Chronic Pain Syndrome Claims: A Complete Guide to Workplace-Related Chronic Pain Claims
Accidents at work don’t always leave visible scars. In some cases, a person may suffer an injury that triggers Chronic Pain Syndrome (CPS) — a long-term, often debilitating condition where pain continues long after the initial injury has healed. This ongoing pain can be widespread or localised, and it often leads to serious physical, emotional, and financial challenges.
If you’ve developed Chronic Pain Syndrome following a workplace accident caused by negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation for the condition itself, alongside its wider impact on your life. This guide will explain how CPS claims work, what you can claim for, and how we can help you through this complex, life-changing situation.
What is a Chronic Pain Syndrome Claim?
A Chronic Pain Syndrome claim arises when a person develops persistent, long-term pain after a workplace incident or injury. This condition can affect your ability to work, carry out daily activities, and live a normal life. Instead of making a claim just for the original injury, a CPS claim focuses on the ongoing, complex symptoms and how they affect your wellbeing, finances, and mental health.
For example:
- A factory worker suffers a back injury in an accident and later develops chronic lower back pain.
- A construction worker sustains a wrist fracture, which triggers Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).
- An office employee injures their neck in a fall and experiences ongoing nerve pain and headaches.
How to Make a Chronic Pain Syndrome Claim
Starting a CPS claim might feel overwhelming, especially while dealing with pain, uncertainty, and financial pressures. We’ve broken the process down into clear, manageable steps:
Step 1: Arrange a Free Consultation
Get in touch with our specialist team for a no-obligation, free consultation. Whether online or by phone, we’ll listen to your story, assess whether you have a valid claim, and explain how we can help you move forward.
Step 2: Gather Important Information
To build a strong claim, we’ll need:
- When, where, and how the accident or incident occurred
- Your job role, working conditions, and safety procedures
- Medical records detailing your original injury and CPS diagnosis
- Occupational health reports and pain clinic assessments
- Evidence of financial losses, including wages, treatments, and care costs
- Witness statements (if any)
- Photos or reports relating to the original accident
Once we’ve gathered this information, your case will be handled by an experienced solicitor specialising in workplace injuries and chronic pain claims.
What If Your Employer Denies Responsibility or Has No Insurance?
If your employer disputes liability or lacks valid insurance, it doesn’t mean your case has to stop. Your solicitor can:
- Investigate liability and insurance cover at the time of the incident
- Review workplace health and safety failings
- Collect medical records, witness accounts, and expert medical opinions
- Take legal action if needed
Strong documentation — such as accident reports, medical evidence, job records, and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) findings — can make a big difference to your case.
Who Can Make a Chronic Pain Syndrome Claim?
You may be eligible to claim if your Chronic Pain Syndrome was caused or worsened by:
- Poorly maintained equipment or machinery
- Unsafe working conditions
- Inadequate safety procedures and training
- Failure to provide proper protective gear
- Falls, crush injuries, or repetitive strain injuries at work
- Breaches of Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulations
You could be a:
- Full-time or part-time employee
- Self-employed contractor
- Temporary or agency worker
- Former employee (if symptoms developed later)
As long as employer negligence contributed to your condition, you could be entitled to compensation.
What Can You Claim for in a CPS Case?
The value of your claim depends on the severity of your symptoms, how your life has been affected, and the long-term impact of your condition. A successful claim could cover:
- Medical expenses: Pain management, physiotherapy, medication, counselling, and private healthcare
- Lost earnings: For time off work now and in the future if you can’t return to work
- Pain and suffering: Physical discomfort, emotional distress, and mental health issues
- Care costs: For help with daily tasks, mobility, and personal care
- Travel costs: Trips to hospitals, pain clinics, and medical appointments
- Home and vehicle adaptations: For accessibility equipment or home modifications
- Loss of future earnings: If your condition affects your ability to work long-term
Your solicitor will carefully assess every part of your financial, physical, and emotional losses to make sure nothing is overlooked.
Can You Claim on Behalf of a Family Member?
Yes — if a loved one has developed Chronic Pain Syndrome due to a workplace accident and is unable to claim themselves, you may be able to act for them. This applies if they are:
- Under 18
- Mentally or physically incapacitated
- Have sadly passed away as a result of their condition or injuries
Family members may also claim for dependency losses or bereavement compensation if the situation leads to fatal consequences.
How Long Does a Chronic Pain Syndrome Claim Take?
The time it takes to resolve a CPS claim depends on:
- Whether your employer accepts liability
- The complexity and severity of your symptoms
- How long your recovery or symptom management is expected to take
- Whether medical experts need to assess long-term prognosis
- Disputes over evidence or compensation amounts
Straightforward cases might settle within months. Complex cases — especially those involving life-changing, disabling chronic pain — could take a year or longer, particularly if future care needs and medical opinions are still being finalised.
We’ll keep you fully informed and handle everything for you.
Are Chronic Pain Syndrome Claims More Complicated Than Other Workplace Injury Cases?
Yes — Chronic Pain Syndrome claims tend to involve a high level of medical and legal complexity. Unlike visible or short-term injuries, CPS cases must consider:
- The persistence and unpredictability of chronic pain
- How multiple symptoms (physical, emotional, psychological) interact
- The long-term impact on mobility, work, relationships, and independence
- The need for ongoing pain management, therapy, and care
- Employer liability for the initial incident and ongoing consequences
That’s why it’s essential to work with a solicitor experienced in handling serious and complex chronic pain cases.
We’re Here to Support You
Living with Chronic Pain Syndrome can be life-altering — physically, emotionally, and financially. But you don’t have to face it alone.
Our specialist solicitors are here to:
- Support you through every stage of your claim
- Help you access medical treatment, pain management, and financial relief
- Fight for the maximum compensation you deserve
- Hold negligent employers accountable for unsafe working practices
Contact us today for your free, confidential consultation — and take the first step towards justice, support, and peace of mind.