Chronic pain claims can be difficult to investigate, evidence and value. Symptoms may persist long after the original tissue injury has healed, while disputes frequently arise over diagnosis, causation, functional impact and the extent to which ongoing pain can be attributed to the index accident. 

The medico-legal evidence can become particularly complex where a claimant presents with neuropathic pain, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), or another persistent pain condition. Cases may unravel where terminology is used inconsistently, diagnostic criteria are unclear, alternative explanations have not been addressed, or the expert evidence does not adequately connect the claimant’s symptoms with their day-to-day function and work capacity. 

The presentation will consider how persistent pain should be understood after tissue healing, how solicitors can assess the strength of a chronic pain diagnosis, and what evidence is required to demonstrate functional disability and loss of earning capacity. It will also examine future treatment pathways, long-term prognosis and the ways in which pain medicine opinion can support or challenge case strategy and valuation. 

This session will help you to: 

• Understand how persistent pain after tissue healing may be explained and addressed in personal injury claims 
• Identify the features that distinguish neuropathic pain, CRPS and other chronic pain presentations 
• Assess whether expert evidence adequately addresses diagnosis, breach, causation and alternative explanations 
• Strengthen evidence of functional impact, disability, work restrictions and return-to-work capacity 
• Improve case strategy by understanding future treatment pathways and the limitations of pain management 
• Appreciate how prognosis, future care needs and long-term symptoms may affect quantum and settlement valuation