According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, nearly 15 million people in the United States suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome. The condition is much more common among the workforce than previously thought.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a progressive nerve condition that causes restriction in movement in the hand along with considerable pain. It's precipitated by pressure or injury to the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand. Pressure typically occurs at the wrist, causing a narrowing of the nerve tunnel, which in turn restricts movement of the hand.
Carpal tunnel can be caused by disease, injury or pregnancy. The most prevalent cause, however, is repetitive motion, making the same hand or wrist movements over and over excessively.
Typists, painters, assembly workers, and mechanics are just a few of the kinds of workers that commonly suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome. The repetitive nature of some of the work that these professions involve has been known in the past to be a contributor to the development of the condition.
Likewise, a car accident that leaves the victim with a broken wrist or arm can cause the development of carpel tunnel syndrome. The trauma and heightened pressure experienced while gripping the steering wheel of a car in the midst of an accident can actually lead to the kind of injury that leads to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Of course, many of these situations where individuals are eventually diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to a legal claim for damages. The Illinois worker's compensation system recognizes carpal tunnel syndrome as a compensable injury. Likewise, personal injury claims may be brought against anyone causing injury that leads to carpal tunnel syndrome. And because symptoms of the condition can appear months (even years) after injury, claims may be made some time after injuries occur or claimants leave their places of employment. The most difficult aspect of bringing a claim based on carpal tunnel injury is proving fault or cause of the injury.
Yet if that can be overcome, damages for such claims can include medical treatment, lost wages and compensation for any disability that results from the condition.
If you have been diagnosed with carpel tunnel syndrome and feel your injury may have stemmed from a work-related activity or harm as a result of another individual's negligence, consult with a practiced personal injury lawyer like those at Panio Law Offices.
Our attorneys understand the nuances and burden of proof and cause necessary to file a successful personal injury or worker's compensation claim in these cases.
If you have questions about filing a claim or need more information about a specific case, please call (708) 928-8680. We can help.