Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - not just a repetitive stress injury
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is injury to the nerve that goes from your forearm to your hand. Common symptoms are tingling, pain, and clumsiness handling objects. The pain or discomfort may be limited to your wrist, or it may travel up the arm, even to the shoulder.
Most people associate carpal tunnel with typing or other types of repetitive motion – grasping motion with the hands, bending of the wrist, etc. However, carpal tunnel isn’t just a repetitive stress injury. It can be caused by one-time injuries, such as trauma to the hand or neck.
In many cases, a trauma to the hand, wrist, arm, neck, etc., can aggravate a carpal tunnel issue. So even if you weren’t in pain or having issues with your wrists, a sudden injury could cause symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome to surface.
Under Illinois law, injured workers are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits when a job aggravates or accelerates a pre-existing condition. If you had only mild carpal tunnel, or if you had it under control at the time, and you then suffered a hand injury at work causing your carpal tunnel syndrome to worsen or flare up, you would still be covered.
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.
