Carpel Tunnel Syndrome?

Question

Where I work, I have to use the computer a lot, and working my wrists a lot (office work).
If I get CTS, and it gets to a point where it affects my work, can I get comphensation for that (from the company)? Can legal action be taken to get comphensation?

Answer 1

I'm not sure what the legislation is like where you are from, but in Ontario, Canada you can be compensated for this.
As long as your doctor can prove that your work caused your CTS then you can be compensated for it. CTS is also a specific injury to the median nerve in your wrists (whereby it affects the muscles), so if those aren't directly affected you cannot be diagnosed with CTS.
I'm also not really sure about taking "legal action" against your employer. The basic reason a compensation board exists is to protect a worker AND the employer. It protects the worker by allowing them to keep their job if they are injured on the job (in the "olden days" workers would lose their jobs if they attempted to put the blame on their employers for an injury), on the other hand, it also protects the employer by compensating workers without worrying about being sued if an injury were to arise.
It's best to check this out with your local compensation board. In Canada, each province has their own.
Also, recognizing that you might get CTS due to your work is a great step is realizing that your workstation needs to be readjusted (see Ergonomics). If your workstation is giving you pain by the end of the day, ask your supervisor or HR to have an ergonomic assessment done to readjust everything in your workplace, this will help to make things more comfortable for you. And if they don't agree to that, kindly remind them that if your problem gets worse you WILL seek compensation for it and that equals lost time from work!

Answer 2

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful progressive condition caused by compression of a key nerve in the wrist. It occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. Symptoms usually start gradually, with pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist, radiating up the arm. As symptoms worsen, people might feel tingling during the day, and decreased grip strength may make it difficult to form a fist, grasp small objects, or perform other manual tasks. In some cases no direct cause of the syndrome can be identified. Most likely the disorder is due to a congenital predisposition - the carpal tunnel is simply smaller in some people than in others. However, the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome is especially common in those performing assembly line work. treatment Initial treatment generally involves resting the affected hand and wrist for at least 2 weeks, avoiding activities that may worsen symptoms, and immobilizing the wrist in a splint to avoid further damage from twisting or bending. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonprescription pain relievers, may ease pain. Cool (ice) packs and prednisone (taken by mouth) or lidocaine (injected directly into the wrist) can relieve swelling and pressure on the median nerve and provide immediate, temporary relief.

Answer 3

the answer is yes you can get comphensation if it is work related if the company does not want to pay you get legal advise from comphensation office near you before you go and spend money that you dont have to hope this helps

Answer 4

I've had CT for a long time.,but I did not develop it while "Typing". I got it from doing a lot of "Painting",once upon a time,and typing does'nt bother me. If you develop CT,you will "definitely" know because:
(1) Your hand (s) will start to tingle,especially your dominate hand. It gets worst at night,when you wake up from the tingling. Your Doctor will know immediately,what the problem is, when you tell him the symptoms.
(2) He will do nothing more,then to give you a "Brace" to wear on your hand at night. Rx drugs will not cure it.
(3) Sooner or later,the tingles will start to "Burn" (in other words),the hand will fill like it's (somehwhat) "On fire".
(4) A Sensory Test is done on the wrist and forearms. The test takes 45mins to complete. (It is no fun!).
(5) Surgery will follow,then Physical Therapy of the Hand. It took 3 months for my hand to become normal again.

(Now to answer your question?) You will recieve compensation for not being able to work,if your "off" because of the Surgery. If you want to know if this is a "Disability",and if you can recieve benefits from it? (NO). Social Security does not see CTS as being a "Work Related Injury".

Answer 5

You shouldn't need to get to the point of going for legal action to get compensation.

If you think you have CTS see your family doctor immediately to get a diagnosis. He/she may send you to a specialist for tests. If you feel your CTS is caused by work you MUST inform your employer immediately (in Ontario this is law) and your family doctor will file a WSIB (worker's safety insurance board) claim, copies of which will be sent to your employer.

You will be sent for physiotherapy, covered by WSIB (as long as your claim is substantiated and approved by WSIB).

I have CTS and my claim was approved quickly by WSIB, and I've had no problems getting them to cover physiotherapy for me for nearly a year now. My arms are much stronger now than when I started and it has been deemed that surgery will not be necessary. I do have restrictions on some of the work that I can do, but never lost time due to my injury.

What I did have problems with was not reporting to my employer as soon as I had pain and suspected it was work related.

Good luck!

Answer 6

I had several friends who got carpal tunnel from there jobs and they ended up getting the surjery abd there employers had to pay for it. They got lawyers and the lawyers found out they never had it before they started there jobs so the employers had to get them surjery as they proved it was work related. You might want to do the same and seek legal help. If you can't afford an atttorney go thrugh legal aid and they will get you an attorney for no charge.

Answer 7

I highly doubt it because it's your personal decision to continue typing and not a "work related injury" I had to quit my job as A massage therapist because of CTS, there is no way to get compensation for this, there are ways to relieve CTS so you may continue working (just google it) and Accupuncture is great! That $hit HURTS!

Answer 8

maybe but i'm not sure. if u can ask them or whoever u need to to find out.