Nerve Damage: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Compensation You Deserve

What Is Nerve Damage?

Nerves transmit signals throughout the body to regulate bodily functions, including:

• Peripheral control: These nerves connect the spinal cord and brain to the other nerve networks in the body. 
• Motor control: These nerves control muscle movements, like walking, bending, or picking up objects. 
• Sensory perception: These nerves help the brain interpret sensory data from our senses, such as pain, smell, and touch.
• Autonomic processes. Autonomic nerves control digestion, breathing, and heart rate. 

Nerve damage interrupts normal signal transmissions. Nerve injuries can have far-reaching effects, even when they are minor, resulting in chronic pain, permanent disability, or paralysis. 

Common Causes of Nerve Damage in Nevada Claims

Common causes of nerve damage in Nevada claims often include:

• Car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle crashes: The extreme force of impact and the rapid back-and-forth motion of the body can stretch, tear, compress, and pinch nerves.
• Slips and falls: Slips and falls can twist, crush, stretch, pinch, and tear nerves in various areas of the body.
• Lifting accidents: Improper lifting or lifting extremely heavy items can cause herniated or slipped discs that pinch and crush nerves in the spine. 
• Surgical and medical malpractice: A surgeon could accidentally damage a nerve during a surgical procedure. There can also be anesthesia errors, improper patient positioning during lengthy procedures, and dental errors that cause permanent nerve damage. 

Nerve damage can also occur from:

• Whiplash
• Sports injuries
• Violent trauma 
• Repetitive motions
• Autoimmune and metabolic conditions

Signs and Symptoms of Nerve Damage

The signs and symptoms of nerve damage will vary from one individual to another based on the location of their injury and the severity of the nerve damage, and could include:

• Chronic pain
• Sharp pain that radiates outward 
• Burning sensations
• Numbness
• Tingling 
• Generalized weakness
• Loss of sensation
• Loss of motor control and functioning
• Twitching
• Excessive sweating
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Partial or complete paralysis
• Loss of feeling
• Inability to feel temperature

• Cognitive impairments
• Social and behavioral changes
• Irritability
• Loss of interest in hobbies and activities once enjoyed
• Helplessness
• Frustration
• Mood disorders
• Sleep disturbances 

Types of Nerve Injuries and Medical Conditions

There are three general types of nerve injuries based on their severity:

• Neuropraxia: A mild nerve injury that is reversible with proper treatment.
• Axonotmesis: This type of nerve injury is more severe, where the axons around the nerve have been damaged, but the connective tissues within the nerve are still intact. This type of injury can also heal, but not always fully. 
• Neurotmesis: The nerve has been severely damaged and severed. This type of injury can result in long-term issues, as the nerve may never heal.  

Medical conditions related to nerve injuries include toxic exposure and side effects from certain medications, as well as:

• Peripheral neuropathy: Diabetes and autoimmune diseases.
• Traumatic nerve injuries: Crushing, stretching, or cutting injuries.
• Entrapment syndromes: Carpal tunnel, sciatica, and thoracic outlet syndrome.
• Spinal cord injuries and central nervous system trauma: Injuries from slips, falls, and car crashes.

How Is Nerve Damage Diagnosed and Treated?

Since nerve damage is often viewed as a “hidden injury,” it requires a detailed evaluation with a medical professional or nerve specialist. They will perform physical and neurologic exams, review your injury history, and your medical history, along with these tests:

• EMG (electromyography) 
• CT and MRI scans
• NCS (nerve conduction study)

For nerve damage related to medical conditions, blood work, biopsies, or a spinal fluid test could also be performed. 

Treating nerve injuries could include one or more of the following, based on the specific needs of the individual and the severity of their nerve damage:

• Medications 
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Massage therapy
• Acupuncture
• Supportive devices
• Surgery
• Treating underlying conditions (diabetes, autoimmune disorders)
• Nerve grafts
• Mental health treatment
• Chronic pain management

Medical Malpractice and Nerve Damage in Las Vegas

Errors in surgery, dental care, anesthesia, injections, or improper positions during procedures can all cause nerve damage. The precise number of medical malpractice lawsuits for nerve damage in Las Vegas is not known. 

However, in one study, the number of nerve damage claims after dental implants during the period from 2005 to 2020 was 218 out of the 1,154 study participants. In another study, medical malpractice in nerve injury of the upper extremities was tracked from 1995 to 2014, which reported: 

• 614 upper extremity nerve injury claims out of 188,323 malpractice claims
• 41% for carpal tunnel syndrome
• 19% for upper extremity fractures
• 8% for traumatic nerve injuries
• 49% for improper positioning
• 65% of the claims were filed after surgical procedures performed in a hospital

Medical nerve damage claims can also include:

• Facial/dental nerve trauma
• Spinal or ulnar/peroneal nerve injuries after anesthesia
• “Wrong-site” surgeries
• Lack of informed consent

Filing a Nerve Damage Claim: The Legal Process in Nevada

You have two years from the date of the accident or discovery of the nerve injury to file a nerve damage claim. However, you should not wait and follow these steps immediately: 

1. Seek medical care
2. File a police report or accident report
3. Gather evidence, such as photos, witness statements, and medical records
4. Consult with a nerve damage attorney to find out the actual value of your claim

Once you retrain an attorney, they will:

• Gather additional evidence to establish negligence
• Demand payment from the insurance company
• Handle all settlement negotiations
• Litigate the case in court, if needed

The value of your Las Vegas nerve injury compensation claim can include:

• Current and future medical bills
• Present and future lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment
• Permanent disability

Compensation for Nerve Injury Victims: What To Expect

The types of compensation you can seek as part of your nerve injury claim in Las Vegas include economic and non-economic damages. In rare cases, if your case goes to trial, the judge can award punitive damages when the defendant was grossly negligent or reckless.

Economic Damages

• Current and future medical expenses
• Prescription and rehabilitation costs
• Medical device costs
• Current and future lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Emotional distress
• Loss of consortium

The nature and impacts of the injury result in higher payouts, especially when there is severe impairment or medical error. Average nerve damage settlements in Las Vegas vary significantly, and can range from around $20,000 for minor injuries to $500,000 or more for severe impairments and medical malpractice cases. 

Proving Nerve Damage and Navigating Settlement Negotiations

Proving nerve damage can be challenging and requires assistance from experienced nerve damage attorneys in Las Vegas because you must prove negligence. Establishing negligence requires providing sufficient evidence, including:

• Medical records
• Medical test results
• Police and accident reports
• Witness statements
• Photos and videos from the accident scene
• Nerve specialist evaluations
• Expert testimony
• Physical and occupational therapy records

Navigating a settlement is something you should never attempt without legal representation. Insurance companies are notorious for making low offers, only offering settlement for your current damages, and trying to use pre-existing conditions to reduce your payout or even deny your claim. 

Having a lawyer represent your interests ensures you receive a favorable settlement for all the compensation you are due, including future losses. If settlement talks fail, your lawyer will have an effective trial strategy already in place.  

Why Choose Adam S. Kutner for Nerve Damage Lawsuits in Las Vegas?

• Mr. Kutner is well aware of the tactics insurance companies use.
• Over 34 years experience of fighting for Nevada injury victims and securing favorable settlements and verdicts.
• Free case evaluation and consultation.
• Free, honest legal advice.
• No upfront legal fees — we only get paid if we win.
• Personalized service.
• Dedicated lawyer and legal team.
• 24/7 availability for urgent claims.
• Best of Las Vegas Gold Winner for Best Law Firm, Best Customer Service, Best Accident Lawyer.

Experienced a nerve injury that was the result of another’s actions? Request your free consultation now to find out your legal rights and options.

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