Suffering from Carpal Tunnel Injury?
Our California Workers’ Compensation Attorneys are Here to Help
Not all workplace injuries occur as a result of a traumatic accident. Some injuries accrue over time. They may be minor and difficult to identify at first, but over time, they can worsen and become debilitating. One of the most common conditions suffered by workers who engage in repeated activities every day, such as typing, is known as carpal tunnel syndrome. In fact, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), carpal tunnel surgery is the second most common type of surgery for workers, representing over 200,000 procedures every year.
If you develop carpal tunnel syndrome as a result of performing your job duties, the California workers’ compensation law firm Invictus Law is ready to help you file your workers’ comp claims and maximize your coverage. If you have a painful or debilitating condition because of the nature of your work, you are entitled to coverage. We can help you get the medical care and the financial compensation you are owed as a result of your carpal tunnel or other repetitive stress injury.
What Is Carpal Tunnel?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition caused by damage to one of the major nerves to the hand, known as the median nerve. Carpal tunnel occurs when the median nerve is squeezed or compressed as it travels through the wrist, either due to trauma or repeated unnatural movements.
The majority of carpal tunnel cases are caused by repeating the same hand or wrist motions, or flexing/extending the wrist or hand in unnatural positions over an extended period of time. Even actions that appear as innocuous as typing on a keyboard can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome if performed constantly throughout the day for a number of years. Carpal tunnel can also be caused by a traumatic event such as a car crash or workplace accident. Workers who are forced to repeat uncomfortable or unnatural movements repeatedly over an extended period often suffer from the condition.
For most people, carpal tunnel worsens over time, especially without treatment and corrective behavioral adjustments. If detected early, it may be treatable with a splint or by avoiding certain activities. If left untreated, however, permanent nerve damage may occur, requiring surgery for even the hope of total recovery.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel
Carpal tunnel syndrome can manifest in many ways. According to the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms typically start gradually and then worsen over time, moving from occasional to constant. The primary symptoms of carpal tunnel are numbness, tingling, weakness, burning, and pain in the affected extremities.
Often, affected workers will start to notice tingling and numbness in their fingers or hand, typically fingers other than the little finger. Workers may feel something like an electric shock in those fingers. Injured parties often try to “shake out” the sensation, as the numb feeling starts to become constant over time. In more serious cases, the worker may experience weakness that exacerbates over time, rendering it difficult to grip objects and keep from dropping things.
If you experience any symptoms of carpal tunnel that adversely affect your ability to perform workplace tasks, daily activities, or sleep patterns, see a doctor immediately. Without proper treatment, permanent nerve damage and consequent functional limitations can occur.
Does California Workers’ Compensation Cover Carpal Tunnel?
California law requires all employers with at least one employee to maintain workers’ compensation coverage for their employees. Workers’ comp coverage applies to any injury or illness that occurs in the workplace or as a result of performing work-related duties. Workers’ comp covers both physical and mental conditions, and it covers both injuries that occur on the spot due to an accident as well as conditions that develop over time. In short, California workers’ comp will cover carpal tunnel and other repetitive stress injuries, so long as the employee can demonstrate that the condition arose as a result of performing their job.
Proving repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome can be a tricky prospect. The employee must be able to show that the condition was caused by working and not by unrelated factors such as sports and other leisure activities. If you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome caused by your work environment, it’s vital to get a seasoned California workers’ comp attorney on your side to protect your rights and build your strongest case for workers’ comp coverage.
Reach Out to Invictus Law for Help With a Carpal Tunnel Workers’ Comp Claim in Orange County and the Inland Empire
If you’ve been hurt on the job in California and need help securing fast, complete workers’ compensation benefits, contact an experienced, savvy, and thorough Orange County workers’ compensation lawyer at Invictus Law at 949-287-5711, serving Orange County and the Inland Empire with offices in Orange and Ontario.
