Massachusetts Workers Compensation Lawyers Blog
People often associate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) as a repetitive stress injury (RSI) that is typically caused at work. While this is true, many people do not associate carpal tunnel syndrome with an on-the-job injury or illness for which they can and should file a workers’ compensation claim. We tend to see employees who try to manage the condition themselves by purchasing hand braces at the local drugstore, or simply take over-the-counter pain medication or use an ice pack.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused when repetitive stress, or in some cases an acute trauma, causes the carpal tunnel to become compressed. The carpal tunnel is basically a tube surround a bundle of nerves that run through the wrist into the base of the hand. These nerves are responsible for the movement of the fingers. When the carpal tunnel becomes pinched, the worker will experience pain and weakness in the hand and fingers. The pain can also radiate up and down the entire arm, making it nearly impossible and painful to do anything. Continue reading