According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the link between car accidents and fibromyalgia is a “controversial topic.” Doctors often struggle to determine whether car accident injuries like whiplash can cause fibromyalgia, or whether car accidents merely trigger pre-existing fibromyalgia. Different studies have come to dramatically different conclusions on this topic. That being said, the pain and life-altering consequences of fibromyalgia are undeniably real – and patients should do everything in their power to seek effective treatment. A car accident injury claim in Mississippi may make it easier to access this treatment, and this is something an injury attorney could assist with. Regardless of the causal link between fibromyalgia and car accidents, patients might want to call (228) 215-2787 and discuss their potential next steps with Lott Law.
What Is Fibromyalgia?
The Mayo Clinic describes fibromyalgia as a disorder that affects sleep, memory, energy, and mood. The most problematic symptom for patients is serious musculoskeletal pain across the entire body. While doctors have much to learn about this disorder, some believe fibromyalgia causes increased pain by affecting the spinal cord and brain. Fibromyalgia is associated with headaches, temporomandibular joint disorders, bowel issues, and psychological disorders. There is no known cure for fibromyalgia, although medication, rigorous exercise, and relaxation strategies could diminish symptoms. Fibromyalgia is a type of nervous system disorder.
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
The Mayo Clinic states that fibromyalgia symptoms often appear after physical trauma. This might be a fall, a sports injury, or a car accident. That said, some patients have developed fibromyalgia after experiencing severe psychological stress with no accompanying physical trauma. In other cases, fibromyalgia symptoms appear gradually over time.
Although the link between car accidents and fibromyalgia might be a controversial topic in some medical circles, many established medical authorities explicitly state that crashes can cause this nervous system disorder. The real question is why some people develop fibromyalgia after car crashes while others do not. One theory is that the psychological stress of a car accident affects people in different ways. For some, this traumatic event could cause the symptoms of fibromyalgia to manifest. A serious car accident is an example of a near-death experience (NDE), and this experience could potentially make the pain of physical injuries more pronounced due to the way fibromyalgia affects the nervous system.
Can Whiplash Cause Fibromyalgia?
At least one NIH study found that whiplash after a car accident is “not associated with increased risk of fibromyalgia.” However, many patients have developed fibromyalgia after experiencing whiplash. The problem is that whiplash and fibromyalgia share many of the same symptoms, and this makes it difficult for medical researchers to establish a causal relationship between the two. The main difference between fibromyalgia and whiplash is the duration of symptoms. While even relatively severe whiplash symptoms should disappear within a matter of months, patients may struggle with fibromyalgia for many years.
Those who develop whiplash after car accidents should monitor their symptoms and search for any potential signs of fibromyalgia. If symptoms persist beyond one year, fibromyalgia could be a possibility. Regardless of the specifics, it always makes sense to see a doctor as soon as possible after a car accident. Fibromyalgia can be life-altering, and it could stem from a relatively light case of whiplash. Even if injuries seem minor at first, there is no way of predicting how they could progress over the next few years. After seeking medical attention, patients might want to speak with Lott Law to discuss potential injury claims.
Wait Until Maximum Medical Improvement Before a Settlement
The persistent nature of fibromyalgia means that patients should be cautious when approaching financial settlements. Even if a doctor tells a patient that their whiplash symptoms should resolve within a few months, it makes sense to wait until maximum medical improvement (MMI) before accepting a settlement. The whiplash could lead to fibromyalgia, and this disorder could continue to cause issues for years. The fibromyalgia may increase in severity over time, making work and hobbies impossible.
If a patient accepts a settlement too early, they may not receive enough compensation to cover these life-altering issues. Patients may find it impossible to return to work with overwhelming fibromyalgia symptoms, leading to considerable lost income. A patient might also need to explore alternative, expensive medical treatments as they try to deal with their fibromyalgia. These issues can lead to financial losses that an initial settlement offer does not cover.
Can I Get Compensation for Car Accident Fibromyalgia?
If a victim can establish a causal link between their car accident and fibromyalgia, they should be able to recover compensation. Numerous medical sources clearly state that car accidents can cause fibromyalgia, and an experienced injury lawyer can help patients establish this connection with compelling evidence. For example, a patient might obtain an official diagnosis from a doctor who focuses on fibromyalgia patients. This doctor might also state that they believe the car accident triggered fibromyalgia symptoms. However, victims should be prepared for additional assessments by independent doctors chosen by the insurance company.
With all that said, Mississippi is an “at-fault” state. If a victim wants to pursue compensation for an injury like fibromyalgia, they must establish negligence. In other words, they must prove that someone else caused their injuries. An experienced injury lawyer may be able to prove that a negligent motorist caused the accident and the subsequent onset of fibromyalgia. Examples of driver negligence include distraction, intoxication, speeding, and much more. Mississippi is also a “pure comparative negligence” state, which means victims can still file claims even if they were mostly to blame for their own car accidents.
Discuss Car Accident Injuries With Lott Law
While fibromyalgia is a potential consequence of a car accident in Mississippi, patients should not rely solely on internet research when assessing their health conditions. A consultation with a doctor should be the first step after a car accident, and a medical professional can help patients determine whether they truly have fibromyalgia. With a clear diagnosis, patients can assess their next steps with experienced injury attorneys. With an auto accident claim, it may be possible to recover the necessary compensation to fund effective fibromyalgia treatment. To learn more about these potential steps, consider continuing this dialogue with Lott Law. Car accident victims may contact us at (228) 215-2787.
