In some cases, a workers’ compensation claim is fairly straightforward -- either the worker suffered from a blatantly clear work injury, like suffering a broken bone from something falling on it while working. In other cases, there may be hesitation or uncertainty when it comes to paying benefits for certain injuries. For example, many repetitive motion injuries can be questionable for many employers to cover under workers’ compensation. Carpal tunnel injuries can be painful and debilitating, which is why you need to retain the assistance of an attorney if your workers’ compensation claim for a carpal tunnel injury was denied.

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, a large nerve that runs down your arm to your hand, is compressed or pinched in the passageway from your arm to your hand. That passageway is called the carpal tunnel, which the median nerve must pass through to get to the hand. If the median nerve is pinched, a person may experience numbness or tingling in the hand, and sometimes pain. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include:

• Weakness in your hand
• Difficulty grasping or holding things
• Tingling or numbness in your hand, thumb, index, middle, or ring fingers
• Pain, burning, or tingling that moves up into your arm

Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in the Workplace

There are various causes of carpal tunnel syndrome, but it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the syndrome. The actual cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is pressure on the median nerve, but certain things can increase the risk that this will happen. Some risk factors are biological, meaning they are things that cannot be helped, such as sex or having other nerve-damaging conditions, like diabetes. However, there are also environmental factors that play a part in carpal tunnel syndrome development. In many cases, your line of work can be a factor in carpal tunnel syndrome development. Those who are in occupations that require repetitive or prolonged wrist movements such as manufacturing, computer work, musician, or even construction work, are at a higher risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

There are many different kinds of injuries that an employee can experience while on the job. The severity of an injury often depends on the type of industry. In some cases, injuries are apparent and require immediate medical attention. With these types of injuries, it may be easy to prove that the workplace was the direct cause of the accident. However, certain work-related injuries can take weeks or months to present symptoms or fully manifest, making it more difficult for an individual to seek benefits. An example of this type of injury carpal tunnel syndrome, which is a common repetitive motion injury that affects a person’s hands and wrists. Most Illinois companies are required to carry workers’ compensation benefits for their employees in the event of a workplace accident. A skilled attorney can explain your options for seeking benefits by filing a workers’ compensation claim for this type of injury, whether you work in an office, a warehouse, or at a construction site.

Repeated Strain on Body Parts

Some injuries occur immediately upon impact, such as a broken leg or arm after falling from a ladder or scaffolding or being crushed by a machine. Others can gradually appear over an extended period of time. A repetitive motion injury (RMI), also known as a repetitive strain injury (RSI) is one that is caused by using the same body parts over and over again. The damage inflicted can affect an individual’s joints, nerves, tendons, or muscles. Studies from the Pain Relief Institute show that repetitive stress injuries account for up to 75 percent of all workplace injuries in the United States.

A few of the typical activities that can cause these repetitive injuries include:

Although most companies take steps to prevent workplace accidents, they can still occur regardless of the occupation. Depending on the circumstances, injuries can range from minor to life-threatening. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 5,250 employees died from a work-related injury in the United States in 2018. Workers’ compensation is a benefits system for workers who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses, paid by their employers.

The Illinois Workers Compensation Commission resolves disputes cases involving work-related injuries and illnesses between employees and employers. In certain scenarios, a worker may have a pre-existing medical ailment that can be aggravated by an injury at work. Pursuing a workers’ comp claim in these cases can be complicated, so it is important to have an experienced attorney assist you in completing the process.

Examples of Previous Medical Ailments or Injuries

When it comes to work accidents, they are treated (differently) than an injury that occurred at another private property. If a person slips in a grocery store and breaks their leg, they may be able to sue the store for negligence. When an employee is injured, instead of filing a personal injury lawsuit against their employer, workers’ compensation kicks in instead. Whether a workplace accident is caused by an employee or employer, the employee is eligible for benefits and unable to sue the employer. They may, however, sue any third-parties associated with the injury occurrence.

What Benefits Does Workers’ Compensation Provide?

Workers’ compensation is meant to help employees if they are injured on the job and cannot return to work, and/or require medical treatment. Any eligible employee has the right to file for workers’ compensation benefits, but they will not be granted for injuries that a basic first aid kit can cover. Depending on how long the employee needs to restrain from work, and their working abilities after an accident, they will be provided with a replacement wage. For any medical treatment required to heal the injury or illness caused by work, it will be at no cost to the employee.

From office workers to construction workers, it is possible for any person at work to become injured on the job. Some of the reasons people need to file for workers’ compensation overlap despite being in different industries. Luckily, no matter how dangerous a job can be, most employees are covered by workers’ compensation.

What Is Workers’ Compensation?

No matter how large or small a business is, most employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. This provides protection to employees in the event they are injured as a result of conditions at work. Every employee is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if they qualify for it. For example, an employee falling off a ladder and obtaining an injury that prevents them from working for a short period would likely qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. An employee who was recklessly engaged in drugs or alcohol while at work, and fell off a ladder, would likely not qualify for workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation pays for missed wages as well as medical care as a result of a workplace accident.