Guideline for the medicolegal assessment of claimants with chonic pain conditions fifth update
The "medicolegal assessment of claimants with chronic pain conditions" guideline (AMWF register number 187-006) has been updated for the fifith time. The classification of chronic primary and secondary pain in
ICD 11 has now been included. The guideline is to be applied for people suffering chronic primary and secondary pain where there is a discrepancy between perceived pain and somatic findings. The assessment is to be performed on an interdisciplinary basis to include a report by both somatic medical and psychiatric/psychosomatic/psychological specialists.
In the event of physical injury, ordinary pain must be expected and will depend on the extent of such injury. Extraordinary pain can be caused by complex regional pain syndromes, phantom pain following amputations and other neuropatic pain conditions. Extraordinary pain can result in higher compensation. Insurance benefits are calculated not on the basis of pain related diagnoses, but on their impact on activities and participation, including physical and mental capacity.
The procedure in assessments where there is a question of cause (context) has been specified. Pain conditions must have started in a plausible temporal context with the primary injury after the damaging event. Competing and contextual factors must be clarified.
