Can I Sue for Carpal Tunnel Injury?

Can I Sue for Carpal Tunnel Injury? If you or a loved one is dealing with the unfortunate carpal tunnel syndrome, you know all about the pain that comes with it.  There can be several causes of carpal tunnel syndrome such as from genetics, work, previous conditions, and pregnancy. If you or a loved one has experienced carpal tunnel due to injury or work, there are legal actions you can take.  Hiring a West Palm Beach Personal Injury Lawyer to examine your case can help you seek the extra compensation you or your loved one may rightfully deserve. If you’re unsure of what your options are at the moment, continue reading. 

What Is Carpal Tunnel?

Carpal Tunnel occurs when pressure is put on the median nerve which extends from the middle of the arm and forearm to a person’s hand, where the carpal tunnel passageway is located. When this pressure is constantly put on the nerve, it can result in pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness.  People who experience carpal tunnel syndrome may notice that their fingers “fall asleep” at night and wake up with the tingling or numb sensation. This syndrome only occurs in the wrist and fingers but can be painful throughout the day when you’re using those areas of your body.  The worse someone’s carpal tunnel gets, they may start experiencing less grip strength along with less coordination or usage in the affected area. As a result, everyday tasks such as reading, gripping a steering wheel, or typing on the computer become more difficult. 

What Causes Carpal Tunnel?

Carpal Tunnel can have numerous causes. Carpal Tunnel cannot be inherited from one family member to the next, but if there are genetic conditions such as obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, or diabetes, multiple people can experience this syndrome. Other causes of carpal tunnel can include pregnancy. The extra hormones that are released in pregnancy can cause swelling in the fingers and wrists which will then put the pressure on the median nerve and can cause carpal tunnel. However, this is only more likely in the third trimester. There are work related conditions that can cause carpal tunnel such as repeated movements throughout the years and days. Typing, for instance, is one of them. Other jobs with higher risk of carpal tunnel include:

• Assembly line worker
• Musician
• Hairdresser
• Baker
• Others

Any job with a repeated type of forceful movement can eventually lead to carpal tunnel. Proving carpal tunnel as  a result of work can be difficult to prove unless you have the help of a trusted West Palm Beach Personal Injury Lawyer working along with you. 

Treatments for Carpal Tunnel

Luckily, there are treatments available for carpal tunnel to minimize or completely go away, but it can take a while to see those results.  Here are the common types of treatment for carpal tunnel injuries:

• Surgery (this can be expensive) 
• Change of lifestyle (reducing the amount of pressure put on the nerve)
• Medication
• Strengthening exercises
• Wearing a splint

The unfortunate factor in carpal tunnel is that many of these treatments can become costly, especially if the carpal tunnel is severe. If the carpal tunnel is brought on by injury or a work-related situation, this can be an added pressure on top of worrying about your health. If the carpal tunnel syndrome is not extremely bad in the person, the symptoms may decrease and go away on their own. In extreme cases, a person may not be that lucky and require surgery. 

Workers’ Compensation or Personal Injury?

Do you think your carpal tunnel is a result of the workplace? Then, think twice before you decide to file a workers’ comp claim. There is a difference between workers’ comp and personal injury that can significantly affect your limits and how much you can expect to receive in a settlement. Firstly, workers’ comp does not allow you to sue your employer, and fault is not required to prove your injury. You also cannot receive any money for pain and suffering since that goes against the worker’s comp claim. Personal injury claims can be slightly limiting in these scenarios since you will have to prove the negligence and fault of the other individual, but you have the option to file a personal injury claim if you would like. Unlike workers’ comp benefits, you would be able to seek pain and suffering damages. If you hire a lawyer in West Palm Beach, Florida, to help with a personal injury claim, they are responsible for proving the negligence of your worker that resulted in the development of carpal tunnel. There will be several factors you and your lawyer will have to examine. For instance, was there any warning before you started employment that the work could lead to carpal tunnel? Did your employer assign you work that they should not have?  The bottom line comes to this: yes, you are entitled to some benefits with your worker’s comp, but not nearly enough as you could receive with personal injury. If your lawyer advises you to file a personal injury lawsuit, there’s a chance you could walk away with more than you expected. 

Find a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you’re in a predicament where you’re unsure of what to do, speaking to a West Palm Beach Personal Injury Lawyer can greatly help. These professionals have the in-depth knowledge that’s required to build favorable cases and find you the best solution possible for your case. Personal injury lawyers know how to look at the information presented and assess your situation to find the best route for you while delivering guidance throughout the process. They can inform you on how much you can expect to receive out of your case and become your advocate, which means they will do all the legal work.  Having a legal expert on your side can greatly reduce the pressure you feel to right someone else’s wrong. If you’re facing insurmountable medical bills or a hit to your quality of life, a personal injury lawyer can step in and help. 

Let Frankl Kominsky Handle Your Case

Are you ready to seek the extra compensation that you deserve? The attorneys of Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers are ready when you are. We help the people of West Palm Beach, Florida, and many other surrounding areas fight for their legal rights in personal injury cases (by appointment only). If you have recently suffered from carpal tunnel as a result of an injury or from work, we have the experience you’re looking for.  Our firm has been in practice for over 40 years. We have handled plenty of personal injury related cases and are confident we can help you seek extra compensation when it is merited.  If you’re ready to start, call our 24/7 hotline at (561) 800-8000, or visit us online to leave your information on our free case evaluation form. Someone will then get in touch with you from our firm and schedule a time for you to come in and speak with one of our trusted attorneys. You will get to discuss your case in detail and hear about our award-winning services.  We cannot wait to help you seek the justice you deserve. Don’t let any more time in the two years you have to make your claim pass you by. Call us today.