Carpal Tunnel Workers’ Comp: What Can You Expect?

Carpal Tunnel in the Workplace

Carpal tunnel syndrome begins with repetitive hand or finger motions. This condition can develop due to certain activities you perform at work. Many workers wonder whether carpal tunnel qualifies for workers’ comp and what to expect when filing a claim. Here’s what you need to know about carpal tunnel syndrome and workers’ comp.

Causes and Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Typing can cause carpal tunnel, as can lifting, twisting dials or valves, using scissors and performing other activities that stress the hand, fingers and wrist. These motions irritate the transverse carpal ligament in your wrist, causing it to swell and press on the median nerve that sits under the ligament in an area called the carpal tunnel.

The median nerve runs down the inside of your arm through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. It controls your hand, wrist and fingers and provides sensory feedback from these areas to your brain.

You can experience the following symptoms when the transverse carpal ligament compresses the median nerve:

• Pain

• Numbness

• Weakness

• Reduced dexterity and flexibility

Since this injury often results from your work activities, it may interfere with your ability to perform your job. For example, typing with carpal tunnel can be a challenge if you’re dealing with numbness and weakness in your hand.

Can I Get Workers' Comp for Carpal Tunnel?

You probably know that workers’ comp provides medical and disability benefits for acute injuries like neck pain after a work-related car accident. However, workers’ compensation is not limited to these situations. You can also file a workers’ comp claim for carpal tunnel that happened in the course and scope of your employment.

Because workers’ compensation is a no-fault system that pays benefits for on-the-job injuries and occupational illnesses, you do not need to prove your employer did anything wrong. You do not even need to prove the company knew you might develop the injury. Instead, you only need to prove that your work activities caused the condition or aggravated a pre-existing condition within your state's set deadlines.

Average Settlement for Carpal Tunnel Workers’ Comp

What is the average payout for carpal tunnel? Workers’ compensation settlements depend on many factors, including the treatment you receive and the time you miss from work. The amount paid by workers’ compensation insurers varies by state, but most pay 100% of your medical bills and two-thirds of your missed wages.

Doctors can treat minor carpal tunnel cases with anti-inflammatory drugs or wrist splints. However, a moderate to severe case may require surgery, where the doctor cuts the transverse carpal ligament pressing on the median nerve. With the pressure relieved, inflammation of the median nerve will subside, and the symptoms should dissipate.

A study found that the cost of carpal tunnel surgery can be estimated using two different tools. One tool gave a median cost of $10,273, with a range of $1,810 to $19,112. Another tool gave a median cost of $7,680, with a range of $918 to $27,085.

The amount of time you will miss from work depends on your job. If you have a desk job, you may only miss one or two days, although you might not be able to type until the doctor removes the bandage or split after one to two weeks. Patients with more strenuous job duties, like construction workers, might miss a few weeks.

Thus, the average benefit will probably include roughly $7,000 to $10,000 to pay for surgery and two-thirds of the money you would earn over two to three weeks. A bilateral carpal tunnel settlement would cover the costs of surgeries on both wrists, but will still only pay two-thirds of the two to three-week recovery time.

How to Win a Carpal Tunnel Workers’ Comp Claim

To win a carpal tunnel claim, you must show your job caused your repetitive stress injury. Your employer’s worker’s comp insurer might deny your claim asserting that your injuries had some other cause.

For example, sporting activities like golf, tennis and rock climbing can cause carpal tunnel. If your injury happened on personal time performing non-work activities, you cannot get workers’ comp benefits.

To prove the source of your injuries, you may need to testify about your job duties and the onset of your symptoms. Your doctor may also need to testify about the causes of your injury. Your workers’ comp lawyer may even hire an expert to analyze your medical records in light of your job duties.

You will then submit this evidence to the workers’ comp insurer. If it persists in denying your claim, you may need to request a hearing with your state’s workers’ compensation board or commission. This body reviews claim denials and has the power to reverse them.

Learn More About Carpal Tunnel Workers’ Comp From ConsumerShield

Carpal tunnel can affect your ability to work. The pain and discomfort can also affect other aspects of your life, from engaging in hobbies to getting a good night’s rest. ConsumerShield helps injured people understand their rights and find a lawyer who can guide them. Contact us for a free case evaluation today.