Carpal tunnel syndrome is a medical condition caused by damage to the median nerve. This nerve runs from the forearm to the palm of the hand. It controls sensation on the palm side of the fingers and thumb. When the median nerve becomes squeezed or subjected to pressure, it can cause significant pain and limit mobility. Unfortunately, this condition is one of the most common workplace injuries.
Workers who do the same motions over-and-over with their hands frequently experience higher rates of carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition can be considered a work-related impairment that makes individuals eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
If you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome due to your work, you should consult with an experienced worker’s compensation attorney from Shor & Levin, P.C., for assistance in pursuing a benefits claim. Contact us today. We serve clients throughout Pennsylvania.
Carpal Tunnel and Work Injuries
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has broken down the incidence rates of carpal tunnel cases by occupation per 10,000 full-time workers. The graph below shows the higher occurrence of carpal tunnel in some professions:
Source: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/osh2.pdf
As the data show, there are higher rates of carpal tunnel among employees in industries where the nerves and hands are subjected to repetitive stress from doing the same motions over-and-over. These professions include:
- Bus drivers
- Tractor-trailer drivers
- Maids
- Housecleaners
- Carpenters.
The BLS also breaks down the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome into different private industry sectors. As expected, manufacturing workers have significantly higher rates of carpal tunnel than individuals in other fields. Assembly line workers are especially likely to suffer damage to the median nerve.
Source: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/osh2.pdf
To be eligible for Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits, a worker must prove that their carpal tunnel is work-related. Higher-than-normal rates of the syndrome within certain fields can serve as circumstantial evidence that may make it easier to demonstrate a link between the job and the condition.
Causes and Consequences of Carpal Tunnel Injuries on-the-Job
Certain jobs, by their nature, require the types of repetitive motion that result in carpal tunnel syndrome developing. The BLS tracks the event or incident causing the carpal tunnel syndrome. The following chart illustrates the most common causes of this condition among workers:
Source: http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/osh/case/ostb2202.pdf
When carpal tunnel syndrome occurs due to on-the-job injuries, an employee has a right to make a workers’ compensation claim. Even if employers have attempted to reduce the risks of carpal tunnel, a worker can still be eligible for benefits since there is no requirement of negligence or wrongdoing for work injury claims.
Contact a PA Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer from Shor & Levin, P.C., can help you to pursue a workers’ compensation if you have developed carpal tunnel syndrome due to your job. Call today or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.