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Experienced Representation For Southern Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Claims

A construction site injury could give rise to CRPS

On Behalf of | Feb 18, 2020 | Injuries On Construction Sites |

The list of hazards on construction sites in Minnesota is endless. Sometimes, a victim of a construction site injury develops a condition called complex regional pain syndrome. CRPS causes the person to experience more severe pain in proportion to the initial injury.

Not much is known about the causes of CRPS, but the symptoms can change over time. They include swelling, continuous throbbing and burning pain, and sensitivity to cold or  touch. Also, skin color changes from white to blue or red can occur, and the skin temperature can alternate between hot and cold. Changes in nail and hair growth can occur along with changes in the texture of the skin.

The worker might experience stiffness in the joints, tremors, muscle spasms and the loss of muscle tissue. This typically causes weakness and might lead to the loss of mobility of the affected body part. CRPS could spread from one area to another; for example, if one leg was injured, the pain might spread to the other leg. At that stage, the condition might be irreversible.

Workers who develop CRPS in the aftermath of a construction site injury might be unable to return to work for an extended period. Many might have questions about eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits, and also how to prove the condition to be work-related. A Minnesota attorney who has experience in fighting for the rights of injured workers can take over and navigate the administrative and legal steps of the claims process. If the CRPS caused long-term disability, securing maximum benefits could be particularly challenging.