What if you couldn’t work because of the pain in your wrists, hands, and arms? Carpal tunnel syndrome may seem like a minor condition, but it can actually keep you from working. It can also cause you to need surgery, pain medication, braces, and you may no longer to be able to work in your chosen field. How would you support your family or pay for your medical expenses? Carpal tunnel may be covered by workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation is required in every state by most employers. It can help pay for medical expenses such as prescriptions, joint braces, physical therapy, or even surgery. Workers’ compensation has many other benefits as well. It’s designed as a safety net for workers who are hurt on the job. Risks of Developing Carpal Tunnel Carpal tunnel is also known as repetitive stress syndrome. It is caused by continuing to make the same motions with your hands and wrists. It may seem minor, but it can cause you to need reconstructive surgery or even put you out of work. Anyone who works with their hands is at risk for developing it. However, there are some occupations more likely to cause carpal tunnel: Administrative assistants do a lot of typing. Typing, making copies, putting away files, scanning documents, and other motions that require the continuous use of your hands and wrists. Over a long period of time, it causes damage to the nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This can cause long term pain, numbness, weakness, and the inability to use the hands. Cashiers and stockers are also at risk of carpal tunnel. Continuously moving products across the conveyor, putting items in bags, and carrying out bags of groceries over a long period of time can cause carpel tunnel. Production workers who work on an assembly line or who make products requiring the continual use of their hands are also at high risk for developing carpal tunnel. What About Pain and Suffering? Workers’ compensation involves an injury. So, many people associate it with personal injury. In personal injury cases, pain and suffering are damages that are often awarded. However, this is not the case with workers’ compensation. Don’t let the lack of pain and suffering deter you from filing a workers’ compensation claim. There are still many benefits that can help you when you’re hurt on the job. What Workers’ Compensation Can Pay For If you develop carpal tunnel from your job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Common workers’ compensation damages include: Help with medical expenses. A diagnosis of carpal tunnel can result in medical expenses. You may need surgery, doctors’ visits, prescriptions, or even surgery. Workers’ compensation can help cover those expenses. Lost wages. If you’re unable to work either part time or full time because of your carpal tunnel diagnosis, workers’ compensation may provide you with a portion of your lost wages. Job training. If you can no longer work in your chosen field because of your carpal tunnel, you may qualify to receive new job training through workers’ compensation. Learn More About Workers’ Compensation and Hire a Workers' Compensation Attorney If you have questions or want to learn more about workers’ compensation, you should take the time to talk with a qualified workers’ compensation attorney. You’ll be able to learn your rights and determine if you would benefit from representation.
