Carpal Tunnel Injury
Terry Katz & Associates is a law firm that helps people suffering from repetitive motion injuries receive workers’ compensation for lost wages, recovery time, and other losses. We look forward to helping those diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome fight for the compensation they deserve to get their lives back on track.
To see how our seasoned attorneys can help you, call our office directly at 888-488-7459. Our Initial consultations are always free.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the tendons you use to flex your fingers and the median nerve becomes compressed while traveling through your wrist when you complete repetitive motions. Because the carpal tunnel of your wrist is so narrow, any amount of swelling can compress your tendons and nerves. The typical result is pain, numbness, and weakness of the affected area. These symptoms can impact the hand, arm, or both. It can also occur on one or both sides of the body. Left untreated, the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can make it impossible for you to continue working.
Unfortunately, some employers try to fight these workers’ compensation claims by insisting the injured worker is exaggerating his or her claims or that the cumulative trauma injury happened outside of work. This can be an extremely stressful situation for both state workers and those who work in the private sector. The good news is that state law allows you to hire a carpal tunnel workers’ comp attorney if you feel your employer is not treating you fairly. Keep in mind that the burden of proof is on you as the injured worker to demonstrate you have a work-related injury that is not the result of a pre-existing condition.
Abnormal bending, the continual striking of a keyboard or cash register, and frequent twisting can all cause the inflammation that can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. This occurs when the median nerve which runs through the arms and fingers and starts at the medial and lateral brachial plexus cords becomes inflamed due to overuse and compression. The pain and numbness caused in the hands and fingers typically fall under the classification of occupational disease. This is any chronic condition you develop due to the completion of required job duties.
Although repetitive motions from your job can cause inflammation leading to carpal tunnel syndrome, you can also develop it due to several health conditions. The most common ones include arthritis, diabetes, and certain thyroid conditions. Women can even develop carpal tunnel syndrome during an otherwise healthy pregnancy.
Several recreational activities also require repetitive motions of the hands and wrists. Some of these include:
If you’re wondering how to win a carpal tunnel workers’ comp claim, the best advice we can give you is to schedule a free consultation with Terry Katz & Associates as soon as you experience any opposition from your employer. The earlier you obtain legal help, the more time we have available to prove that your injuries occurred due to carrying out your job duties.
One of the most common questions we receive from clients dealing with the painful condition of carpal tunnel syndrome is “Can I get workers’ comp for carpal tunnel?” They understand the workers’ compensation program well enough to know that it will cover medical expenses, transportation to medical appointments, medical supplies, and a percentage of their lost wages. Unlike other on-the-job injuries and illnesses, however, it can be easier for employers to deny any responsibility for an employee developing carpal tunnel syndrome.
When you become a client of Terry Katz & Associates, we start working to prove your case immediately. After reviewing your medical records and work history, we help you find a neutral medical professional who isn’t influenced by receiving his or her salary from your employer. Some other functions we can complete for you include assisting with workers’ compensation paperwork, speaking to your employer’s insurance company on your behalf, and helping you locate additional sources of funding while you recover.
Doctors typically prefer to attempt the most conservative and non-invasive treatment methods first to see how the patient responds. These could include a combination of wearing a brace on the affected wrist, taking prescription medication, or physical therapy. Your doctor may first recommend a nerve conduction study to determine which of these therapies is likely to be the most effective.
If you see little to no progress, he or she may recommend a surgical procedure such as carpal tunnel release. Further, your doctor will recommend a specific release surgery depending on the location and severity of your symptoms. The two most common surgeries for carpal tunnel syndrome include open carpal tunnel release and endoscopic tunnel release.
Winning this type of claim is challenging, but not impossible. However, you need to work with an experienced carpal tunnel workers’ compensation law firm like Terry Katz & Associates. We understand that you are in a stressful situation and will aggressively pursue your rightful compensation by utilizing all resources. While our attorneys have decades of experience with such matters, we emphasize how intimidating it can seem from your perspective. Our goal is to take that intimidation factor away by proving your claim as early in the process as possible.
Whether you are just starting to consider your rights as an injured worker in New York or you have exhausted all other available means of help, we would be happy to assist you as a client of Terry Katz & Associates. You can reach our law firm near Long Island, New York at 888-488-7459 to request a free review of your carpal tunnel workers’ compensation case at your convenience.
