Developing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) can be a life-altering experience that leaves you uncertain about your recovery and finances. When a medical condition is work-related, benefits may be available through workers’ compensation. If you recently developed CRPS, you may be wondering, “Will workers’ comp pay for a spinal cord stimulator (SCS) for CRPS in North Carolina?”
Because spinal cord stimulators can cost $50,000 or more, requests often receive careful review. Before approval, injured workers may be required to complete conservative treatment, undergo a psychological evaluation, and demonstrate that a temporary SCS trial provides meaningful pain relief. If benefits are denied, an experienced Hickory workers’ compensation attorney can help challenge the decision and pursue the medical care you need.
Read on to learn about your options for securing benefits through filing a claim. The right documentation and evidence could provide you with access to this effective pain management treatment.
Understanding Spinal Cord Stimulators and How They Relieve Pain
A spinal cord stimulator (SCS) is a medical device that is implanted to deliver weak electrical signals to the spinal cord to help interrupt the pain signal process before it reaches the brain. By interrupting pain signals, the device can potentially reduce chronic pain in certain individuals.
Doctors may recommend an SCS when traditional treatments, such as medications, injections, physical therapy, or nerve blocks, fail to provide meaningful relief. For individuals suffering from CRPS, a spinal cord stimulator can help reduce chronic pain, improve mobility, and enhance overall quality of life.
Most patients undergo a temporary trial period to determine whether the device effectively manages their symptoms before receiving a permanent implant. While an SCS does not cure Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, it may allow some patients to reduce their reliance on pain medications, ongoing monitoring, and special medical care.
Workers’ compensation can pay for these treatments when CRPS is designated a work-related injury. SCS evaluations are done at medical providers such as Catawba Valley Medical Center, Frye Regional Medical Center, and elsewhere throughout North Carolina.
One study examining spinal cord stimulator utilization reported that, for patients who underwent a spinal cord stimulator trial, approximately 67% ultimately received a permanent implant.
When Does Workers’ Compensation Cover Spinal Cord Stimulator Treatments?
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome often develops after a serious workplace injury that damages nerves, bones, or soft tissues. Workers in industries throughout North Carolina, including manufacturing, construction, healthcare, transportation, and other industries, may develop CRPS following traumatic incidents.
Common work-related injuries linked to CRPS include:
- Fractured bones from falls
- Crushed extremities caught in machinery
- Broken bones from construction site accidents
- Severe sprains
- Work-related injuries requiring surgery
In some cases, the condition can also develop after repetitive stress injuries or complications following medical treatment for a workplace accident. Workers in communities throughout the Catawba Valley and Western Piedmont could face risks associated with physically demanding jobs that can lead to serious injuries.
Because CRPS is tied to chronic pain, the condition can limit someone’s ability to return to work. As of 2026, North Carolina’s maximum weekly workers’ compensation benefit is $1,446.
Why You Should Hire a CRPS Lawyer
When your health is in jeopardy, every aspect of your life can be disrupted. The decision to hire a CRPS lawyer can play a crucial role in protecting your right to benefits through workers’ compensation.
An experienced spinal cord stimulator attorney can:
- Investigate the workplace accident or conditions that contributed to the onset of CRPS
- Gather medical records, diagnostic testing, and physician opinions
- Coordinate with treating doctors to document the severity of your symptoms
- Challenging attempts by insurance carriers to minimize or dispute your condition
- Calculate the value of future medical treatments and other CRPS-related costs
A North Carolina CRPS attorney with Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, brings years of experience managing complex CRPS cases based on their knowledge of North Carolina CRPS laws. Our founding attorney is a former defense lawyer for insurance companies, meaning he understands the challenges people face when seeking a fair insurance settlement.
One of our lawyers can learn about the cause of the condition, document the link to your place of work, and take decisive steps to make sure that you receive the full and fair benefits that you are owed.
FAQs
How Much Does Workers’ Comp Pay for CRPS?
In fiscal year 2024-2025, 56,921 workers’ compensation cases were opened in North Carolina. The benefits available for CRPS depend on the severity of the condition, the medical treatments that are needed, the amount of time missed from work, and other factors. When someone has to miss considerable time from work due to challenges from CRPS, those losses can be reflected through workers’ compensation benefits.
Does a Spinal Cord Stimulator Help With CRPS?
A spinal cord stimulator may help some people with CRPS manage their chronic pain when conservative treatments have not provided adequate relief. The device works by directing gentle electrical impulses into the spinal cord that alter pain signals from the body before they reach the user’s brain. While an SCS does not cure CRPS, many patients experience reductions in pain that make work and daily life much more manageable.
What Is the Average Settlement for a CRPS?
There is no readily available “average” settlement for CRPS because every case is unique and determined by the factors of someone’s condition. Some individuals eventually experience relief from CRPS symptoms, while others may find that their symptoms are much harder to treat and manage. A settlement for CRPS can reflect the full scope of someone’s setback and losses when a claim is backed by strong evidence and solid medical documentation.
Does a Spinal Cord Stimulator Qualify for Disability?
Receiving a spinal cord stimulator does not automatically qualify a person for disability benefits. However, the need for an SCS may serve as evidence that a worker suffers from a serious and ongoing medical condition. Eligibility for disability benefits generally depends on the limitations someone faces due to an injury or condition. Since insurance companies often dispute disability claims, legal support should be a top priority for a claimant.
Gain Access to the High-Quality Medical Treatments You Need
Up to 200,000 people experience CRPD symptoms in a given year, and many of those individuals can benefit from a spinal cord stimulator.
When you work with Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, you gain the support of a legal team that focuses on injury and workers’ compensation cases. Our founding attorney brings more than 30+ years of experience to these matters. Contact our office today. We proudly serve Burke, Catawba, and Caldwell Counties.
