Carpal Tunnel Syndrome & Work Comp in Minnesota

When people think of injuries’ that are compensable under workers’ compensation law in Minnesota, they often picture an acute injury like falling and hurting your back. Acute injuries make up the majority of workers’ compensation claims, but a fair amount of workers also suffer from repetitive strain injuries that develop over years and decades on the job. One such injury is carpal tunnel syndrome. Today, we take a closer look at the condition and what you should do if you believe your work duties have contributed to the onset of carpal tunnel.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that develops when the median nerve, located in your forearm and hand, becomes compressed or damaged. The condition can set in for a number of different reasons. For some, it develops out of repetitive motion, for others it sets in after injury or acute trauma, and for others it is caused by daily overexertion in the wrist. If you’re not taking preventative steps at work through ergonomic workstations, posture control or routine breaks, you could be at an increased risk for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Some of the more common symptoms expressed at the earlier stages of carpal tunnel syndrome include:

Tingling/Numbness in the fingers and hand
A burning sensation in the fingers, palm or hand
Swollen fingers, or a feeling of swollenness without actual swelling
Finger grip weakness
Pain when writing or typing for an extended period

Carpal Tunnel and Work Comp

Although the latest data provided by the Minnesota Department of Health suggests that work comp claims for carpal tunnel syndrome have decreased recently, they are also quick to point out that the numbers may not be all that accurate. They say an accurate tally of carpal tunnel injuries in the workplace are difficult to compile for two reasons:

Many workers don’t recognize the early symptoms of the condition; and
Many workers do not realize that their symptoms may be connected to their work

However, there is good news. Carpal tunnel is a condition that is covered under Minnesota workers’ compensation law, which means you may be eligible to have the cost of your treatment covered and to collect wage loss benefits.

Work Comp Attorney in St. Louis Park

If you believe you are suffering from the early stages of carpal tunnel, or you’ve been medically diagnosed with the condition and missed work or had your hours restricted, the best thing you can do is to reach out to a Minnesota workers’ compensation attorney. They’ll be able to review your medical records, pour over your job duties and develop a case that will help you receive the compensation you deserve. Since it can be difficult to prove that your work duties directly contributed to the onset of the condition, it is always in your best interest to have a workers’ compensation lawyer work with you on your repetitive strain compensation claim.

To learn more about how Dean Margolis can help you build your carpal tunnel case, or to just talk with someone about your claim options, contact Margolis Law Office today!