Nerve Damage Injury Lawyer in Glendale & Los Angeles
Nerve damage is one of the most insidious types of injury — often invisible, frequently chronic, and capable of producing excruciating pain, numbness, weakness, and loss of function that transforms daily life. Whether caused by a car accident, a fall, a crush injury, or any other traumatic event, nerve damage can leave you struggling with symptoms that conventional imaging cannot always capture. Attorney Anand Desai has over 20+ years of experience representing injury victims across Glendale, Los Angeles, and Southern California. He understands the unique challenges nerve damage cases present and knows how to prove their true impact. Call (833) 270-7800 for a free consultation.
Understanding Nerve Damage
The body’s nervous system is divided into the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (all other nerves). Traumatic nerve damage most often affects the peripheral nerves and can manifest in several forms:
- Neurapraxia — the mildest form, where the nerve is stretched or compressed but not torn; may resolve over weeks to months
- Axonotmesis — the nerve fibers are damaged but the outer sheath remains intact; recovery is possible but slow
- Neurotmesis — the nerve is completely severed or destroyed; may result in permanent loss of function without surgical repair
Common Types of Nerve Injuries
- Brachial plexus injuries — damage to the network of nerves from the spine to the arm, causing weakness or paralysis in the shoulder, arm, and hand
- Radial nerve injuries — causing wrist drop and inability to extend the fingers
- Ulnar nerve injuries — affecting grip strength and fine motor control in the hand
- Sciatic nerve injuries — causing pain, numbness, and weakness radiating down the leg
- Peroneal nerve injuries — causing foot drop and difficulty walking
- Facial nerve damage — causing paralysis of facial muscles, affecting speech and expression
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) — a devastating condition where nerve damage triggers chronic, disproportionate pain in a limb
How Nerve Damage Occurs in Accidents
Traumatic nerve injuries result from various accident types throughout the Los Angeles area:
- Car and truck accidents — impact forces stretching, compressing, or severing nerves; seatbelt compression of the brachial plexus
- Motorcycle and bicycle crashes — falls on outstretched arms damaging shoulder and arm nerves
- Slip and fall accidents — herniated discs compressing spinal nerve roots
- Crush injuries — nerves trapped between bones or objects
- Lacerations — deep cuts severing peripheral nerves
- Dog bites — deep puncture wounds damaging nerves in hands, arms, and face
Symptoms of Nerve Damage
Nerve damage produces a distinctive set of symptoms that can be difficult to diagnose without specialized testing:
- Neuropathic pain — burning, shooting, stabbing, or electrical-shock sensations
- Numbness and tingling — loss of sensation in the affected area
- Weakness — inability to grip, lift, or move the affected body part normally
- Muscle atrophy — wasting of muscles that no longer receive proper nerve signals
- Hypersensitivity — normal touch becomes intensely painful (allodynia)
- Loss of reflexes — diminished or absent reflexes in the affected area
- Autonomic dysfunction — changes in sweating, skin temperature, and skin color in the affected area
Proving Nerve Damage in Court
Nerve damage cases require specialized medical evidence because the injury is not always visible on standard imaging. Attorney Desai uses:
- Electromyography (EMG) — measures electrical activity in muscles to detect nerve dysfunction
- Nerve conduction studies (NCS) — measures the speed and strength of electrical signals through nerves
- MRI neurography — specialized imaging that visualizes peripheral nerves
- Clinical examination records — documenting specific functional deficits, muscle weakness patterns, and sensory loss maps
- Expert neurologist testimony — connecting the accident to the nerve damage and explaining the prognosis
With 50+ jury trials and 5,000+ cases, Mr. Desai excels at making complex medical concepts accessible and persuasive to juries and insurance adjusters.
The Challenge of Invisible Injuries
Insurance companies aggressively challenge nerve damage claims because the injuries are often invisible. Common defense tactics include:
- Claiming the symptoms are subjective and cannot be verified
- Attributing the nerve damage to a pre-existing condition
- Arguing that nerve damage should heal on its own
- Minimizing the impact on the victim’s daily life
Mr. Desai’s background — 13 years as an LA County Public Defender — built the cross-examination and persuasion skills needed to dismantle these defenses in negotiation and at trial.
Compensation for Nerve Damage Victims
Victims in Glendale, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Burbank, and throughout Southern California can recover:
- Medical expenses — specialist consultations, EMG/NCS testing, surgery, and pain management
- Ongoing medication costs — neuropathic pain medications can be expensive and necessary indefinitely
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering — neuropathic pain is among the most severe chronic pain conditions
- Emotional distress from chronic pain and disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
California’s two-year statute of limitations applies (CCP Section 335.1). Comparative negligence under Civil Code Section 1714 may reduce but does not eliminate your claim if you share some fault.
Why Choose Anand Desai
Rated 5.0 stars on Google with 114 reviews, BBB A+ accredited, and Avvo Clients’ Choice 2025, Anand Desai provides no win, no fee representation in 11 languages. His trial experience and dedication to each client make him the right attorney for complex nerve damage cases. Available 24/7 from his Glendale office.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nerve Damage Claims
Can nerve damage be permanent?
Yes. While some nerve injuries heal over months, severe nerve damage — particularly neurotmesis (complete nerve severance) and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome — may be permanent. Even with surgical nerve repair, full function may never return. Your claim should account for the possibility of permanent damage.
What is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)?
CRPS is a chronic pain condition that can develop after nerve injury. It produces intense, burning pain, swelling, skin changes, and hypersensitivity that can spread beyond the original injury site. CRPS is recognized as one of the most painful chronic conditions in medicine and supports substantial compensation.
How do you prove nerve damage if it does not show on an MRI?
EMG and nerve conduction studies measure nerve function directly, providing objective evidence of nerve damage even when imaging looks normal. Clinical examinations documenting specific patterns of weakness, numbness, and reflex loss also provide strong evidence.
Can I get compensation for nerve damage from a minor car accident?
Yes. Nerve damage can result from even moderate-force impacts. Disc herniations that compress nerve roots, brachial plexus stretch injuries, and carpal tunnel syndrome triggered by impact are all compensable regardless of how minor the vehicle damage appears.
Will nerve damage affect my ability to work?
It can, depending on the location and severity of the nerve damage. Loss of grip strength, chronic pain, foot drop, or numbness can prevent you from performing your current job or limit future career options. Vocational experts help quantify this impact for your claim.
Free Consultation — No Win, No Fee
Nerve damage may be invisible, but its impact on your life is very real. Call (833) 270-7800 for a free consultation with Anand Desai, or contact us online. Available 24/7.