Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Work-related wrist injuries have become the woe of today’s fast-paced and technology-driven work environment. An occupational health condition that has garnered increased attention in the last few years is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS).

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a an occupational health condition that affects the hand and wrist. It stems from the compression of the median nerve in the wrist as it passes through the narrow tunnel formed by the bones and ligaments in your wrist.

As businesses rely more heavily on computers and repetitive tasks, employees are exposed to a higher risk of developing CTS.

So what are the reasons that lead to the appearance of this condition? What treatments can you use to help your workers, and how can occupational healthcare providers, such as Work Partners, help keep your workers safe from this condition?

Let’s find out.

What is the Average Settlement for Work-Related Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The average settlement amount for work-related Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is estimated to be between $30,000 and $70,000.

Based on the severity of CTS, the estimated settlement amount for this occupational condition would be as follows:

Severity of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome	Estimated Settlement Amounts	Type of Injury
Mild	$1000 – $24,000	Reversible, temporary
Moderate to Severe	$24,000 – $30,000	Dexterity issues, loss of grip strength
Extremely Severe	$30,000+	Constant pain, and loss of use in the hand or wrist

What is the Average Worker's Compensation for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

If your employee’s Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a result of their performance in work duties, the worker is entitled to make a worker’s compensation claim. The worker will have to prove that:

They are suffering from CTS, and the symptoms associated with the condition necessitate them to seek medical attention.
The condition interferes with their ability to perform their work duties up to the mark.
Their work duties are making the conditions worse due to the repetitive motions of their job.

They are suffering from CTS, and the symptoms associated with the condition necessitate them to seek medical attention. The condition interferes with their ability to perform their work duties up to the mark. Their work duties are making the conditions worse due to the repetitive motions of their job.

Medical expenses
Lost wages due to the injury
Permanent impairment compensation
Rehabilitation costs
Vocational retraining, if the worker is unable to perform the same tasks at work or work anymore due to the condition.

The coverage of medical bills and the exact compensation amount can only be determined by the amount of lost wages, the period the worker is typically unable to work, and the severity of CTS.

Streamline Settlement & Workers' Compensation Processes with Work Partners

Choosing Work Partners as your occupational healthcare provider can help you with the settlement and workers’ compensation processes for your company.

The Official Disability Guidelines (ODGs) is a framerowrk adopted country-wide for workers’ compensation and settlements. The point to remember is that ODG’s do not apply to first-aid injuries, removing them from the claim process entirely.

As a client of Work Partners, you pay us directly for our services and keep your company away from the medical and workers’ comp systems. This approach minimizes potential risks and costs associated with medically attended injuries, ensuring a smoother and more cost-effective process.

What Work Partners Can Do For You if Your Employee Suffers from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

You can provide essential occupational healthcare services for your employees and mitigate the risk of occupational health hazards by trusting Work Partners.

Discover how Work Partners can assist if you or your employee experiences work-related Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Abbreviations Used:

IW – Injured Worker

EE – Employee

ER – Emergency Room

HSE – Health & Safety Environment Officer

The IW is recommended to follow the PRICE Guidelines*

Protect

Provide common sense protection to the affected joint to prevent further injury.

Rest

Common sense activities as the IW continues to work. May continue to work as tolerated.

Ice

Apply ice to the area for 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours as practical for 48 hours. May alternate with warm, moist heat after 48 hours. Apply firm pressure on ice over the injured area.

Epsom Salt

Mix 1 cup of Epsom salts in a bucket/tub of warm-hot water.
Stir until dissolved.
Insert the joint into the water until the water cools to room temperature, or soak a towel in the Epsom Salt water, wring it out, and apply it to the joint.

Compression

IW may use a compression sleeve or ace wrap to help reduce swelling.

Elevation

Keep the ankle joint elevated if possible.

Medication

Alternating an OTC ibuprofen (2 tablets of 200 mg pills) 3 times per day. Do not exceed 1200 mg in one day.

IW can use 2 Tylenol tablets of 325 mg 3 times per day (not to exceed 2000 mg per day).

IW can also use OTC topical creams/ointments such as Bio Freeze, BenGay, or Tiger Balm per label instruction as needed.

*Disclaimer: Work Partners USA is only acting as a safety advisor to the company and its representatives, not the injured worker. When we talk to the injured worker, we are doing it on behalf of the company, not as an advisor to the injured worker.

The EE or Supervisor may contact a doctor at Work Partners at any time should there be any questions or concerns. The doctor at Work Partners should also be contacted if there is a desire to go to a clinic or ER so that they may contact the Supervisor or the HSE and the receiving facility.

Conclusion

As an employer, you can take the necessary steps to prevent and manage work-related Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Providing employee education on proper hand techniques, implementing correct ergonomic practices, and offering regular breaks to employees are just a few of the things that can lower the risk of your employees suffering from CTS.

Having access to an occupational healthcare provider, such as Work Partners, can ensure early intervention and prevent the progression of CTS, reducing the potential for long-term disability.

Become a responsible employer and get in touch with Work Partners today to learn more about what we can do for you.