Carpal tunnel is one of the most common workplace injuries, but many people do not realize that it is even related to their work. Why? Because symptoms can come on so gradually. However, if you take part in repetitive tasks for work, such as typing, slicing food, or driving for hours at a time, then carpal tunnel might happen – and it might make you eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim.
Common Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel
Have you ever noticed that your hands ache or otherwise do not feel “quite right,” but you are not sure what the issue is? It might be that you are dealing with carpal tunnel system. This occurs when the tissue around a tunnel in the wrist is swollen and crowds your nerves. There can be many symptoms, including:
- Numbness, pain, burning, or tingling in the thumb and fingers of one or both hands
- Pain or tingling that travels from the forearm to the shoulder
- Shock-like sensations that radiate from the ring finger, index finger, middle finger, and thumb
- Weakness in the hand that prevents fine motor skills
- Loss of coordination or dropping items when the hand becomes weak or numb
In most people, carpal tunnel will begin gradually and will get worse as time goes on. The symptoms often come at night and can be bad enough to wake up a person from their sleep.
Carpal Tunnel is More Common Than Many People Realize
Believe it or not, 3 – 6% of the adult population has carpal tunnel. Some people are more likely than others to develop this disorder. For example, women are three times as likely due to the fact that their carpal tunnel is smaller than a man’s. Carpal tunnel is also a common condition that women experience during pregnancy. People who metabolic disorders, such as diabetes, are also at a higher risk of carpal tunnel.
Carpal Tunnels Connection to the Workplace
Not all carpal tunnel injuries are related to work, but it is very often the case. This is because it is related to repetitive motion injury, and many people must do this at work. This can happen at work when a person is pushing, slicing, or applying pressure such as a kitchen worker, typing or completing other computer functions, using a cash register, working on a cash register, or construction tasks like using a chainsaw or jackhammering.
If you are suffering from carpal tunnel and believe that it is related to your job, then we strongly recommend you contact a personal injury attorney right away. You can reach The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 now for a free legal consultation.
