in unusual places, and skin may turn blotchy or discoloured.

Fortunately, we've moved past the era when Fibromyalgia was labelled a “controversial disorder.” However, its diagnosis remains complex. In litigation, it's still a contentious issue, especially since proving it was caused by alleged negligence can lead to significant compensation awards. GP’s will look to eliminate a series of other disorders with similar symptoms before making the diagnosis such as lupus, multiple sclerosis (MS) or rheumatoid arthritis.

These can be identified by giving blood and urine samples and also with X-rays and other scans. Doctors continue to the 18-point trigger point test to make the diagnosis. A patient must have pain in 3 to 6 areas of the body to make the diagnosis. Some doctors have moved away from this type of exam in preference of a more simple test and diagnosis of chronic pain which is when someone has widespread pain for three months or longer, this may be described as Fibromyalgia, although probably falls short of the full diagnosis. Fibromyalgia can co-exist with psychological illnesses , such as depression and anxiety.

Since Fibromyalgia causes every individual to develop their own unique combination of symptoms, each patient needs a unique course of treatment. There is currently no cure for Fibromyalgia. All forms of treatment focus on managing symptoms and increasing the patient’s quality of life  and tend not to offer false hope. A “cure” is seen as learning to live alongside the condition. People are best treated in a pain clinic as part of a pain management programme where treatment is multi-disciplinary and includes  treatments such as:

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• Pain Medication

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• Physical therapy

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• Counselling or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

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• Lifestyle Changes

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• Occupational Therapy