Chronic pain
- Hafiz from the Alpha Content Team
- Aug 12
- 6 min read
Chronic pain
When you get hurt, you expect the pain to fade as your body heals. But sometimes, it doesn’t go away. Instead, it lingers for months or even years. That’s called chronic pain.
Chronic pain can be exhausting. It’s not just about the aching, burning, or stabbing feelings in your body. It can drain your energy, mess with your sleep, and make everyday tasks harder.
And if the pain was caused by an accident or someone else’s carelessness, you’re not only dealing with the pain — you’re also facing medical bills, work problems, and stress about the future.
This is where having the right lawyer matters. Chronic pain claims can be tricky, but with the right legal help, you can fight for the money you need to cover medical care, lost income, and the way your life has been changed.
What chronic pain really means
Chronic pain is pain that lasts for more than 12 weeks, even after the injury should have healed. It might be steady, or it might flare up on certain days or after certain activities.
Some people feel:
A deep, constant ache.
Sharp, shooting pains.
Burning or tingling.
Stiffness or soreness that makes movement hard.
And unlike short-term pain, which often fades with rest and treatment, chronic pain can stick
around for years — sometimes for life.
Why chronic pain happens
The reasons for chronic pain can be complicated. Sometimes, the injury caused damage that can’t fully heal. Other times, the body’s pain signals get stuck in “on” mode and keep sending warnings to the brain, even though the danger is over.
Possible causes include:
Nerve damage that sends constant pain signals.
Scar tissue pressing on muscles or nerves.
Inflammation that never fully clears up.
Changes in the brain’s pain pathways after trauma.
Accidents that can lead to chronic pain
A lot of different accidents can trigger chronic pain. Some examples include:
Car crashes — Back injuries, whiplash, or broken bones can all cause lasting pain.
Work accidents — Falls, heavy lifting injuries, or machinery accidents can do lasting damage.
Slip-and-fall incidents — These can cause severe sprains, fractures, or head injuries.
Sports accidents — Even with treatment, torn ligaments or dislocated joints can leave permanent pain.
Living with chronic pain day-to-day
When you have chronic pain, life changes in ways people without it often don’t see.
It can mean:
Struggling to get out of bed in the morning.
Choosing between going to work or resting because doing both is impossible.
Avoiding family outings or hobbies because they’ll make the pain worse.
Worrying about the future if you can’t work full time.
It’s not just about the physical discomfort — it’s the constant mental load of planning your life around pain.
How chronic pain affects your mental health
Chronic pain and mental health are connected. Living in pain can lead to:
Depression — Feeling hopeless when the pain doesn’t stop.
Anxiety — Worrying about flare-ups or how long you can keep working.
Irritability — Pain can make it harder to stay patient with people.
This mental strain can make the pain feel even worse, creating a cycle that’s hard to break.
Why proving chronic pain is tough
One of the biggest hurdles in a chronic pain case is proving it. There’s no single blood test or scan that can measure pain. You might feel terrible, but your medical images could look normal.
Insurance companies sometimes use this to claim you’re exaggerating or that the pain isn’t from the accident. That’s why documentation is key. Keeping a detailed record of your symptoms, treatments, and how pain affects your life can be powerful evidence.
How doctors document chronic pain
Medical professionals might:
Record your reported pain levels at each visit.
Run tests to rule out other causes.
Refer you to specialists who can confirm your condition.
Use functional tests to show how pain limits your movement.
The more detailed the medical records, the stronger your legal case will be.
The role of serious injury lawyers in chronic pain
claims
A serious injury lawyer can help by:
Gathering medical records and expert statements.
Talking to your doctors about how pain limits your life.
Fighting insurance companies that try to deny your claim.
Calculating the full cost of your injury, including future care and lost earnings.
These cases aren’t just about showing you were injured — they’re about proving how much that injury has changed your life.
Why experience matters in a lawyer
Not every lawyer knows how to handle chronic pain cases. You want someone who:
Has handled cases where pain wasn’t obvious in scans.
Knows which medical experts can explain chronic pain clearly.
Understands how to push back when insurance companies question your credibility.
What compensation can cover
A chronic pain claim can help you recover money for:
Medical bills — From doctor visits to physical therapy.
Medications and treatments — Even long-term ones.
Lost income — Past and future.
Reduced quality of life — Pain that stops you from enjoying your usual activities.
Mental health support — Therapy or counseling.
Settlement vs. trial
Most chronic pain cases settle before going to court. Settlement can mean less stress and a faster payout, but sometimes it’s worth going to trial if the offer isn’t fair.
A good lawyer will help you weigh the risks and benefits of each option.
Expert witnesses in chronic pain cases
Expert witnesses might include:
Pain specialists.
Neurologists.
Psychologists who understand the mental effects of chronic pain.
Their testimony can help a judge or jury understand that your pain is real, even if it can’t be seen on an X-ray.
Michigan-specific laws you should know
If you’re in Michigan:
You usually have three years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit.
Michigan’s comparative fault rules can reduce your award if you were partly at fault.
In car accident cases, Michigan’s no-fault insurance covers medical bills, but you may still sue if the injury is severe enough.
Tips for building a strong chronic pain case
See a doctor right away — Waiting too long can make it harder to link the pain to the accident.
Follow your treatment plan — It shows you’re trying to get better.
Keep a daily pain journal — Write down pain levels, what triggers it, and what you can’t do because of it.
Tell your lawyer everything — Even small details matter.
Stories from real cases (examples)
A factory worker in Detroit developed severe back pain after a fall. Even after surgery, the pain persisted, making it impossible for him to return to heavy labor. His lawyer secured a settlement that covered retraining for a new career.
A woman in Lansing suffered nerve damage in her leg after a car accident. The injury left her with constant burning pain. Her legal team brought in a pain specialist to testify, leading to a large award for future medical care.
These examples show that with the right approach, even invisible injuries can be taken seriously in court.
Staying strong during a long case
Chronic pain cases can take months or even years to settle or win in court. It’s important to:
Stay consistent with treatment.
Avoid posting about your activities on social media — insurance companies may twist it to claim you’re not hurt.
Lean on friends, family, or support groups.
How Alpha Book Publisher says to choose a lawyer
Alpha Book Publisher recommends looking for:
A proven history with chronic pain claims.
Clear communication.
A willingness to take your case to trial if needed.
Compassion for clients living with long-term pain.
Planning for life after your case
Winning your case isn’t the end of the story. Chronic pain often requires ongoing adjustments. Your compensation should help with:
Continued medical treatment.
Changes to your home or vehicle for comfort.
Training for new types of work if you can’t do your old job.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Chronic pain is more than an injury — it’s a constant challenge that can change every part of your life. If someone else’s actions caused it, you deserve to be heard and compensated fairly.
With strong medical documentation, a clear record of how pain affects your life, and a lawyer who knows how to fight for you, it’s possible to get the support you need.
You can’t always make chronic pain disappear, but you can make sure you have the resources to live your life with dignity, security, and hope.
Comments