Carpal tunnel syndrome is a well-known injury that people often associate with repetitive work tasks like typing. In some cases, the injury may be more complex than this, but work tasks are still one of the main causes of this injury. Because of that, Workers’ Comp claims are common for carpal tunnel.
As long as the injury was “work-related,” you can get Workers’ Comp benefits for it. This allows coverage for physical therapy, lost wages, and even surgeries to treat carpal tunnel.
Call Cardamone Law’s Certified Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at (267) 651-7945 for a free case evaluation today.
What Exactly is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Many people know carpal tunnel is a wrist injury, but they might not know exactly what signs or symptoms to look for.
What is a “Carpal Tunnel”?
Your carpal tunnel is a small area in your wrist where nerves pass through from your forearm into your hand. This small tunnel can collapse on the nerve, causing pressure and potential nerve damage.
Nerve Compression
When the tunnel compresses on the nerve, it can partially or completely cut off that nerve’s ability to transmit signals. Compression of the median nerve at the wrist often affects the thumb, index, and middle fingers, plus half of your ring finger.
Symptoms
This can result in pain, numbness, pins-and-needles sensations, and reduced motor skills. This could make it impossible to do work tasks like typing or fine motor skills. It can also mean waking up in the middle of the night with numb hands or even facing constant pain and numbness in your hands.
How Does Carpal Tunnel Happen at Work?
Repetitive stress tasks and genetic factors are some of the most common risk factors for carpal tunnel. If you perform repetitive tasks, like typing, that is commonly what carpal tunnel syndrome will be attributed to.
In many cases, it is a bit more complex, which is why you should always have a doctor examine you and diagnose the cause, then work with our Delaware County, PA Workers’ Comp lawyers on your claim.
Qualifying for Workers’ Comp
If your carpal tunnel syndrome meets these requirements, Workers’ Comp can cover it.
Work-Related Injury
An injury must be work-related to qualify. This can mean it came from an accident caused by dangerous work conditions.
More commonly for carpal tunnel, the injury will stem from tasks you perform within the scope of your job. This requires a doctor’s report saying that is the cause.
Disabling Injury
The injury must be disabling to get you wage-loss benefits. Especially when carpal tunnel requires surgery, the recovery time will often be enough to meet the 7-day disability requirement.
Do You Need to Be an Employee for Workers’ Comp?
Generally, Workers’ Comp only covers employees.
Employees vs. Independent Contractors
An employee works for someone else for wages, and their employer controls their work closely. This often means employers control the employee’s workplace, schedule, and manner of work.
Independent contractors, on the other hand, are often hired for specific jobs, not an ongoing service. They also work at their own pace and under their own direction.
Misclassification
Whether you are an employee or not is not the employer’s decision; it is up to what the law says. Many employers try to misclassify workers as contractors so they do not have to pay, but it is up to them to prove that status when you make a claim.
We can file anyway and fight for benefits if we think you were misclassified.
How Do You Prove Carpal Tunnel Injuries?
You need proper proof of your carpal tunnel syndrome to get benefits paid.
Medical Records
Your records of pain, when the numbness started, and other symptoms and diagnoses will be vital in proving the injury exists and how bad it is.
Doctor’s Reports
You also need a doctor’s report. This will be the primary piece of evidence the Workers’ Comp insurance carrier or Workers’ Comp Judge will look at in deciding that the injury is work-related and disabling.
Proof of Disability
As implied above, that report should also state that the injury is disabling. If the injury does not stop you from working, then you do not get wage-loss benefits.
Is Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery Covered Under Workers’ Comp?
If your doctors think you need surgery to treat the injury, then it should be covered. Carpal tunnel release is the most common surgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome.
This procedure involves cutting the ligament that compresses the nerves, relieving the pressure. This can often be done with minimally invasive techniques to cut down on the size of the incision and recovery time.
What About Cubital Release Surgery?
Cubital tunnel syndrome is quite common for people who have carpal tunnel syndrome. This is a similar issue, but located at the elbow instead of the wrist.
If you need both surgeries because of work-related conditions, both should be covered. In many cases, patients will even get both surgeries at the same time, cutting down on recovery time and interruption to their life.
How Long Can You Get Workers’ Comp?
Workers’ Compensation can last for a long time, if needed – but carpal tunnel typically only requires limited benefits.
Partial vs. Total Disability
Proper functioning of your wrist is needed for most jobs, and so you may be totally disabled while your condition persists. However, it is up to a doctor to rate that injury, which will determine how long your benefits can last.
Total disability can last as long as your work is interrupted; partial disability lasts 500 weeks max. However, carpal tunnel symptoms often do not last that long.
Doctor’s Orders
If you need limited work tasks or accommodations, your doctor will tell you. Listen to what they say; do not work beyond light-duty work orders.
Typical Recovery Time
If you undergo surgery for carpal tunnel, the recovery time is typically 6-12 weeks. You may be able to go back to work at that time, or even sooner if you can follow light-duty accommodations or work without really using that hand.
Do You Need a Lawyer for Workers’ Comp?
Generally, you should work with a lawyer. This system is complex, and it may be impossible to proceed if you cannot pay for medical exams and evidence collection. We can cover these evidence collection costs, recover the costs when we win the case, and represent you throughout the process.
What if Your Claim is Denied?
If your employer or their insurance carrier denies your claim, we can file a formal claim before a Workers’ Comp Judge.
Can You Sue for Carpal Tunnel at Work?
Often, no. These injuries are not typically caused by someone else’s mistakes, but rather repetitive stress/strain over time.
If there is something like a dangerous product that contributed to the injury, we may be able to sue its manufacturer, but even this is uncommon for carpal tunnel injuries.
Call Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in Pennsylvania Today
Call the Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation lawyers at Cardamone Law today at (267) 651-7945 for a free case review.
