There seem to be a million different ways of getting yourself hurt in the world, and this is especially true in the workplace. From lacerations to broken bones, people get hurt at work every single day. Not only that, but as time goes on, it’s gotten worse. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that there has been a 7.5% increase of reported workplace injuries since 2021.
Sometimes, you can get hurt at work while seemingly doing nothing at all. One of the most common types of injuries or illnesses that employees can contract at work is carpal tunnel syndrome, a disorder which typically affects your wrists and hands. The National Library of Medicine asserts that somewhere between 1% and 5% of the United States population has carpal tunnel syndrome.
How Do I Know If I Have Carpal Tunnel?
For many people, the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are easy to ignore, especially at first. People who are suffering from this disorder typically feel pain, tingling, and numbness in the affected area. At first, these sensations may wane for a time, but will always come back later. If the carpal tunnel advances and worsens, many people begin to feel stiffness in their hand and wrist. They might lose mobility as well, making it difficult to do fine motor tasks like writing and holding things. This is why it’s so important to get treatment for your carpal tunnel if you’ve started to feel numbness and pain in your hand.
How Does Someone Get Carpal Tunnel?
Carpal tunnel is one of a group of disorders all known as repetitive stress injuries. As the name might suggest, repetitive stress injuries are largely caused by continually repeating the same motion. In the case of carpal tunnel specifically, it occurs when the nerve in your forearm is pinched by the bones and connective tissues in your wrist. Typically, the nerve will only be pinched if the tissues are swollen or inflamed. If you work at a job that requires you use heavy machinery or tools, you might be putting your hand through stress to cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
What Do I Do If I Got CTS from Work?
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome and you suspect it arose because of your work activities, you need to act fast. You have a 30-day window to report your injury to the Division of Workers’ Compensation. On top of reporting your injury, you should get in contact with a trustworthy workers’ compensation lawyer immediately. They can help you sort out your medical records are successful receive compensation for your workplace injury.
Need Help with Work Comp? Call Chris Miller
When you’re filing a work comp claim, you need an expert on your side. You need someone who understands that you’re going through a difficult situation and will fight for what you need. If you’re looking for someone with compassion and experience, then call the Law Office of Chris Miller.