Another carpal tunnel win because the injured worker told his doctor what his job involved
If you are claiming that a repetitive trauma injury like carpal tunnel or anything else is work related, at some point a credible medical doctor is going to have to put in writing that your job caused, aggravated or accellerated your condition. Typically if you get that you will win.
To make that opinion stand up, you need to be very clear with the doctor about what your job duties involve. In many repetitive trauma cases the insurance company will find a "hired gun" IME doctor to say that your problems were not caused by your job. To combat that you need to show that your doctor has a true understanding of what your job entails.
This was demonstrated in a recent decision by the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission. A computer analyst won his case when the Commission found that the treating doctor had adequate knowledge of what the analyst job involved. They specifically said that this was persuasive in their opinion.
Don't assume that your doctor knows what being a secretary or lineman or analyst or any other job means. Tell him or her what you do all day, how often you do it, how many hours you work and what you notice when this activity is happening.
We are workers' compensation attorneys that help people with Illinois work injuries anywhere in IL via our statewide network of attorneys. Contact us and we will answer your questions or find the right lawyer for your situation.
