If you are injured in a car accident, and develop symptoms of fibromyalgia, you may find is difficult to prove that the accident is the cause.
Fibromyalgia is a medical condition that causes a person to suffer widespread musculoskeletal pain. The condition affects the way the brain processes the pain signals, and amplifies painful sensations. The symptoms commonly begin after a traumatic event such as physical trauma caused by a car accident. Unfortunately, there is no cure for fibromyalgia, and it takes significant toll on the patient’s life.
If you were involved in a Chicago car accident, you may be wondering if your recently diagnosed fibromyalgia is related to an injury. Or if your fibromyalgia has gotten worse, is it from being involved in the auto accident?
What Is Fibromyalgia and How Is It Related to Car Accidents?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties (“fibro fog”). While the exact cause is not fully understood, strong evidence shows that physical trauma, like that of a car accident, can trigger fibromyalgia in people who may be predisposed. Traumatic injuries, especially those involving the neck such as whiplash, can make a person 13 times more likely to develop fibromyalgia compared to the general population.
Real-World Scenario:
After a rear-end collision on the Kennedy Expressway, a Chicago woman initially walked away with what seemed like minor injuries. Weeks later, she developed chronic pain, muscle aches, and fatigue—a classic progression to post-traumatic fibromyalgia. Her life was disrupted, her work suffered, and she was left fighting for both a diagnosis and just compensation.
Many types of trauma can lead to fibromyalgia. It is believed that neck and head trauma is more likely to trigger the condition. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder also increases the risk of fibromyalgia. Car accident victims who suffer head and neck injuries in a car accident and later develop PTSD are at a higher risk of developing fibromyalgia.
The condition is very difficult to diagnose. Earlier, a tender point exam was conducted to check pain at 18 different points in the body, but now a patient is considered to have fibromyalgia if they have unexplained and widespread pain lasting at least three months. Often times, the condition is not diagnosed for months or even years after the crash that triggered it.
Chicago and Illinois Car Accident & Fibromyalgia Statistics
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Illinois sees over 100,000 car crashes each year—with thousands resulting in serious or chronic injuries.
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Studies have shown car accident trauma is a well-established trigger of fibromyalgia symptoms and diagnosis.
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Patients with a fibromyalgia diagnosis are more than twice as likely to be involved in a severe car crash compared to the general population, highlighting the risks associated with the condition.
Common Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Victims of car accident who suffer from fibromyalgia may experience the following symptoms:
- Dull and constant widespread pain
- Extreme fatigue despite sleeping for long periods of time
- Cognitive impairment or “fibro fog” that affects the ability to concentrate
- Headaches
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Depression
Fibromyalgia is incurable, so the treatment focuses on managing the symptoms. The patients are often prescribe pain relievers to help reduce discomfort and antidepressants to fight fatigue and other related symptoms. Some anti-seizure drugs are also known to be successful in reducing pains associated with fibromyalgia. Patients of fibromyalgia are also provided counseling to learn how to manage the stress associated with fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia requires lifetime of care and treatment, because the condition is incurable so the medical costs are often very high. These medical costs should be covered by a settlement or jury verdict in a car accident claim. However, this can happen only when the car accident victim is properly diagnosed. It is important for car accident victims to keep in mind that fibromyalgia symptoms do not usually show up immediately, so they should not settle their case until the full extent of injuries is known.
Chicago Laws on Fibromyalgia-Related Injuries After a Car Accident
Fibromyalgia, if proven to be triggered or worsened by a car accident, can be recognized as a compensable injury under Illinois personal injury law:
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“Eggshell Skull Rule”: Illinois law states that if an accident aggravated a pre-existing condition such as fibromyalgia, the at-fault driver is still liable for the injury’s full impact.
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Workers’ Compensation & Accidents: Chicago courts and the Illinois Industrial Commission have affirmed that fibromyalgia can be a compensable work- or accident-related injury if it is disabling and connected to the traumatic incident.
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Statute of Limitations: Victims generally have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim in Illinois.
Fibromyalgia Car Accident Liability Laws in Chicago
Liability for fibromyalgia in a car accident claim falls under these key rules:
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Proving Causation: The injured person must show, through medical records and expert testimony, that the car accident likely triggered or aggravated their fibromyalgia.
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Comparative Fault: If both drivers share blame, Illinois allows recovery as long as the claimant is less than 50% at fault.
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Insurance Challenges: Insurers often push back on fibromyalgia claims, disputing whether the accident actually caused the condition or arguing its symptoms were pre-existing. Proving your case requires meticulous documentation and advocacy.
Compensation Laws: What Chicago Victims Can Claim
Car accident victims in Chicago with fibromyalgia linked to their crash may pursue compensation for:
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Medical bills: Chronic pain management, specialist visits, therapy, and medications.
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Lost wages and diminished earning capacity—fibromyalgia can be severely disabling.
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Pain and suffering: Both physical and emotional suffering may be recoverable.
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Future costs: Compensation for future care, medical expenses, or loss of quality of life.
Example: Settlement values can be significant. In one notable case, a fibromyalgia victim originally offered $34,000 ultimately secured a $245,000 settlement after aggressive legal representation.
Chicago Fibromyalgia Car Accident: Checklist for Victims
1. Seek medical care immediately.
2. Keep detailed records of symptoms and treatments.
3. Don’t accept the insurer’s first offer.
4. Consult with a top-rated Chicago car accident attorney.
5. Know your rights: You can recover even if you had prior health problems—if the crash aggravated them.
6. Watch deadlines—don’t risk losing your right to compensation.
Seeking Legal Help in a Car Accident Case
If you are injured in a car accident, and develop symptoms of fibromyalgia, you may find is difficult to prove that the accident is the cause. In order to recover compensation for medical treatment, your pain and the diminished quality of life, you will have to prove who was to blame for your injuries. In doing so, you will need legal help from a competent Chicago car accident injury lawyer.
Willens & Baez is a top-rated personal injury law firm headquartered in Chicago and serving all of Illinois. Representing the injured is all we do. We know that an injury case has the potential to take over a person’s life, making it difficult to move forward. Call us today at (312) 957-4166 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a FREE consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions: Fibromyalgia, Car Accidents & Chicago Attorneys
Q: Can a car accident really cause fibromyalgia?
A: Yes, trauma from car accidents is a medically recognized trigger for fibromyalgia in some cases.
Q: How do I prove my car accident caused or worsened my fibromyalgia?
A: Maintain clear medical records, see specialists, and work with an attorney skilled in complex injury cases. Expert testimony and detailed timelines connecting the accident to symptom onset are vital.
Q: What if my insurer says fibromyalgia is pre-existing or unrelated?
A: Illinois law protects you here. Aggravations of pre-existing conditions are covered, and a strong legal team can help you present your case effectively.
Q: How much can I recover?
A: Settlements and verdicts vary, but compensation can cover all economic losses, pain, and suffering—and often reach into six figures for severe, disabling cases.
Q: Do I need a Chicago attorney for my fibromyalgia accident claim?
A: Absolutely. Insurers rarely pay fair value in these complex cases unless you have experienced, local legal representation.
Finding the Right Attorney for Fibromyalgia-Related Car Accident Claims
Tips for Success:
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Seek local expertise: Choose an experienced, Chicago-based personal injury attorney.
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Prioritize proven results: Look for top-tier settlements and verdicts in chronic pain or complex injury cases.
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Choose aggressive advocates: Insurers fight “invisible injury” claims—your attorney must be relentless.
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Go for full-scope service: Your case may need medical referrals, expert witnesses, accident reconstruction, and more.
Why Willens & Baez Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C. Is the Best Choice in Chicago
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Top 10 Personal Injury Law Firm in Chicago—year after year.
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Matthew Willens named Illinois Super Lawyer 2012–2025 and recognized nationally for securing Top 100 Verdicts.
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Proven results: Record-breaking $1.5 million dog bite settlement, $3.8 million medical malpractice verdict, and decades of consistent multi-million dollar recoveries for injury victims.
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A+ BBB rating, AV Preeminent 5.0/5 Martindale-Hubbell rating—the highest in the field.
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Million Dollar Advocates Forum member, a distinction held by less than 1% of U.S. lawyers.
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Personalized client care: 4.9-star Google rating, hundreds of five-star testimonials for both professionalism and compassion.
Client Review:
“They took the time to listen to my unique pain and symptoms—never rushed me, and always believed the accident caused my fibromyalgia even though the insurance tried to deny it. Matt Willens fought hard and won the results my family needed.”
Let Chicago’s Top Advocates Help You
If you’re suffering from fibromyalgia after a car accident in Chicago, don’t face insurers and medical bills alone. Willens & Baez Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C. stands ready to fight for your rights, maximize your compensation, and help you move forward.
Call (312) 957-4166 today.
Get experience, compassion, and record-setting results from one of Chicago’s most trusted firms—Willens & Baez Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C. Your path to justice and recovery starts here.
