Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Claims

When you suffer an injury that is linked to your employment, it can make your life incredibly difficult, particularly if it is an ongoing condition such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Not only can it make carrying out your work painful and more challenging, but it can also have a significant impact on your personal life too.

Your employer has a legal obligation to ensure that your working environment is safe and that you are able to complete your job without unnecessary risk. When your job is linked to potential vulnerabilities in your health or well-being, your employer must recognise these risks and make adequate provisions to protect you.

If your employer breaches their duty of care to you and you are diagnosed with a condition such as carpal tunnel syndrome, you are likely to be eligible to make a claim for compensation. If you would like to have an informal chat with an experienced legal adviser, call 0800 470 0474, or you can arrange a call back using our online claim form. They will listen carefully to the circumstances surrounding your injury and will be able to let you know if you have a valid carpal tunnel syndrome claim.

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Table of Contents

• What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
• What are the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
• Who is most likely to suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
• How is carpal tunnel syndrome treated?
• Can I make a claim following a diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
• Does my employer have a duty of care to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome?
• How much compensation will I receive?
• Will I be offered a no win no fee service?
• How do I make a carpal tunnel syndrome claim?
• Are there any time limits for making a claim?
• What evidence will I need to make a carpal tunnel claim?
• Ready to start your injury claim?

The following guide provides information on carpal tunnel syndrome, the likely causes and how you might be able to make a claim for the compensation that you are legally entitled to.

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a debilitating condition that affects the hands and fingers of sufferers. The condition can cause significant levels of pain and discomfort, numbness, pins and needles and tingling sensations in the affected area. The most common cause of the condition is a strain on the wrists, hands or fingers, usually through repetitive and long-term motions such as typing. Carpal tunnel syndrome falls within the group of conditions known as type 1 repetitive strain injury.

CTS is more common in women than men and is particularly prevalent during pregnancy when joints are already under additional strain, and water is more readily retained. Age can affect the likelihood of a person being diagnosed with the condition as the carpal tunnel weakens and is less susceptible to pressure. It is therefore vital that workers take regular breaks, rest and alternate movements in the hands and fingers and adhere to any safety measures offered by an employer.

If CTS has been diagnosed and it is likely that your occupation was the cause of the condition, you may be eligible to make a claim for compensation against your employer.

What are the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can be painful and restrict a sufferer’s ability to carry out their normal daily activities which can have a significant impact on earning potential and emotional stability. Some of the most common symptoms associated with the condition include:

• Numbness in the hands or wrist
• Numbness in the thumb or fingers
• Pins and needles
• Burning or tingling sensations
• Overall pain and discomfort in the wrist, hand and fingers.

Some symptoms are constant though many sufferers complain of intermittent symptoms. Numbness is associated with nighttime and relaxing periods when the hands and fingers are rested.

If left untreated, CTS can lead to permanent nerve damage and symptom severity increasing. Untreated CTS can lead to irreparable damage and constant symptoms that will severely impact on a sufferer’s quality of life and ability to work.

Who is most likely to suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused when a person makes repeated hand movements over a prolonged period of time, such as a typist. There are several jobs that are considered to be high risk for the potential of CTS, and it is important for employers in these fields to make adequate provisions to protect their employees from developing the condition.

Solicitors have a wealth of experience in securing the highest levels of compensation for CTS sufferers in various industries. Some of the most common occupations that suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome include:

• Typists
• Assembly line workers
• Packers
• Drivers
• Painters
• Writers
• Musicians

This list is not exhaustive, and we encourage anyone who is suffering from CTS to contact a solicitor to discuss the cause of your condition, the severity of your symptoms and your eligibility to make a claim for compensation.

How is carpal tunnel syndrome treated?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common problems affecting the hand, causing symptoms such as pain, numbness and general weakness in the hand and wrist. There are two main types of treatment for CTS, each with its pros and cons:

• Nonsurgical treatment

In the early stages, there are some things that might make the problem go away, such as:

• Rest your hands by taking frequent breaks
• Adjust the height of your chair
• Reposition your computer keyboard
• Change the position of your hand and wrist during activities
• Avoid activities that exacerbate symptoms
• Reduce swelling by applying cold packs

If you develop carpal tunnel syndrome and the condition is diagnosed early, other nonsurgical treatments may help improve symptoms, such as:

• Wrist splinting – wearing a splint that holds your wrist still at night can help relieve pressure on the nerve and symptoms such as numbness and tingling.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, paracetamol or naproxen, can help relieve symptoms in the short term but cannot treat the cause of CTS.
• Corticosteroids – your doctor may recommend injecting cortisone into the carpal tunnel to decrease inflammation and swelling and relieve pressure on the median nerve.

If your symptoms are severe and do not respond to other treatments, your healthcare provider might recommend surgery.

• Surgical treatment

Surgical treatment involves cutting the ligament covering the carpal tunnel at the base of the palm to increase the size of the tunnel and decrease the pressure on the nerves and tendons that pass through the space. There are two different surgical techniques:

• Endoscopic Surgery – your surgeon will use a tiny camera-equipped endoscope to view inside the carpal tunnel and cut the ligament through one or two small incisions in the hand or wrist. In some cases, ultrasound may be used instead of an endoscope.
• Open Surgery – your surgeon will make an incision in the palm over the carpal tunnel and cuts the ligament to free the nerve. This may result in more pain in the first days or weeks after the surgery.

If you developed CTS due to another party’s negligence, you might be entitled to file a carpal tunnel syndrome claim. If your case is successful, you could receive compensation for your pain, suffering, and the cost of any treatments you received.

Can I make a claim following a diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome can have significant effects on a sufferer’s daily life and ability to work. As detailed above, there are a host of occupations that have been closely linked to the development of CTS, and if it can be demonstrated that your employer was to blame for the condition, you will be eligible to make a claim for personal injury compensation.

Your employer has a legal duty of care to you to minimise risk and provide adequate safety measures to prevent you suffering from work-related illnesses or injuries. In cases such as CTS, this is achieved through regular breaks, training on preventive exercises and regular assessments to ensure that working environments are safe. If the employer has failed in taking this action, they have breached their duty of care to you and are likely to be liable to pay damages for your condition.

CTS is associated with repeated hand movements over a prolonged time, and if your employer does not observe their duty of care in encouraging preventative methods and behaviour, they are likely to be found liable for your condition. Injury solicitors are experienced in successfully assisting clients to claim compensation from current and previous employers who are responsible for the onset of their carpal tunnel syndrome.

Does my employer have a duty of care to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome?

Due to the nature of many jobs, work-related carpal tunnel syndrome injuries are fairly common. While it can be challenging to determine liability in these cases, a personal injury solicitor could help you secure carpal tunnel compensation.

Employers have a duty of care to prevent conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome that could be due to work-related activities. This can include:

• Undertake regular risk assessments to identify hazards that may cause employees to develop carpal tunnel;
• Provide ergonomic equipment and promote regular breaks;
• Provide training on proper techniques to reduce the risk of injury;
• Address any hazards or factors in the workplace that may contribute to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome;
• Make sure you receive proper training and instructions regarding the use of equipment, including laptops and desktops;
• Maintain a comfortable temperature, as colder environments increase carpal tunnel risk;
• Promote regular and sufficient breaks;
• Supply all necessary equipment to carry out your job safely and without risks to your health

Various legislation and regulations are in place to hold employers accountable for reducing the risk of work-related conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. This includes the following:

• The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 covers all areas of health and safety in the workplace, providing a range of guidelines that all employers must follow to protect employees.
• The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 sets out guidelines regarding display screen equipment if you work in an office to ensure your workstation is safe and comfortable;
• The Manual Handling Regulations 1992 apply to workplaces that involve lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying and other manual handling tasks;
• The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 highlights that employers must identify workplace risks and take proactive steps to mitigate or manage these risks by having robust risk assessment processes in place.

If you were diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome and believe that your employers breached their duty of care towards you, call 0800 470 0474 or arrange a call back to speak to a legal adviser. If your case has merit, a solicitor could help you claim compensation for carpal tunnel on a no win no fee* basis.

How much compensation will I receive?

The amount of compensation that you are awarded will be determined based on the severity of your symptoms and their impact on your life. The compensation amount is calculated on a case-by-case basis, so it is recommended to seek the advice of a personal injury solicitor to determine how much you may be entitled to receive.

Carpal tunnel claims, as with all other types of personal injury claims, cover two types of damages:

General damages are awarded for the injury itself and its intangible effects on your life, such as:

• Physical pain, distress and suffering
• Reduced quality of life
• Detrimental effects on your career progression
• Loss of a unique career
• Loss of mobility and physical impairment
• Inability to pursue a hobby
• Incapacity to carry out day-to-day tasks
• Mental and emotional distress

Special damages compensate for any financial expenses and future losses, such as:

• The cost of medical treatments you underwent
• Loss of earnings and all future earnings
• Prescriptions costs, wrist splints and any other medical aids
• The cost of any ongoing, long-term medical care
• Cost of rehabilitation or therapy
• Cost of hiring household help or assistance with daily tasks
• Travel expenses for medical appointments

There are formal guidelines (the Judicial College Guidelines) that lawyers refer to when calculating general damages in carpal tunnel claims. According to these, you could receive the following:

• Between £2,070 and £3,310 for mild CTS with recovery within a few weeks or months
• Between £14,900 and £16,340 for continuing but fluctuating symptoms
• Between £13,000 and £20,000 for severe carpal tunnel syndrome

To secure the maximum award in a carpal tunnel syndrome claim, your solicitor will need to demonstrate the defendant’s liability and the extremes of your symptoms. There are several pieces of evidence you could provide to this end, such as medical records, receipts for expenses and pay slips.

Will I be offered a no win no fee service?

If you have a valid claim, your injury lawyer will offer to work for you on a no win no fee basis. Also called a conditional fee agreement, the no win no fee service means that if you lose your claim, you won’t pay your solicitors a penny.

When you make a no win no fee carpal tunnel syndrome claim with the help of an expert solicitor, you will have nothing to pay at the outset. You will also be given the guarantee and peace of mind of knowing that there will never be any hidden or unexpected costs along the way.

You can read more about the no win no fee policy here or feel free to contact a solicitor if you have any questions.

How do I make a carpal tunnel syndrome claim?

We completely understand that embarking on a personal injury claim, particularly against an employer, can be daunting. For this reason, your solicitor will work hard to make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible.

The very first step is a free case assessment. This is where you will discuss your injury and how it was caused, so your solicitors can evaluate the likely success of your claim. At this stage, you will be able to ask any questions to get a better understanding of the process and the service they can provide.

If it is determined that you meet the criteria for a personal injury claim, it will then be up to you to choose a solicitor to represent you.

Your chosen injury lawyer will then start the claims process by gathering evidence to support your claim and notifying your employer and the insurance company that provide their employers’ liability policy.

If your employer accepts liability for your carpal tunnel injury, they will then begin negotiating the amount of compensation that you should receive. Providing a suitable settlement can be reached, the case will then be completed, and you will receive your compensation payment.

If liability is denied, or if your solicitor cannot reach an agreement about the amount of damages that should be paid, the case may need to be decided in court. Although in reality, the vast majority of personal injury cases of this type are settled without requiring the involvement of the courts.

Are there any time limits for making a claim?

Under personal injury law, you have a time limit of three years to begin a claim against somebody who’s negligence has caused you to suffer an injury.

With most accident claims the injury is caused by a sudden event, such as slipping on a wet floor, being involved in a car accident or being injured by faulty machinery at work. But with claims for carpal tunnel and similar repetitive strain injuries, the injury is usually caused over a long period of time rather than on one specific date.

So with carpal tunnel syndrome claims, the three year time limit will begin on the date that your condition is diagnosed by your GP or doctor. In personal injury terms, this is known as the date of knowledge.

It is important that you start your claim within this time limit as failing to do so can render your case time or statute barred. This will prevent you from claiming compensation regardless of the extent of your injuries and the impact they have had on your life.

What evidence will I need to make a carpal tunnel claim?

If you want to claim compensation for carpal tunnel, you will need to provide your injury lawyer with as much information as possible to help build your case. This could include:

• A detailed description of your work environment, including your workstation and any equipment you use to carry out your work;
• Documentation of your job duties and how they may have contributed to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome;
• Medical records, including any tests or examinations that confirm carpal tunnel syndrome and the results of any treatment or therapy you received;
• Documents related to any risk assessments your employer undertook and what they did to reduce the risks of developing carpal tunnel syndrome and other conditions;
• Statement from co-workers, friends, or family members who can support your claim that your work activities caused your carpal tunnel syndrome;
• Your notes detailing when the symptoms started, their nature and the effect they had on your life;
• A testimony from a medical expert to support the relationship between your work activities and the development of your condition;
• Records of any time off from work and any reduction in income as a result of your carpal tunnel syndrome;
• Evidence of other related financial expenses, such as receipts and bank statements.

If you received a carpal tunnel diagnosis, it is essential to consult a qualified solicitor for guidance and assistance in presenting a strong case for carpal tunnel compensation. For a free case assessment, call 0800 470 0474 or enter your details into our online claim form.

Ready to start your injury claim?

If you would like to discuss your case with an experienced personal injury lawyer, call 0800 470 0474 or request a call back using to contact form below to arrange your free case assessment. This can be done over the phone and won’t take any more than 15 minutes in most cases.

If your solicitor can help and you would like to proceed, they will be happy to act on a no win no fee basis. This means there are no upfront costs, no hidden charges and if they don’t win, you won’t pay a penny.