Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Not all work related injuries result from heavy, labor-intensive type jobs. Furthermore, not all workplace injuries are the result of an acute, or sudden accident at work, such as a slip and fall.

Injuries that result from certain postural positions, or repetitive types of activities, are increasingly common. On of these common types of work related injuries is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, sometimes referred to as median nerve compression, is a condition that causes pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hand. The carpal tunnel is an area of the wrist where the nerves running down the arm converge and pass through a section of bones, known as the carpal tunnel. Repetitive activities, such as typing, and handling of small materials, can result in problems in this area; things like inflammation, scar tissue, and bone abnormalities. The result is a narrowing of this small area, which results in increased pressure on the nerves leading to the hand.

In an economy where computers have become increasingly common, carpal tunnel syndrome injuries have, in turn, become increasingly prevalent. However, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is not limited to office workers. Electricians performing tasks such as splicing wires, are constantly engaged in repetitive twisting activities, which very often gives rise to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome over time. It is also important to note that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can also result from in an acute injury to the hand, wrist, elbow, or arm.

If you begin experiencing symptoms consistent with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome on the job, the first rule is to go to your doctor! Report the injury. Get the injury down on paper. Tell your doctor that your work activities are causing problems and make sure he or she notes that these problems are the result of activities at work. This is the single most important was to help ensure that you have a viable workers compensation claim down the road. Very often, early symptoms are a mere annoyance, and do not prevent an individual from doing his or her job. However, over time, as the symptoms become more severe, this is when most people begin to recognize the problem.

Employers can be generally skeptical of injuries that just appear out of nowhere. So, after reporting it to your doctor, be sure to put the Employer on notice. This is sometimes easier said than done. But an employee who makes efforts to ensure that his or her employer is on notice is doing themselves a service. Any time an injury is not “properly reported,” workers compensation insurance companies are quick to point it out. A paper trail, both in medical records, and with an Employer’s HR Department (for example), will help defeat an insurance companies defense on these grounds.

Lastly, if you begin to experience symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome on the job, call an experienced Massachusetts workers comp lawyer as soon as possible. Taking the proper steps early on in the life cycle of a workers compensation claim is not second nature to most people. An experienced workers compensation attorney deals with these issues all the time.

At Troupe Law Office, we have been actively representing injured workers and their families for close to 50 years. We are experienced workers compensation attorneys located on the North Shore of Boston in Peabody. We serve all of Massachusetts and actively represent injured workers in all Department of Industrial Accidents localities, including Boston, Lawrence, Worcester, Fall River, and Springfield.

Call us any time for a free consultation of your case.