Maison Law represents victims of work-related carpal tunnel injuries in California. If you or a loved one is involved in a workers’ compensation claim for a carpal tunnel injury, the workers’ compensation attorneys at Maison Law can help get the maximum amount of compensation for your damages. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Carpal Tunnel Injuries Workers’ Compensation Claim in California?
Not all work-related are immediate or traumatic accidents. Injuries such as carpal tunnel injuries accrue over time. These injuries may be considered minor, but once carpal tunnel sets in, it can worsen quickly and become debilitating.
One of the most common work-related activities that causes carpal tunnel syndrome is typing. In fact, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, carpal tunnel surgery is the second most common type of surgery for workers, representing over 200,000 procedures every year.
While workers’ compensation can be beneficial to workers suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, it may not comprehensively cover the full extent of your damages. For example, workers’ compensation may approve physical therapy or cortisone shot treatment, but they may deny you carpal tunnel surgery, even if a doctor requests it. This can leave you living and working with unnecessary pain. In these situations, it is important to discuss your legal options with a workers’ compensation attorney.
A workers’ compensation attorney can file a lawsuit against your workers’ compensation provider to ensure you are compensated to the full extent of your damages. These damages include:
- Economic damages: financial damages you incurred due to the accident.
- Medical bills
- Lost Wages
- Loss of future potential earnings
- Loss of property
- Cost of repairs to damaged property (if applicable)
- Non-economic damages: these are subjective, non-compensatory damages.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Loss of consortium
Does California Workers’ Compensation Cover Carpal Tunnel Injuries?
Workers’ compensation policies provide compensation for carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel injuries may qualify for surgery, wrist braces, and other necessary medical treatment if requested by a doctor and approved by workers’ compensation. Once a claim is accepted, workers’ compensation usually provides enough compensation to cover the entire cost of carpal tunnel syndrome surgery, which can average between $4,000 – $12,000 in California, depending on the severity of the injury.
By California law, all employers with at least one employee must maintain workers’ compensation coverage for their employees. Workers’ compensation applies to any injury or illness, which occurs in the workplace as a result of work-related duties. Workers’ compensation covers both physical and mental conditions, whether they occur immediately or over time.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel
Carpal tunnel syndrome is when the median nerve is compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel. The carpal tunnel is an opening in your wrist that is formed by the carpal bones on the bottom of the wrist and the transverse carpal ligament across the top of the wrist. The median nerve within your carpal tunnel provides sensory and motor functions to the thumb and 3 middle fingers. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome will begin to show themselves if this median nerve gets compressed or irritated over time.
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms will start gradually and worsen quickly, going from occasional discomfort to constant pain. The primary symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include:
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Weakness
- Burning
- Pain in the affected extremity
While you’re at work, you may begin to notice tingling or numbness in your fingers or hand. Other times, symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome may feel like an electric shock that your have to “shake out.” In more serious cases, you may begin to feel weak, making it difficult to grip objects or pick things up without dropping them. For all these reasons, it is important to seek medical attention at the first sign of carpal syndrome and file a workers’ compensation claim if your pain is due to work-related activity.
Reasons for Filing a Lawsuit Against Worker’s Compensation Claims in California
Worker’s compensation claims are complicated because they entail filing a lawsuit against your employer’s insurance. Contrary to what most people believe, filing a lawsuit against worker’s compensation does not affect your employer. Worker’s compensation is a separate entity and you can file a lawsuit against them if you feel you’ve been mistreated or discriminated against in any way. Reasons for filing a lawsuit against worker’s compensation include:
- Your claim is denied: if your worker’s compensation claim is denied, an attorney can help you appeal the decision and represent you through negotiations.
- Your benefits are inadequate: if you believe your workers’ compensation benefits do not cover all your medical bills, lost wages, or other expenses, an attorney can help you seek the full benefits you deserve.
- Permanent disability: in cases of permanent disability, disputes over the level of impairment or the amount of compensation can arise, requiring legal representation.
Contact a Carpal Tunnel Injuries Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in California
If you or a loved one has been mistreated, neglected, or inadequately compensated by worker’s compensation after suffering a carpal tunnel injury, the attorneys at Maison Law will pursue the full extent of the damages you are owed. Whether you’ve suffered permanent injuries, or have been denied medical treatment through worker’s compensation, our firm is prepared to exercise the full extent of the law on your behalf. For legal counsel concerning your workers’ compensation claim, contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
