Broderick Law Firm, LLC

Carpal Tunnel Workers’ Compensation Attorney

carpal tunnel lawyer kevin broderick

Serving Workers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Not all work injuries are sudden and dramatic. While some on-the-job injuries involve falls, being struck with objects and other abrupt incidents, some occur over time. Often, the employee won’t even be aware that they’re suffering an injury until the condition has progressed.

One of the most common of these longer-term injuries is carpal tunnel syndrome, a repetitive stress injury that impacts many people who do close work with their hands or repeat the same gesture many times during a work day.

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful disorder of the wrist that is caused by pressure on a nerve in the hand that extends into the thumb and some fingers. Early signs often include numbness or tingling in the hand, particularly the thumb, index, middle and ring fingers, and pain. In some cases, these symptoms extend up the arm, and even into the shoulder. In serious cases, the hand may become weaker, and the worker may experience some loss of dexterity.

What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is described as a repetitive stress injury, and is most commonly caused by repetitive motion. However, the condition may also arise as a result of holding the hand regularly or for extended periods in an awkward position that puts pressure on the nerve, or from gloves or equipment that apply pressure.

Some of the most common work-related causes of carpal tunnel syndrome include:

  • Typing and data entry
  • Scanning items at a cash register
  • Sewing
  • Scrubbing
  • Using a spray gun or air power hand tools
  • Assembling small parts
  • Operating a stamping machine
  • Cutting and deboning
  • Knitting

How is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treated?

Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome varies depending on the seriousness of the condition and other factors. In some cases, treatment is as simple as wearing a brace to prevent the harmful pressure. Sometimes, this allows the injured worker to return to work while reducing the pressure on the nerve. However, someone suffering from work-related carpal tunnel syndrome may face obstacles, since the use of the brace and/or limitations on how the worker can use the hand may make it impossible for them to perform their previous job. Or, accommodations may be required to make the job workable.

Anti-inflammatory drugs are also often used in treatment, whether over the counter medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen or prescription drugs such as corticosteroids.

But, braces, changes in activity and anti-inflammatory drugs aren’t always enough, even when used in combination. That’s surgery to release pressure on the nerve is the second most common surgical procedure in the United States. About 230,000 carpal tunnel surgeries are performed each year.

What comes next varies significantly. Some people are able to return to work just a week or two after carpal tunnel surgery. The average recovery time before returning to work is generally in the four to eight week range. But, some people take months to return to work, and a great many are never able to return to their previous jobs.

Carpal Tunnel Workers’ Compensation Claims

Generally, injuries sustained on the job are covered by workers’ compensation, whether they’re event-based injuries or the result of ongoing strain, environmental exposure, or some other developing harm. However, these claims aren’t always straightforward. Establishing that a repetitive stress injury was sustained on the job can be tougher than establishing that a fall or wound occurred on the job. That’s especially true if the worker hasn’t been in the current position long, or there are other possible contributing factors.

People suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome may also encounter problems during and after treatment, when employers may not want to offer accommodations or alternative employment. In some cases, carpal tunnel results in a long-term or permanent decrease in earning capacity.

An experienced Massachusetts workers’ compensation attorney can help you navigate a carpal tunnel claim and any obstacles you may encounter. Give yourself the best opportunity to secure the compensation you deserve by learning more about your rights and options now, before you enter into an agreement that may cut off your access to future compensation–including coverage of future medical care.

 Just call 978-459-3085 or fill out the contact form on this site to get a free consultation. Even if you aren’t sure if you have a case, it is always better to call and ask.

Have you been injured?

Let Attorney Kevin Broderick answer your questions and evaluate your personal injury or vehicle accident case for free!

CALL TODAY 978-459-3085

Kevin Broderick Law serves clients in Massachusetts and

New Hampshire.

 

Areas of service in

Massachusetts

 

Lowell

Lawrence

Littleton

Billerica

Andover

Chelmsford

Westford

Groton

Acton

Tyngsborough

Dracut

Methuen

 

Areas of Service in

New Hampshire

 

Hudson

Nashua

Pelham

Disclaimer

The information you obtain on this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters, and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.

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