Carpal tunnel syndrome is one among many repetitive stress injuries and is becoming more and more common among workers who are stationed in one place, like at a computer or work station, all day long. Luckily, there is something called workers’ compensation that can help with this. Workers’ compensation is an insurance provided by employers to help protect employees in the event that they are injured while working. When there is an overload of compression on the median nerve and all of the tendons that allow your fingers to flex, carpal tunnel syndrome can occur. This condition may lead to numbness, pain, and tingling of the wrist and hand. Whilst there are numerous factors that may cause carpal tunnel syndrome, it is quite often the result of performing repetitive tasks, like using a cash register, typing and laying carpentry. Fortunately, there are a lot of treatments available for victims of carpal tunnel syndrome, including splinting the wrist and hand, carpal tunnel release, steroid injections by a doctor, chiropractic care, and rest. Many of these treatments can be expensive, so individuals people look for compensation in workers’ compensation. Workers have a legal right to individually pursue damages for carpal tunnel syndrome if they can provide proof that their injury occurred while they were working on the job. It can be very difficult to prove that the carpal tunnel syndrome was not caused by something else. For example, if work as a cashier full time but also play hess, your employer may argue that your injury was caused by your chess playing.
Some states actually classify carpal tunnel syndrome as an accident, but some classify it as an “occupational disease”Â. If CTS is considered an occupational disease in your state, you have to be able to prove that your job exposed you to the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome compared to your day to day activities. However, if this condition is considered an accident in your state, you will have to convince a jury or insurance adjuster that your injury was your employer’s fault. If you want to pursue a workers’ compensation lawsuit, it is in your best interest to hire an experienced attorney such as the Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Queens NY locals turn to. He or she can help you convince a jury or insurance adjuster that you deserve to be compensated by your employer for your injury. If you developed carpal tunnel syndrome at your workplace, you may want to speak to a workers’ compensation lawyer. He or she can review your case and recommend the best way to proceed.
Thanks to authors at Polsky, Shouldice, & Rosen P.C. for their insight into Workers’ Compensation.
