Fort Lauderdale RSD Lawyer | Englander Peebles

A Fort Lauderdale RSD lawyer can be a strong ally when an accident or medical error leaves you facing lifelong pain. A single event such as a car crash, a slip and fall, or a surgical mistake can lead to far more than an initial injury.

For many people, it begins an ongoing struggle with severe, persistent pain. If you have been diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), you already understand how difficult this condition can be. The constant burning, the intense sensitivity, and the changes in your body are real, and they are not your fault.

When someone’s negligence caused the injury that triggered your condition, you have the right to seek accountability. Call Englander Peebles at (954) 500-4878 to speak with a Fort Lauderdale RSD lawyer in a free and confidential consultation.

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Table of Contents

• How a Fort Lauderdale RSD Lawyer Protects Your Rights
• Understanding RSD and CRPS After an Accident
• Establishing Negligence in Your South Florida RSD Claim
• Calculating the Full Value of a Lifelong RSD Injury
• Navigating Florida’s Laws for Your RSD Claim
• Take the First Step with a Fort Lauderdale RSD Lawyer

How a Fort Lauderdale RSD Lawyer Protects Your Rights

Pursuing an RSD claim in South Florida requires a legal team that understands both the medical condition and the challenges of proving it. Insurance companies often question these claims because the pain is not visible and the condition is not widely understood.

At Englander Peebles, we develop a clear, well-supported case that demonstrates the seriousness of your condition and ties it directly to the accident that caused it.

Share Your Story with a Fort Lauderdale RSD Attorney

Your case begins with a free consultation where we take the time to understand your experience. We’ll talk through how the accident happened, when your symptoms started, and how your condition affects both work and home life. We use this consultation to assess your case and explain your options clearly.

Investigating Accidents That Lead to RSD in Broward County

Our legal team conducts a detailed investigation into the event that caused your injury. We investigate accidents across Broward County, whether it’s a car crash on I‑95, a slip in a restaurant, or a fall on an uneven sidewalk, gathering the evidence to prove fault. This includes police reports, witness accounts, surveillance footage, and property records that support your claim.

Expert Support to Build a Strong RSD Claim

We work closely with medical specialists and financial experts to document the full impact of your condition. A diagnosis from a neurologist or pain management specialist is only the beginning.

Our team also partners with experts to outline the care you’ll need in the future and explain how your condition affects your ability to earn a living. Their input helps turn your personal experience into clear, persuasive evidence.

Negotiating with Insurance Companies in RSD Cases

Insurance companies often try to downplay an RSD claim or blame symptoms on unrelated conditions. Our firm handles all communication with insurers, presenting thorough documentation of your injuries and financial losses.

We respond to low settlement offers with solid evidence and steady advocacy, giving you the freedom to focus on your health while we handle the legal process.

Understanding RSD and CRPS After an Accident

CRPS, also called RSD, can develop after an injury. Instead of healing normally, your nervous system keeps sending pain signals long after recovery. Instead of the body healing normally, the pain response continues far beyond what would be expected. This ongoing pain often affects how the affected area feels and functions, and it can make daily activities very difficult.

What Is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

After an injury, the body usually sends signals that guide the healing process. In someone with CRPS, those signals do not shut off when they should. The nervous system keeps sending pain messages even after the injury has healed, which leads to long‑lasting pain and changes in how the area looks or feels.

The Difference Between CRPS‑I and CRPS‑II

There are two main types of this condition.

• CRPS-I (RSD): This is the most common form. It develops after an injury that did not directly damage a nerve, such as a fracture or a soft‑tissue injury.
• CRPS-II (Causalgia): This form occurs when there is a confirmed injury to a nerve. The symptoms are similar, but the cause is directly linked to nerve damage.

Recognizing Common RSD Symptoms and Progression

CRPS can develop differently for each person, but common signs include ongoing burning or stabbing pain, swelling, and sensitivity in the affected area. Over time, the skin and muscles may begin to show visible changes, and movement can become more limited. Documenting these changes is important when building a strong legal claim.

Establishing Negligence in Your South Florida RSD Claim

The foundation of an RSD injury claim is negligence. Your attorney must show that another party failed to act with reasonable care and that this failure directly caused the injury that led to your ongoing condition.

Accidents That Can Lead to an RSD Diagnosis in Broward County

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, can develop after many types of injuries. A Fort Lauderdale RSD attorney regularly handles cases in Broward County where this condition began after incidents that could have been prevented with proper care and attention.

Traffic Collisions

Motor vehicle accidents are one of the most common sources of trauma that can lead to RSD. High‑impact crashes often cause fractures, crush injuries, or soft tissue damage. Even after the visible injuries heal, the nervous system may continue to send pain signals that lead to the lasting symptoms of CRPS.

Whether the accident happened on I‑95, near downtown Fort Lauderdale, or on smaller neighborhood roads, documenting the connection between the crash and your symptoms is a key part of building a claim.

Premises Liability Incidents

Slip and fall accidents are another frequent cause. Property owners are expected to keep their premises safe.

When they fail to repair hazards or provide proper warnings, serious injuries can happen. A fall on a wet surface in a Pompano Beach restaurant or on an uneven sidewalk near the Las Olas shopping district can result in broken bones or nerve damage that triggers RSD.

A Fort Lauderdale RSD lawyer can investigate maintenance records, surveillance footage, and witness statements to show how negligence played a role.

Medical Negligence

In some cases, medical treatment itself leads to the trauma that sparks CRPS. A surgery performed improperly, an injection that strikes a nerve, or a cast applied so tightly that it restricts circulation can all cause lasting damage.

When medical professionals fail to meet the standard of care, their actions can set off a chain of events that leads to RSD. In these cases, proving the link between the procedure and the resulting condition is especially important.

Proving Negligence in an RSD Case

To recover compensation, your lawyer must show that your injury and resulting condition were caused by someone else’s carelessness. This means proving that the other party had a legal duty to act carefully, that they failed to meet that duty, that their actions directly caused your injury, and that you suffered real harm as a result, such as medical expenses, lost income, and the ongoing effects of living with a condition like CRPS.

Establishing these points allows your attorney to build a strong case on your behalf and pursue potential compensation.

Overcoming Causation Challenges in RSD Claims

One of the most complex parts of an RSD case is proving that the condition developed as a direct result of the accident or incident in question. Insurance companies often argue that RSD appeared without a clear cause or that it stems from something unrelated.

A Fort Lauderdale RSD lawyer works to build a detailed timeline, beginning with the date of the accident and continuing through the first appearance of symptoms and the formal diagnosis. Medical experts can provide reports and testimony that explain how trauma can lead to this condition, while financial and vocational experts can document the effects on your work and daily life.

By combining these details, your legal team can present a strong case that supports your right to compensation.

Calculating the Full Value of a Lifelong RSD Injury

Being diagnosed with RSD is considered a catastrophic injury with lifelong effects, and any compensation pursued should reflect that reality. Valuing this type of claim is not just about adding up medical expenses; it requires taking into account the full impact of living with this condition for the rest of your life.

Quantifying Economic Damages in an RSD Claim

These damages cover your direct financial losses, both past and future.

• Lifelong Medical Care: This is a major component. It includes costs for pain management specialists, neurologists, physical and occupational therapists, psychologists, and costly treatments like ketamine infusions, spinal cord stimulators, and ongoing prescription medications.
• Lost Income and Earning Potential: We calculate the wages you have already lost and project your diminished capacity to earn an income in the future. If you can no longer work in your chosen field, this represents a significant financial loss.
• Modifications and Assistive Care: This may include costs for home modifications like ramps, vehicle adaptations, or even the expense of in-home assistance for daily tasks that are now too painful to perform.

By carefully documenting each of these areas, a Fort Lauderdale RSD lawyer can present a clear picture of your financial losses and pursue the full compensation you need to secure long‑term stability.

Acknowledging the Immense Non-Economic Damages

These damages address the profound, personal losses that do not have a clear price tag. For many with RSD, this is the most significant part of their experience. This includes compensation for the daily physical pain, the emotional distress of living with an invisible illness, the loss of enjoyment of life, and the impact on your relationships with family and friends.

Navigating Florida’s Laws for Your RSD Claim

Florida’s personal injury laws directly affect how an RSD claim is handled, and having an attorney who knows these laws can make a significant difference. A Fort Lauderdale RSD lawyer can guide you through these rules while building a strong case on your behalf.

Florida’s Two-Year Statute of Limitations

It’s important to act promptly after an accident. Under Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(a), most negligence lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date of the incident. If you miss this deadline, you could lose your right to seek compensation in court.

In March 2023, Florida shortened the statute of limitations for most negligence claims from four years to two years. To understand how this change might affect your case, it’s best to speak with an attorney about the laws that apply to your situation.

Florida’s Modified Comparative Negligence Rule

Florida law, as outlined in Florida Statute § 768.81, uses a modified comparative negligence system. If you are found partially at fault for the accident, any compensation you receive will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

For instance, if you are found 10% at fault, your recovery would be reduced by that amount. If a jury finds you more than 50% at fault, you may not be able to recover damages.

A Fort Lauderdale RSD lawyer can work to protect you from unfair blame and present evidence that supports your claim.

How Disability Benefits May Relate to Your RSD Case

Severe RSD symptoms can make it difficult or impossible to work. While an RSD injury claim and a disability claim are separate, strong medical documentation is important for both.

The Social Security Administration provides guidelines on how conditions like CRPS are evaluated, and resources from the Florida Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can also help support your case.

Take the First Step with a Fort Lauderdale RSD Lawyer

Living with RSD can feel isolating, with constant pain and the challenge of explaining a condition many people do not understand. A legal claim is not only about financial compensation but also about seeking accountability and securing resources that can help you move forward.

Our team is here to guide you and fight for the resources you need every step of the way. You do not have to navigate this process on your own. Call us at (954) 500-4878 to schedule your free, no‑obligation consultation with a dedicated Fort Lauderdale RSD lawyer.

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Englander Peebles, Accident & Injury Lawyers – Fort Lauderdale Office