Florida Workers’ Compensation and Carpal Tunnel Injuries
Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers | Workers’ Compensation
If you perform repetitive movements with your hands and wrists, you risk developing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The National Library of Medicine reports that up to three out of every 1,000 people in the United States will develop carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can significantly interfere with your ability to type, use hand tools, and perform other work-related actions with your hands.
Workers’ compensation benefits may be available in Florida if a doctor diagnoses you with carpal tunnel injuries and you are temporarily or permanently unable to work. These benefits can assist you in obtaining treatment for your carpal tunnel injuries and help replace your lost wages.
How To Know If You Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome refers to an injury to the median nerve. This nerve runs along the underside of your arm from the upper arm and ends in your hand. This nerve passes within the carpal tunnel, found in your wrist, in order to reach its destination in your hand. Pressure on this nerve through repetitive actions leads to CTS.
Unlike some conditions and injuries, doctors can easily diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome. Some of the most common signs and symptoms of CTS include:
Pain in Your Wrist, Hand, and Arm
One of the most common CTS symptoms is wrist pain. This pain may affect only your wrist or it may radiate outward into your arm or hand. The pain can be dull and throbbing or sharp and stabbing, and it often gets worse with the use of the affected hand and wrist.
Numbness in Your Fingers and Arms
Numbness can also accompany CTS. If it does, it will usually impact your thumb, index finger, middle finger, and ring finger. Feelings of numbness often do not extend to the pinky finger. You may also feel numbness in your wrist and arm.
Weakness in Your Hand
Carpal tunnel syndrome may also lead to a weakening of your grip. You might be unable to grasp objects as tightly when holding them with the affected hand. You may notice that you are dropping things more often as CTS develops.
Workers’ Compensation for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Florida’s workers’ compensation program allows injured employees to obtain treatment for work-related injuries, including CTS. To be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits, the following must happen:
Your Employer Carries Workers’ Compensation Insurance
The law requires most employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover the cost of their employees’ injuries. If your employer has four or more employees (not independent contractors), they will likely have workers’ compensation insurance. Your employer should have information about the insurer readily available.
You Report Your Injury To Your Employer
Once you notice symptoms of CTS, report the matter to your employer as a workplace injury. You must report your injury to your employer within 30 days, or your employer’s insurance company may deny the claim.
You Seek Treatment from an Authorized Medical Provider
Your employer will direct you to an authorized doctor for treatment. If you wish for workers’ compensation benefits to cover the costs of your medical care, you will need to see a doctor your employer identifies. Make sure to keep any follow-up appointments and comply with your treatment plan.
Your Work Causes or Worsens Your CTS
You must show that your work caused your CTS or worsened your preexisting CTS. Carpal tunnel syndrome can arise or become more severe if your work requires you to perform repetitive motions or activities with your hands, such as typing or using hand tools. A doctor will determine whether you have CTS and how it likely developed.
Recovering Florida Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Carpal Tunnel Injuries
You may need surgery to recover fully from carpal tunnel syndrome. This surgery can be covered by workers’ compensation benefits. To minimize the chances of the insurance company denying your claim, you should promptly report your injury and pain to your employer and follow your employer’s and doctor’s instructions.
Contact the Pinellas County Workers’ Compensation Law Firm Of Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers for Help
For more information, please contact the Clearwater and St. Petersburg workers’ compensation law firm of Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve in Pinellas County and its surrounding areas:
Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater
1875 N Belcher Rd. STE 201,
Clearwater, FL 33765,
United States
(727) 796-8282
Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg
2560 1st Ave S,
St. Petersburg, FL 33712,
United States
(727) 349-1728