Picture yourself working as, perhaps an assembly line worker, a barber, or any job that requires your hands to be used by a great deal. You suddenly feel numbness or tingling in your palm and fingers. Is your hand aching from a temporary muscle tightening? Maybe, but you could also be suffering from the initial symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
This condition develops when the median nerve, which stretches from your arm into the palm of your hand, endures pressure at the wrist. The median nerve is what controls the movement of your thumb and every finger except the pinky. Tension on the nerve tunnel at the wrist causes the canal to get smaller, which eventually leads to irritation of the nerve.
As the condition gets worse, you may experience loss of grip strength and the ability to distinguish hot and cold with your fingers. It can get quite painful as the symptoms progress over time.
Common carpal tunnel syndrome causes include:
- The positioning of your wrists when using your keyboard or mouse
- Extended exposure to vibrations from hand tools or power tools
- Any other repetitive motion that overextends your wrist, like typing or sewing
The injury is usually work-related. And you may have a valid legal claim, especially if your job demands hand movement. You can even file a workers’ compensation claim if you develop symptoms after leaving that particular occupation.
Workers’ compensation laws in California impose that carpal tunnel syndrome is a compensable medical injury. If you are suffering from symptoms of the condition, you may be entitled to recover a settlement for your medical expenses, lost wages, and the resulting level of disability.
Should You File a Workers’ Comp Claim for Carpal Tunnel?
The workers’ compensation laws in California require most employers to carry insurance. These laws intend to give you benefits like medical costs and a portion of pay of the injury has affected your ability to work.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common claims filed by workers. If you have been suffering from symptoms caused by your occupation, you may qualify for compensation even if you have left that particular job.
The basic requirements to be eligible for workers’ compensation claims include:
- Period of employment of at least six months
- A condition that arose from tasks at work
- An injury that did not occur because of non-work-related factors
See if you qualify workers’ compensation benefits in California today.
How Much Compensation Do You Get for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Workers’ compensation settlements come down to several key factors. Your medical expenses like doctors’ visits, prescription, carpal tunnel surgery, and rehabilitation will probably cover the highest cost.
The work you missed and the wages you lost because of your injury should also add some value to your claim. This is referred to as temporary disability benefits by law.
Lastly, you can recover compensation if the injury has caused permanent disability. Your employer may have to offer you training for a new role. But if that does not work out, you can get benefits for the impact of the condition on your life.
Depending on the severity of your injury, the carpal tunnel workers’ compensation average settlement in California range from $40,000 to $1,700,000. The workers’ compensation board is tasked with monitoring the administration of claims and providing services to assist in the resolution of disputes.
Get Qualified for Work Comp Benefits Today
Time is of the essence when it comes to workers’ compensation claims. If you have developed carpal tunnel syndrome as a work-related injury, you might need a workers compensation attorney now.