Month: July 2019

The pain starts as a dull sensation that slowly grows into a throbbing pain inhibiting your performance at work. What causes the pain depends on your professional vocation.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a medical condition that develops because of the pressure placed on the median nerve running through one or both wrists. Repetitive motions of the wrist can trigger carpal tunnel symptoms that range from the dull sensation we mentioned to excruciating pain that requires surgery.

Workers living in Illinois have the right to recover money for carpal tunnel injuries that happen on the job. Because of the aggressive way many employers fight against carpal tunnel claims, it is highly recommended that anyone suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome contact an Illinois licensed personal injury attorney. The personal injury lawyers at Frederick and Hagle have decades of experienced litigating cases involving on the job injuries.

Possible Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

With each passing year, the list of what causes carpal tunnel syndrome gets longer. Although an individual can contract carpal tunnel because of arthritis, diabetes, or from being pregnant, the injury is typically suffered by someone in a professional capacity or by someone who participates in a recreational activity

Here are a few ways repetitive motion can trigger carpal tunnel syndrome:

• Operating a computer mouse
• Typing
• Playing tennis
• Swinging a golf club
• Turning screwdrivers
• Placing heavy objects on shelves
• Packing materials
• Hammering nails

When the highly rated personal injury attorneys at Frederick & Hagle sit down for an initial consultation with a client, we ask the right questions to determine what caused the client’s carpal tunnel syndrome. The key is to prove the injury was caused because the repetitive motions performed at work.

Are You Eligible to Sue for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The short answer is no, but the long answer is to ensure our clients they have the right in Illinois to file a workers’ compensation claim. Filing a workers’ compensation claim is a much different legal process than the legal process that unfolds during civil lawsuits.

Your employer must pay for workers’ compensation insurance, which covers the costs associated with workplace injuries. Workers’ compensation pays out regardless of who is at fault. The tough part is proving you contracted carpal tunnel syndrome on the job. You do not have to prove your employer was negligent; you have to prove you suffer from carpal tunnel symptoms because of one or more work-related activities.

Although on the surface it appears relatively simple to file a workers’ compensation claim, the fact remains many companies fight workers’ compensation claims to avoid paying more for the insurance. Your employer might claim you are an independent contractor and thus, do not qualify for workers’ compensation. Another common way employers try to deny paying for workers’ compensation claims involves saying the injury you suffer from was caused by recklessness. This is an especially effective legal argument if your employer put you through training on how to prevent an injury caused by repetitive motions.

The Potential Value of a Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Claim

At Frederick & Hagle, we make sure our clients receive just compensation from workers’ compensation claims that result from carpal tunnel injuries. The value of your just compensation depends on several factors.

First, we calculate your direct expenses, with medical costs by far representing the biggest expense. By medical costs, we mean everything from receiving a proper diagnosis to undergoing therapy to reduce the pain. Medical costs also include the cost of surgery and the use of a medical device to prevent a repetitive motion injury.

The second most significant expense related to a carpal tunnel injury are the wages lost because of the inability to perform job tasks. You might have to work fewer hours or you might have to miss work for an extended period. Illinois law refers to the compensation awarded for missed time at work as temporary disability benefits. It is important to file for temporary disability benefits as soon as possible to ensure you receive the full amount of money that you deserve.

Finally, if the carpal tunnel injury becomes severe enough to disable you permanently, Illinois law grants workers the right to file a workers’ compensation claim seeking just compensation for the permanent disability.

Get the Just Compensation You Deserve

Carpal tunnel syndrome can cost you thousands of dollars in lost wages and medical expenses. Since 1975, the personal injury lawyers at Frederick & Hagle have successfully litigated for clients that were hurt on the job. Although carpal tunnel syndrome is a relatively recent medical condition that qualifies for workers’ compensation claims, our team of accomplished personal injury attorneys have earned the reputation for being experts in handling cases involving the repetitive motion medical condition.

Schedule a free initial consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers by calling us at (800) 642-1227 or (217) 367-6092. You can also contact us by sending our law office the convenient online form.