Fibromyalgia Claim Solicitors
The trauma associated with fibromyalgia, its lifelong impact and often complex diagnostic process, all mean that for someone who wishes to make a claim for developing fibromyalgia as the result of someone else’s negligence, working with a lawyer who has substantial expertise in this area is vital.
The personal injury solicitors at JMW have a great deal of experience when it comes to helping people make a claim if they have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia after an accident that wasn’t their fault, and we understand the needs and sensitivities sufferers of this chronic pain disease have. Our goal is to work with you to get you every penny of the compensation to which you are entitled to, when the defendant's insurer accepts liability on their client's behalf
If you believe that your situation means you could be entitled to make a claim for fibromyalgia compensation, then call our experienced solicitors on 0345 872 6666 or fill in our online form to let us when is best to contact you.
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How JMW Can Help
Our solicitors have vast experience helping individuals who suffer from fibromyalgia caused by another person’s negligence. We understand that coming to terms with the impact it can have on your life is incredibly difficult, which is why we handle all cases with the utmost care. Our experience allows us to help sufferers and their families come to terms with these new circumstances, and provide comprehensive legal advice on securing financial compensation.
In our experience as legal professionals, some fibromyalgia sufferers have had their symptoms mistaken for whiplash and soft tissue injuries. We believe it is important that someone who is suffering from pain - whether or not triggered by an accident - makes sure they are not compelled to accept a diagnosis if their symptoms have not subsided.
We will assist you in securing compensation that will help give you the freedom to recover and rehabilitate stress free. We offer you a no win, no fee service, which means there is no financial risk for you if you do choose to make a claim with us.
Anyone who has ever suffered an incapacitating injury will know just how much it can impact day-to-day life. A claim for your suffering from fibromyalgia can include compensation for financial losses such as:
- Loss of earnings
- Medical costs, including prescriptions
- The costs associated with having to change your lifestyle, for instance, having to travel in taxis due to the pain, or having regular massages or CBT, both of which can help to manage symptoms
Meet Our Team of Fibromyalgia Solicitors
Our personal injury team at JMW is made up of dedicated and experienced professionals, here to offer compassionate support and expert guidance to help you through your fibromyalgia claim.
Can I Make a Personal Injury Claim for Fibromyalgia?
If you developed fibromyalgia due to someone else's actions or negligence, or you already suffered from it and it got worse, you may be able to make a fibromyalgia compensation claim. To do so successfully, you will need to provide adequate evidence that you suffered an injury and that it had a significant impact on your life. Our team of expert personal injury solicitors can help you to identify medical and mental health professionals to assess how the accident affected you and create tangible reports for use as evidence.
To find out whether you can make a fibromyalgia personal injury claim, speak to our team today.
Why Choose JMW?
Due to our successes, JMW has received recognition as a top UK law firm by The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners guides. Our personal injury team has contributed to this significantly - see a list of our case studies here.
We understand the stress that can come with personal injuries. With fibromyalgia, this can be even more important due to the fact that the condition can be caused and worsened by stress itself. With this in mind, our team approaches fibromyalgia compensation claims with the case and sensitivity required. We will work closely with you to ensure you understand the complex legal process. By facilitating communications between the opposing party and any medical professionals involved in the evidence gathering, we will take the responsibility from your shoulders so you can focus on making a recovery.
If you require support while your case is ongoing, we will help you to identify and organise therapy and medical treatment.
If we do require you to gather evidence for your case, we will guide you through exactly how to do it and ensure that you feel confident discussing any aspects of your injury with the necessary parties.
When you work with JMW to claim compensation for fibromyalgia, you can be confident that you have the expertise of nationwide-renowned legal professionals at your back.
FAQS About Fibromyalgia Claims
- What is fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a debilitating chronic pain condition that leaves sufferers in near-constant pain or discomfort. It can cause pain all over the body, from the neck to lower back and knees. Other common symptoms fibromyalgia sufferers can experience include chronic fatigue, mood swings, bowel and bladder issues, numbness and cognitive dysfunction.
The condition is often misunderstood and awareness remains low, even though it can have a very serious impact on a person's day-to-day life. Some people who suffer from fibromyalgia do not realise that the condition is the cause of their suffering, and may believe they are instead suffering from something else prior to being correctly diagnosed.
This infographic provides more explanation on what fibromyalgia is, and how it might be misdiagnosed.
- What causes fibromyalgia?
The cause of fibromyalgia is unclear, however, it is currently believed to be related to the balance of serotonin and substance P in the brain. This affects the central nervous system. This may be due to stress or physical trauma.
Doctors also have reason to believe that fibromyalgia is more likely to occur in patients whose parents had it too.
- Can a car accident cause fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia can appear in those who have been involved in a car accident, either directly due to a physical injury or because of the stress of going through the situation. Car accidents can also cause fibromyalgia already present in a car accident victim to worsen.
Often, fibromyalgia from car accidents can be misdiagnosed as other conditions caused by the physical impact, such as whiplash. JMW has dealt with cases where this has happened, and we have successfully pursued a fibromyalgia after car accident settlement after facilitating a further diagnosis from an independent medical professional.
- Is fibromyalgia a disability?
Fibromyalgia is classified as a disability under section six of the Equality Act 2010, which describes a disability as a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
- Can fibromyalgia be caused by a car accident?
It is possible for a car accident to cause fibromyalgia as the condition can be misdiagnosed as whiplash. If you have been involved in an accident that was caused by somebody else’s negligence, you are entitled to make a car accident fibromyalgia claim. You are also entitled to compensation if you already suffer from fibromyalgia and have been involved in a car accident that has made the condition worse. Simply call our team today and we will help you to make a compensation for fibromyalgia after car accident claim.
- What is the average settlement for a fibromyalgia accident claim?
The compensation amounts of personal injury claims can vary widely due to the many factors involved. Your compensation amount will be calculated based on your wage losses and medical expenses, added support that you may need going forward, and the physical and mental trauma that you suffered. For fibromyalgia claims, these factors can be very severe or relatively mild in the early stages of the condition, making it difficult to calculate an average settlement for fibromyalgia. UK claimants can receive claim compensation awards valued from thousands of pounds to over a million.
We have secured fibromyalgia payouts for clients in all states of injury - from those who are in severe pain due to long-undiagnosed fibromyalgia to those who have developed it recently as the byproduct of an accident.
To get an idea of how much compensation for fibromyalgia you may be able to claim, speak to our solicitors today. We will hold a no-obligation phone consultation to understand your issue and explain how we may be able to help.
- Why should I seek the help of a specialist fibromyalgia lawyer?
If you have suffered an injury due to the actions or negligence of someone else, you should not have to pay for it. Fibromyalgia compensation can be of considerable value and will help you to pay for any expenses that you incur directly due to your accident. Medical care and therapy can be expensive and you may struggle to cover these costs without insurance or a compensation claim.
Personal injury law is complex and claiming for fibromyalgia requires a deep understanding of the law and access to expert opinions; you will not be able to go through the process without the help of fibromyalgia solicitors. The help of a specialist solicitor will be crucial if you plan to seek compensation, and the team at JMW have been ranked as some of the best in the country.
Case Study
Fibromyalgia suffered in a car accident - £290,000 in compensation awarded
JMW has secured £290,000 compensation for a client after she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia as a result of a serious car crash.
The Case
Mrs H suffered whiplash-style injuries, including stiffness, neck pain and a headache, after being thrown back and forth in her seat after the car she was in was hit by another car. Mrs H was in pain for the days following the accident. Her symptoms worsened in the months after the accident, and it was clear that Mrs H was not suffering from whiplash. Mrs H was ultimately diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition.
Diagnosing Fibromyalgia
At the start of Mrs H's claim, a letter of claim was sent to the defendant's insurer, who admitted liability for the accident. For many days and months after her accident, Mrs H was in pain, struggling with household tasks and suffering from depression, and required a lot of help from her husband.
We arranged for Mrs H to be examined by an independent medical expert, who advised that Mrs H was potentially suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, had sprained her spine and experienced a soft tissue injury to her chest as a result of the accident.
Mrs H also had a number of symptoms not typically associated with a whiplash-style injury; headaches, bruising sensations across her body, stiffness, depression and insomnia. Mrs H was referred to a rheumatologist by her GP, who diagnosed her with fibromyalgia.
Preparing Evidence
We had an independent rheumatologist examine Mrs H, who made a medical report we could disclose to the defendant’s insurer, who then made an offer of £25,000 to settle the case.
We discussed Mrs H's claim with a barrister, including her future loss of earnings, as Mrs H was to become a managing director at her company before her accident. Jason did not feel the £25,000 was a reasonable offer given the circumstances, and the limits fibromyalgia put on her capacity to work, and advised Mrs H to reject it, which she did.
Evidence to support Mrs H's case was gathered, including witness statements from her employers, her husband, her mother-in-law and Mrs H, all of which were disclosed to the defendant's insurer. Jason also compiled a Schedule of Loss for Mrs H, obtained updated medical records and got Mrs H re-examined by the rheumatologist.
It was also appropriate for us to get a care assistance expert to provide us with a report on Mrs H's ongoing care requirements, so Jason arranged that appointment. We liaised with the defendant’s insurer during this time.
Issuing Court Proceedings
The defendant's insurers then employed a solicitor to manage the claim. We also received the second report from the rheumatologist, which said Mrs H's condition should be classed as moderately severe.
We received an offer of £125,000 from the defendant's solicitor to settle the case, which was still not appropriate, and we advised Mrs H to reject it. We also received the care assistant expert’s report, which advised Mrs H would need additional support to meet her needs.
We took a second witness statement, providing an update on Mrs H's condition. As her case was approaching its limitation deadline, we issued court proceedings against the defendant. We served the care assistant expert’s report, alongside the revised schedule of loss and provided the defendant’s solicitor with access to Mrs H's medical records.
The defendant’s solicitor also requested that Mrs H be examined by their own medical expert and, while they still accepted liability for the initial road traffic accident, they required proof of Mrs H’s fibromyalgia. We agreed to the examination and invited them to a joint settlement meeting to settle the case early.
Joint Settlement Meeting
Our proposal of a joint settlement meeting was accepted. At the meeting, Jason, our barrister, and the defendant’s legal team, undertook heavy negotiation on the case. After starting with a low offer, we were able to agree a settlement of £290,000, which Mrs H was extremely happy with. She has said of Jason: "Jason and his colleagues didn’t once make me feel like 'just another file' on someone's desk and everyone at JMW has been very attentive, sympathetic and genuine. I know Jason has put a lot of work into my case and I'm very grateful to him."
Misdiagnosis and Mistaking Fibromyalgia for Whiplash
One of the major issues when it comes to the misdiagnosis of fibromyalgia is that it is often mistaken for whiplash. When this happens, it can add years onto a person's recovery process because they are not being treated correctly. An incorrect diagnosis can have very serious consequences, therefore, a claim for compensation represents a way to make up for any unnecessary pain and suffering or delayed treatment experienced as a result. It is also why using a solicitor experienced in dealing with fibromyalgia claims is important; they will recognise problems you’ve encountered that other solicitors may not, and be able to guide you towards the best treatment package possible that will aid your recovery.
Suffering Depression Following an Accident
The psychological impact of an accident is something that is also taken into account as part of a claim for compensation. If a person's life is negatively impacted following an accident, it is only natural that they may suffer from depression or similar issues as a consequence. Depression is a symptom of fibromyalgia, and could indicate a more serious problem.
Talk to Us
To speak to one of our personal injury solicitors about making a claim for fibromyalgia, simply call us on 0345 872 6666. Otherwise, complete the online form and one of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
