Not every workplace injury is as dramatic as falling off a roof or getting burned when your computer explodes. Even workers in low-risk industries can suffer painful, even crippling injuries. Carpal tunnel is a type of repetitive stress injury which thousands of workers suffer from. Many secretaries, data entry clerks, and cashiers are injured because they make small, repetitive movements throughout the day, such as typing or moving items.
At Ball, Kirk & Holm, P.C., our Cedar Falls workers’ compensation attorney can help you qualify for benefits for any on-the-job injury, including carpal tunnel. Call us today to speak with a representative from our firm. We make ourselves available to clients 24/7.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
This is an injury affecting the median nerve in the wrist. It passes through a tunnel consisting of bone, with a ligament protecting the nerve, and extends through some of the fingers. Unfortunately, many repetitive small movements can lead to inflammation of the ligament, which then presses on the median nerve.
Due to the compression, you can feel numbness in your hand or fingers. Sometimes, the pain will go away on its own with sufficient rest or stretching. But most workers try to power through the pain. After all, they need to work to earn money. If you don’t rest, however, the inflammation will only get worse, and pain can become disabling.
Treatment for Carpal Tunnel
If you notice pain or numbness, then you might go to the doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Conservative treatment is often a first line of defense and can include over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen, as well as regular stretching and ice to reduce swelling. A doctor might also put your hand in a splint, which can limit the range of movement.
Other options include corticosteroids shots, which should reduce inflammation if over-the-counter medications aren’t helpful.
Some patients need surgery to deal with severe carpal tunnel or with a condition that doesn’t improve with conservative treatment. Surgery will alleviate the pressure put on your median nerve by cutting the ligament. You will certainly need to rest after surgery, and some patients come down with complications, like infection.
Does Carpal Tunnel Qualify for Workers’ Compensation?
Yes. This is a legitimate on-the-job injury. Carpal tunnel is fairly common with jobs where workers make many repetitive motions with their hands. Typing and key stroking for data entry are common triggers.
Carpal tunnel can be so painful that some people will never improve unless they have surgery. You should meet with one of our lawyers if you have questions. Your employer’s insurer might try to minimize the pain you are experiencing.
Depending on your job, carpal tunnel could force you to take time away from work. Unfortunately, some workers hesitate to take time off for a soft-tissue injury like this because they fear their boss will think they are exaggerating the pain. But an employer cannot retaliate against you for making a workers’ compensation claim.
Will Workers’ Compensation Pay for Medical Care?
Yes. If you suffered carpal tunnel on the job, then your employer should pay for medical treatment. These expenses include the cost of surgery, prescription medication, splints, and other costs. You might also need to rearrange your workstation or start using an ergonomic keyboard to reduce pressure.
Can You Receive Disability Benefits?
Yes, if the injury is serious enough to keep you out of work. Severe carpal tunnel is very difficult to overcome. Workers might qualify for temporary or total disability benefits.
Challenges with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome & Workers’ Comp
We wish everyone who needed workers’ compensation benefits received them. As experienced attorneys, we have seen workers confront certain problems:
- The insurer tries to attribute your carpal tunnel to activities outside work. For example, you might play the piano or organ at church. Your employer might try to claim this is an off-the-job injury. However, if you make repetitive motions at work—such as typing all the time—then we can usually link the injury to your job.
- Your company’s doctor clears you to return to work. Carpal tunnel takes time to properly heal. However, your employer might try to get you back into work quickly so they can stop paying benefits. If you start working too soon, you’ll simply retrigger the injury.
- Your doctor is pushing surgery. You might be afraid of surgery or want to try conservative treatments first.
- Your employer doesn’t think you’re in pain. Because this is an invisible injury, some workers are pressured to get back to work, or at least light duty.
Call Ball, Kirk & Holm, P.C. We will review the dispute you are having and advise you of your rights. Often, we can successfully argue you deserve workers’ compensation benefits, including disability benefits.
Steps to Take if You Are Hurt
Workers’ compensation benefits are a big help to anyone suffering a repetitive motion injury like carpal tunnel syndrome. We recommend you take the following steps to preserve your rights:
1. Report the pain you are experiencing immediately to your boss. You technically get 90 days to report, but you shouldn’t wait.
2. Receive immediate medical treatment. Your employer can require that you meet with the company physician or choose a doctor from a list provided. You should avoid seeing a doctor outside the network, since your care might not be covered.
3. Follow your doctor’s orders, which might require rest and regular stretching.
4. Keep medical bills if your employer is not covering them. We can get them paid later if your claim is approved.
5. Fill out a claim form. Ensure the form is completed accurately and completely.
Speak to an Experienced Cedar Falls Workers’ Compensation Attorney
This is also a critical step. A seasoned lawyer is a big help when trying to navigate a complicated benefit system like workers’ comp. Please call us today to schedule a meeting with a member of our legal team. We can review your records and advise you of your chances to get approved. If hired, we’ll fight to win your claim.