Can I Claim Compensation if I Develop Carpal Tunnel Syndrome From My Job?

 Posted on May 07, 2021 in Workers Comp

In some cases, a workers’ compensation claim is fairly straightforward -- either the worker suffered from a blatantly clear work injury, like suffering a broken bone from something falling on it while working. In other cases, there may be hesitation or uncertainty when it comes to paying benefits for certain injuries. For example, many repetitive motion injuries can be questionable for many employers to cover under workers’ compensation. Carpal tunnel injuries can be painful and debilitating, which is why you need to retain the assistance of an attorney if your workers’ compensation claim for a carpal tunnel injury was denied.

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, a large nerve that runs down your arm to your hand, is compressed or pinched in the passageway from your arm to your hand. That passageway is called the carpal tunnel, which the median nerve must pass through to get to the hand. If the median nerve is pinched, a person may experience numbness or tingling in the hand, and sometimes pain. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include:

• Weakness in your hand
• Difficulty grasping or holding things
• Tingling or numbness in your hand, thumb, index, middle, or ring fingers
• Pain, burning, or tingling that moves up into your arm

Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in the Workplace

There are various causes of carpal tunnel syndrome, but it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the syndrome. The actual cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is pressure on the median nerve, but certain things can increase the risk that this will happen. Some risk factors are biological, meaning they are things that cannot be helped, such as sex or having other nerve-damaging conditions, like diabetes. However, there are also environmental factors that play a part in carpal tunnel syndrome development. In many cases, your line of work can be a factor in carpal tunnel syndrome development. Those who are in occupations that require repetitive or prolonged wrist movements such as manufacturing, computer work, musician, or even construction work, are at a higher risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

An Orland Park, IL Workplace Injury Lawyer is Here to Help

If you have been injured while at work, you deserve compensation. If your employer or the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission denies your claim for carpal tunnel syndrome, you should immediately speak to a skilled Illinois workplace injury attorney. Issa Law, LLC can help you with any issue you may be facing when it comes to workplace injuries. To schedule a time to speak with a member of our team, call our office today at 708-966-2408 to set up a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2430&ChapterID=68

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20355603

https://www.healthline.com/health/carpal-tunnel-syndrome#riskfactors