When people think about a Connecticut workers’ compensation claim they often think about a dangerous fall from the top of a ladder or a laceration that resulted from working with sharp objects, but they don’t often think of repetitive stress injuries. Repetitive stress injuries, like carpal tunnel syndrome, don’t make splashy headlines and multi-million dollar settlements like some of the other injuries that are so often associated with workers’ compensation, but these injuries can be detrimental to your day to day life that becomes untenable.
Before you can determine if you have carpal tunnel syndrome you will need to know some of the symptoms that you should be looking for when deciding whether you have experienced this type of injury. Some of the symptoms include;
-
Frequent numbness or tingling in your fingers
-
Tingling in your fingers or hands when performing tasks such as answering the phone, reading a book, or driving.
-
Hand weakness making it difficult to grasp items
-
In severe cases the inability to tell the difference between hot and cold by touch which may lead to getting burned
Generally speaking you will start to notice a tingling sensation in your wrists, fingers, or overall hands. You may wake up feeling like you have to shake your hands out so that they can function the way they are supposed to throughout the day.
Women should be on the lookout for this syndrome even more acutely than men as women are three times more likely to experience the effects of carpal tunnel syndrome then their male counterparts.
While carpal tunnel syndrome is often associated with people who use computers all day and are typing with their hands in a certain position all day, many industries have workers who are experiencing the effects of this syndrome. Industries as diverse as the sewing industry, manufacturing, meat-packing, and cleaning all see some variation of carpal tunnel syndrome in the workforce.
It can be challenging to tell if you have carpal tunnel syndrome as it often comes on slowly and is mild at first. At the first sign of this type of sensation you should report it to your supervisor so she/he can start the process of filing a Connecticut workers’ compensation claim. The sooner you are seen by a medical provider the better chance you have of getting back to work faster.
Whether you experience sharp pains or mild pains you may need the help of a board certified workers’ compensation attorney. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys can look over your claim and help guide you through the process of protecting your long-term interests.
