Dealing with Chronic Pain After an Injury
One day, life is normal. The next, you’re in pain that won’t go away. Maybe it started with a car accident, a fall, or some other injury that should have healed by now – but didn’t. Instead, you wake up every day hurting, and no matter what treatments you try, nothing seems to bring relief.
Chronic pain doesn’t just affect your body; it changes your entire life.
It makes work more difficult. It makes simple things, like grocery shopping, driving, or even playing with your kids, feel impossible some days. And when someone else’s negligence caused your injury, that makes it even more frustrating. The good news is that Washington State law allows injury victims to seek compensation for chronic pain, but proving it isn’t always easy. That’s where a personal injury lawyer comes in.
How chronic pain can change everything
People who have never dealt with chronic pain don’t always get it. They think, “It can’t be that bad, right?” But when your pain lingers for months or years, it affects more than just your body – it affects your entire quality of life.
- Working becomes a struggle: If your job requires physical effort, chronic pain can make it impossible to keep up. Even desk jobs can be difficult if sitting or typing aggravates your condition. Some people lose wages, switch careers, or even leave the workforce entirely because of their pain.
- Everyday tasks feel overwhelming: Cooking, cleaning, running errands – things you used to do without thinking now take all your energy. Some days, you push through. Other days, you just can’t.
- Mental health takes a hit: Pain isn’t just physical. It wears you down mentally and emotionally. Depression, anxiety, and frustration often go hand in hand with chronic pain. Relationships suffer. Friendships fade when you have to keep canceling plans. Life starts to feel smaller.
And yet, even with all this, insurance companies love to argue that chronic pain isn’t “real” or “serious” enough to warrant compensation. That’s why having solid medical evidence – and the right personal injury lawyer – is crucial.
Can you get compensation for chronic pain in Washington State?
Yes, but here’s the catch: Washington law doesn’t automatically award damages just because you’re in pain. You have to prove how your pain affects your life and how it connects to your injury.
Compensation falls into two categories:
- Economic damages: These cover things with clear costs, like medical bills, physical therapy, and lost wages. If your chronic pain requires ongoing treatment or keeps you from working, these damages help cover those expenses.
- Non-economic damages: This is where things get more complicated. Washington law allows compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
So yes, compensation is possible, but you have to prove your case.
The role of medical evidence in chronic pain claims
One of the biggest challenges in a chronic pain case is proving it exists. You can’t just say, “I’m in pain,” and expect a settlement. Pain is subjective, which means strong medical evidence is key. What does that look like?
- Medical records: Regular doctor visits, prescriptions, and treatment plans show that your pain isn’t just in your head. The more documentation you have, the better.
- Specialist evaluations: A pain management doctor, neurologist, or other specialist can provide expert opinions that back up your claim.
- Physical therapy records: If you’ve been doing PT, those records help show the ongoing struggle to manage your pain.
- A personal pain journal: A daily record of how pain affects your routine can be powerful evidence.
Without this kind of proof, insurance companies will try to dismiss your pain as exaggerated or even fake.
Why you need a personal injury lawyer
Filing a claim for chronic pain isn’t the same as filing for a broken leg or a concussion. Those injuries show up on X-rays or scans. Chronic pain is invisible, which makes it harder to prove. Insurance companies take advantage of that.
A personal injury lawyer who understands Washington’s legal system can help:
- Gather medical records, expert testimony, and other evidence to build your case
- Push back against insurance companies that try to downplay your pain
- Calculate a fair settlement based on both economic and non-economic damages
- Ensure you don’t miss critical deadlines (including Washington’s three-year statute of limitations)
And here’s another important detail: Washington follows a pure comparative fault rule. That means even if you were partially at fault for your injury, you can still recover damages. Your compensation is simply reduced by your percentage fault. If you’re 20% responsible, you can recover 80% of your damages.
What you can do now
If you’re dealing with chronic pain after an injury, don’t wait to take action. Here’s what you should do:
- See a doctor: The sooner you get medical documentation, the stronger your case will be.
- Keep records: Save medical bills, prescriptions, and therapy reports. Keep a pain journal. Document everything.
- Talk to a lawyer: A personal injury lawyer can review your case and let you know what options you have.
- File on time: Remember, Washington’s statute of limitations is three years. If you miss that deadline, you lose your right to seek compensation.
Final thoughts
Chronic pain changes lives. It makes work harder, relationships strained, and daily life exhausting. If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, you shouldn’t have to deal with the financial burden alone. Washington law allows for compensation but proving chronic pain is tricky without the right medical evidence and legal support.
If you’re struggling to get the help you deserve, don’t do it alone. A personal injury lawyer from Smith McBroom can help you fight for the compensation you need to move forward. You don’t have to suffer in silence — take action today. Contact us to schedule your free evaluation and take the first step toward getting the compensation you deserve.