One question that many people have, especially if they work in a secretarial or manufacturing role, is, “Is carpal tunnel a workplace injury?” Carpal tunnel syndrome may be a job-related condition if the person is a qualifying employee and can show that they got it because of what they do for a living. Because this type of condition occurs gradually versus in a single accident, the person needs to have specific evidence — such as expert testimony — to show the connection between the person’s employment and carpal tunnel syndrome.
The workers’ compensation lawyers at Williams & Roche, LLC, have extensive experience helping workers recover benefits for complex work injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, tendonitis, and other repetitive traumas. If you have job-related CTS, we understand many of the challenges you may encounter when filing for workers’ compensation, and we are prepared to help you overcome them.
Common Workplace Activities That Lead to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome — like other repetitive stress injuries — occurs because of repeated use of one’s hands and wrists over time.
Any work-related activity that puts added and repeated stress on those body parts may result in CTS. For example, typing, using hand tools, assembly line work, and using machinery that vibrates excessively may cause harm to the carpal tunnel region.
How South Carolina Defines Workplace Injuries Like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Under South Carolina law, a repetitive trauma injury — such as carpal tunnel syndrome — is work-related if it occurs during regular employment. To potentially qualify for benefits, the person does not have to get hurt on the physical job site — such as the main office.
However, the tasks they do while on the clock or performing work for their employer should be the cause of their CTS.
Additionally, the person’s injury needs to happen because of their employment, even if it develops gradually versus in a single traumatic event. For repetitive stress injuries, this means the person needs to be able to prove that their carpal tunnel syndrome occurred primarily because of what they do for their employer.
Likewise, the person needs to be a qualifying employee — i.e., they should have an employment relationship with their company.
Independent contractors, freelancers, and gig workers may not be eligible for benefits, even if they get hurt while working for the business they have contracted with. An exception to this is if the company classifies the worker as freelance, but the person meets the legal requirements to be a regular employee instead.
Can You File a Workers’ Compensation Claim for Carpal Tunnel in South Carolina?
Yes, you can have work-related carpal tunnel syndrome and request workers’ compensation for your losses. To be eligible, you need to prove your work for your employer caused your CTS.
Likewise, you need to notify your company about your condition within about 90 days after you discover or could have discovered that your CTS is job-related. For example, this filing window might open on the day you went to the doctor because of your wrist pain, and the doctor mentioned that your job might be causing it.
You must also prove that you qualify for compensation under your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance plan. Typically, this means establishing that you are a regular employee rather than a freelance worker.
Proving Your Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Is Work-Related
If you have carpal tunnel, workers’ comp may be available to you if you can prove that it is work-related. Under South Carolina law, a repetitive trauma like CTS may be work-related if the person’s employment is the direct cause of their injury.
You do not have to be at the physical office for an activity to qualify as job-related. Instead, something might be employment-related if it happened while you were doing activities for work, such as remotely working from your computer at your home office.
The Workers’ Compensation Commission will want to see evidence — such as medical expert testimony or written statements — that proves your job is the direct cause of your CTS. For instance, they might want to have a licensed physician examine you and give their assessment about the extent of your CTS and its cause.
How a Columbia Hand Injury Lawyer Can Help
If you hurt your hand or wrist because of repetitive workplace activities — like typing, assembly line tasks, and working with vibrating machinery — it may be helpful to collaborate with a seasoned workers’ comp attorney. They can guide you through the complex claims process, helping you to turn in the proper notices and forms to initiate the request for compensation before any deadlines expire.
Your lawyer can also assist you by gathering key evidence you can present to the Commission to prove your CTS is from your work. They can also negotiate with your employer and your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance agency to help secure a fair and comprehensive settlement on your behalf.
We Can Help You Get a Workers’ Comp Settlement for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
If you wonder, “Is carpal tunnel a workplace injury?” you are not alone. Many people who work in offices, assembly lines, construction sites, and elsewhere suffer from hand and wrist pain that they find out is carpal tunnel syndrome. You may be eligible for workers’ compensation if you can prove that your job is a primary reason why you have CTS, and you meet the other eligibility requirements.
Williams & Roche, LLC, fights for the everyday worker, helping them to receive the job injury benefits they are entitled to under South Carolina’s compensation system. As a former Workers’ Compensation Commissioner, Andrea Roche has a robust legal background that she leverages to craft effective strategies to support her clients. Contact her reputable team today by calling 803.784.0503 to schedule a no-obligation consultation.
