Nerve Damage

Nerve damage is a serious and complex medical condition that can affect anyone at any age. It occurs when the delicate fibers that send signals throughout the body are injured or disrupted, causing a range of symptoms that can significantly impact daily life.

The statistics below highlight the severity of nerve damage in the US:

Whether you’re dealing with a mild or severe case of nerve damage, knowing the key facts can help you manage it better.

If your nerve damage is the result of an accident, legal support could be crucial—Sutliff & Stout offers guidance for victims seeking compensation for injury-related claims.

Understanding Nerve Damage

Nerve damage occurs when the body’s communication system is interrupted.

Nerves act as messengers, sending electrical impulses between the brain and various parts of the body. When these signals are interrupted, it leads to dysfunction.

This can mean anything from losing sensation in your hands or feet (like in diabetic neuropathy) to losing the ability to move certain muscles.

In some cases, nerve damage can also result in more serious conditions such as quadriplegia or spinal cord injury, where paralysis occurs.

Types Of Nerves

The human body relies on three major types of nerves:

• Autonomic Nerves: These control involuntary actions like heart rate, digestion, and breathing.
• Motor Nerves: These are responsible for voluntary movements like lifting your arm or walking.
• Sensory Nerves: These allow you to feel pain, heat, and touch.

When any of these nerves are damaged, it can lead to a range of symptoms depending on their function.

For example, damage to sensory nerves might result in tingling or numbness, while motor nerve damage can cause muscle weakness.

Causes of Nerve Damage

Nerve damage can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from physical trauma to underlying medical conditions.

Understanding these causes is crucial in both preventing further injury and finding appropriate treatment options.

For some people, nerve damage results from a single event, while for others, it can develop over time due to chronic conditions.

Regardless of the cause, the effects of nerve damage can be life-altering and long-lasting.

Trauma And Injury

Common Types of Trauma Leading to Nerve Damage

• Broken bones
• Crushing injuries
• Spinal cord injury
• Amputation injury
• Degloving injury
• Concussion injury
• Herniated discs
• Soft tissue injury

In cases of trauma and injury, seeking immediate medical attention is crucial for reducing the risk of long-term nerve damage.

Treatment options vary depending on the injury but can include physical therapy, surgery, and rehabilitation to help restore nerve function.

Medical Conditions

Nerve damage can also be caused by long-term medical conditions, the most common of which is diabetes.

Diabetic neuropathy occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the nerves, often in the hands and feet.

Other conditions, such as autoimmune diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis) and infections (e.g., shingles or HIV), can also lead to nerve damage.

People with these conditions may experience symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or even pain due to the gradual deterioration of their nerves.

Surgery And Procedures

In some cases, nerve damage can be an unfortunate result of surgery or medical procedures.

While surgical techniques have improved, there are still instances where nerves are inadvertently damaged during an operation.

For example, herniated discs may require surgery to alleviate pressure on the spinal cord, but the procedure itself can sometimes cause damage to nearby nerves, resulting in loss of feeling or motor function.

Medical Conditions That Cause Nerve Damage

Nerve damage can occur as a result of various medical conditions, many of which develop over time.

While trauma is a significant cause, underlying health issues like chronic diseases and infections often play a critical role in damaging nerves.

These conditions can affect different types of nerves—motor, sensory, or autonomic—and the symptoms vary depending on the specific cause.

Diabetes and Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetes, particularly when poorly managed, is a leading cause of nerve damage.

Diabetic neuropathy affects around 50% of people with diabetes, often damaging the nerves in the hands and feet.

Symptoms include numbness, tingling, or pain, which can worsen over time and lead to severe complications like ulcers or amputation.

Loss of sensation also increases the risk of unnoticed injuries, exacerbating long-term effects.

Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune conditions, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, cause the immune system to attack healthy tissues, including nerves.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a key example, where the immune system destroys the myelin sheath around nerves.

This can lead to muscle weakness, coordination problems, and, in extreme cases, paralysis.

Early treatment of these conditions is crucial to slow nerve degeneration.

Infections and Viruses

Certain infections can trigger nerve damage.

Shingles, for instance, often causes postherpetic neuralgia, a painful condition affecting nerves. HIV, Lyme disease, and other infections can also cause inflammation in the nerves, leading to pain, numbness, or weakness.

These effects may persist even after the infection has been treated.

Common Procedures Leading to Nerve Damage

• Spinal surgeries
• Joint replacements
• Amputation injury
• Cosmetic surgeries

Symptoms of Nerve Damage

Nerve damage manifests in various ways, depending on the type of nerve affected—sensory, motor, or autonomic—and the severity of the injury.

The symptoms can range from mild discomfort to life-altering disability, affecting a person’s ability to move, feel sensations, or regulate involuntary bodily functions.

Identifying the signs of nerve damage early is crucial in minimizing further injury and finding appropriate treatment options.

Sensory Symptoms

When sensory nerves are damaged, the body’s ability to transmit sensations from the skin to the brain is compromised. This can result in a wide range of symptoms, including:

• Numbness
• Tingling or “Pins and Needles”
• Heightened Sensitivity
• Loss of Reflexes

Motor Symptoms

Motor nerves control voluntary muscle movement, and when damaged, they can lead to:

• Weakness
• Paralysis
• Muscle Atrophy

Autonomic Symptoms

Autonomic nerve damage affects involuntary body functions, which can result in:

• Difficulty regulating body temperature
• Digestive issues
• Blood pressure problems

These symptoms may develop gradually or appear suddenly, depending on the underlying cause of the nerve damage.

Early intervention is key to managing these effects and preventing further deterioration.

Insurance and Legal Considerations

Addressing nerve damage from a financial and legal perspective is essential, especially when dealing with the high costs of treatments, rehabilitation, and potential long-term care.

Understanding your rights through insurance and legal channels can significantly ease the burden.

Insurance Coverage for Nerve Damage

Health insurance is typically the first source of financial support for nerve damage treatment, covering costs for diagnostic tests, therapies, medications, and surgeries.

However, the extent of coverage can vary depending on the specific plan, so it’s essential to review policy details carefully.

Workers’ compensation insurance is another option for those who sustained nerve damage on the job, providing financial relief for medical costs and lost wages.

Additionally, if your nerve damage is the result of a car accident, personal injury protection (PIP) insurance may help cover expenses regardless of fault, depending on your state’s regulations.

Statute of Limitations for Nerve Damage Claims

The statute of limitations is a critical legal deadline for filing a claim, and it varies depending on the type of case and the state.

For personal injury cases, most states require claims to be filed within two to three years of the injury.

In medical malpractice claims, where nerve damage may result from surgical errors or negligence, the timeline can range from one to three years, with some states applying a “discovery rule” that starts the clock when the injury is recognized, not when it occurred.

In workers’ compensation claims, the timeframe is often shorter, requiring notification to the employer within 30 days and formal claims within one to two years.

Take the Next Step for Your Nerve Damage Claim

If you or a loved one has suffered nerve damage due to an accident or medical procedure, taking action as soon as possible is critical.

Sutliff & Stout can help you explore your legal options and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Contact Sutliff & Stout today at (713) 405-1263 for a free consultation to discuss your case and how we can assist in covering your medical expenses and recovery journey.