Like 4.6% of Americans, a man named Mr. Mathis developed an autoimmune disease.[1] He was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a genetic condition that causes back pain and impairs mobility.[2]
After being struck in a low-speed collision, Mathis’ condition took a turn for the worse. Fulginiti Law fought for Mr. Mathis and recovered $3.8 million to help pay for his trauma.
But what does a motor vehicle accident have to do with a genetic disease? The answer lies in the complex and fragile workings of the immune system.
An Immune System in Overdrive
In conditions like AS, the body’s defenses go haywire, attacking healthy tissues and organs. Autoimmune diseases pump high levels of immune system cells (inflammation) throughout the body.
People with autoimmune diseases fluctuate between periods of intense symptoms and remission. These flare-ups cause permanent damage and promote additional health problems, including heart disease and some cancers.[3]
The True Cost of Ankylosing Spondylitis
AS is a form of inflammatory arthritis that can lead to fused vertebrae in the spine, causing stiffness and immobility. Other joints may also be affected, including those in the ribs, making it painful to take deep breaths. Inflammation often spreads to other parts of the body, as well, leading to vision, digestion, and skin problems.[2]
AS doesn’t just affect the quality of life. It also takes a significant financial toll. Studies suggest that people with AS have 10-fold greater median healthcare costs than their peers.[4] AS and other autoimmune diseases are commonly managed with expensive therapies called biologics, which work by targeting specific pathways of the immune system.
Aside from paying more for healthcare and medication, people with AS also face numerous indirect costs related to reduced productivity, caregiving needs, and progressive disability.
Genes Fill the Tank, But Trauma Turns the Key
AS is considered a congenital disease. It’s thought to be caused by genes that are passed down through families.
“Ankylosing spondylitis cannot be caused by trauma,” explained Chief of General Neurology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dr. Mary A. O’Neal. “The current consensus in the medical literature is that ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic, immune-mediated disease with a strong genetic predisposition, most notably associated with HLA-B27.”
Although experts estimate that 8% of people have the genes for AS, only 5% to 10% of individuals among this group actually develop the condition.[5] Environmental triggers can influence the manifestation of signs and symptoms.
Dr. O’Neal acknowledges the potential impact of physical injuries. “Mechanical stress can amplify inflammation, potentially accelerating disease progression, but only in the context of the underlying condition already there,” she explained.
In Mr. Mathis’ case, the lawyers at Fulginiti Law successfully argued that the trauma from his accident was enough to make his pre-existing condition worse.
Research has shed light on the connection between physical trauma and autoimmune diseases.[6] But the concept isn’t always easy to drive home. If your health has spiraled after an injury, you need answers to take back control.
Are You Feeling Stranded After a Recent Accident?
At Fulginiti Law, our attorneys know firsthand how one accident can completely derail someone’s life. In cases of an autoimmune disease, the emotional, physical, and financial effects of trauma can be catastrophic.
Between 2011 and 2022,15 million people in the United States were diagnosed with an autoimmune condition.[1] Are you navigating a health crisis in the aftermath of a traumatic event? Don’t do it alone. Fulginiti Law has over 35 years of experience and has won more than $500 million for people like you.
References:
- Abend AH, He I, Bahroos N, et al. Estimation of prevalence of autoimmune diseases in the United States using electronic health record data. Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2025;135(4):e178722. doi:10.1172/JCI178722
- Ankylosing Spondylitis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Updated May 2023.
- Hässler S, Lorenzon R, Binvignat M, et al. Clinical correlates of lifetime and current comorbidity patterns in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Journal of Autoimmunity. 2024;149:103318. doi: 10.1016/j.jaut.2024.103318
- Counting the Costs of Ankylosing Spondylitis. Ro Research Outreach. March 6, 2019.
- Ankylosing Spondylitis Causes. National Health Service. Updated January 5, 2023.
Păsăran ED, Diaconu AE, Oancea C, et al. An actual insight into the pathogenic pathways of ankylosing spondylitis. CIMB. 2024;46(11):12800-12812. doi: 10.3390/cimb46110762
