Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The carpal tunnel is a passageway in the wrist that is formed by eight bones which make up the floor, ceiling and the sides of the tunnel. The transverse carpal ligament is a strong ligament that acts at the ceiling to the tunnel and it is possibly the most crucial part of the carpal tunnel. The tunnel contains tendons and muscles which help us to flex our fingers and thumb and there is also a nerve cord that runs through the tunnel to communicate touch and feel with the brain. 

If you are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome as a result of someone else’s negligent actions, you may be able to claim compensation as a result.  To find out whether you can claim, speak to First Personal Injury as soon as possible. 

About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) refers to a feeling or uncomfortableness that occurs after pressure is placed upon the wrist nerve cord. The pressure causes symptoms like:

• An ache or pain in the fingers, hand or arm
• Numb hands
• Tingling or pins and needles
• A weak thumb or difficulty gripping

These symptoms usually start off small but can grow in intensity. The symptoms are also not consistently present, as they often come and go. The symptoms are usually worse at night which can have the unintended consequence of causing sleeping problems like insomnia, only creating more distress for the sufferer. 

The injury is sometimes experienced in both hands but sometimes it is experience in just one hand. The hand that you favour is the most likely hand to be impacted as it is more like that this hand is at risk of receiving excess pressure to the wrist. Relief from the painful and distressing symptoms can sometimes be achieved by massaging or shaking the hands. The pain is often very severe, and it can impact the whole hand or just certain fingers or the thumb. 

Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by the repeated flexing and extending of the wrist through repetitive actions like writing, typing, or using a computer mouse. These actions cause pressure and tension to form in the wrist, which causes painful symptoms. 

There are certain steps that an employer should take and encourage to ensure that the likelihood of their employees developing CTS is decreased. For example, they should allow for regular breaks from repetitive tasks at work, as well as providing the correct working equipment and position of this equipment – such as the use of a board if someone is in pain to elevate the keyboard. Employees should also ensure that they attempt to maintain a decent posture while performing these tasks to decrease their own risk of developing CTS. 

Most of the symptoms are treated medically through rest and anti-inflammatory painkillers. Depending upon the severity of the injury, splints may be necessary. Surgery may also occasionally be needed if the injury is very severe. 

There are lots of different causes of carpal tunnel syndrome and there are also a lot of different conditions that can have carpal tunnel syndrome as a side effect of living with that condition. Causes of carpal tunnel syndrome include: 

• Repetitive movements – such as typing or similar movements that involve moving the wrist in similar motions over and over again. This is especially true of the things that you do when your hands are lower than your wrists.  
• Pregnancy – the symptoms for carpal tunnel syndrome in pregnancy will often include pins and needles and numbness. 

• Pre-existing medical conditions like hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, obesity.  

There are also certain risk factors that can increase the likelihood that you will suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome. This includes: 

• Being a woman – women are three times more likely to suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome than men.  
• Have a job that includes repetitive hand movements, such as certain office work.  
• Suffer from a wrist fracture or dislocation.  

• Have a family history of medically small carpal tunnels. 

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Employment And Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Your employer has a duty of care towards you to ensure your health and safety. In order to do this, your employer should follow the health and safety guidance that is relevant to your industry, as put forward by the Health and Safety Executive. 

As stated, this guidance will depend upon the industry within which you work. However, there are certain general guidelines that will be relevant to everyone. While repeating repetitive movements, you should: 

• Try to keep your wrists as straight as possible. 

• Use a splint or a brace to help keep your wrist in a neutral position.  
• Keep your hands warm.  
• Avoid flexing and extending your wrists multiple times. 
• Take frequent rest breaks, at least five minutes every hour.  

If you follow these steps, this should help to decrease the likelihood that you will suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome. If you believe that your employer has failed to protect you and put the proper regulations in place in order to ensure your safety in the workplace, you may be able to claim compensation. 

Treatments For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

If you believe that you might be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, you should make an effort to get medical treatment. The medical team will conduct research such as X-rays to confirm that you have the condition. 

Once it has been determined that you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, your treatment will depend upon how serious the condition is. You might need:  

• Lifestyle changes – this includes repetitive motions, taking breaks more often or doing less of the activity that is causing your pain.  
• Medication to treat your symptoms and alleviate your pain. Medication will tackle the inflammation and steroids can curb swelling in that area. 

• Exercises – completing stretching exercises and strengthening that area of your arm can help to make you feel better. Nerve gliding exercises can help to move around the impacted nerve within the carpal tunnel.  
• Surgery – if none of these treatments work, you might have to undergo surgery in order to increase the carpal tunnel and ease the nerval pressure. 

The costs for certain types of treatment can be claimed back through compensation if your carpal tunnel syndrome was caused by the negligence of someone else, such as your employer. 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Compensation 

The amount of compensation that you can claim for carpal tunnel syndrome will depend upon the circumstances of your case. The amount of compensation that you will be awarded in your case will be determined by looking at two categories: general damages and special damages. 

General Damages 

General damages refers to the physical and emotional damage caused by your injuries or illness. In the simplest terms, it refers to compensation for pain and suffering. This type of compensation also covers any losses of amenity, aka a decrease in your ability to function, that has arisen from the injuries/illness sustained in an accident or prolonged negative situation. To view estimates for personal injury types, visit our compensation calculator. 

Special Damages 

Special damages compensation refers to compensation that covers the financial losses and expenses incurred as a result of an accident or medical negligence. Special damages could help to reclaim a loss of income if you have been unable to work due to your food-related illness. Similarly, if you have had to pay to go to a medical appointment or if you had to pay to travel to a medical appointment, you could be able to claim these medical costs back. 

Making a Claim With First Personal Injury

If you have suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. First Personal Injury solicitors are available to assist you and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

First Personal Injury works with both families and individuals across England and Wales, leading them on their legal journey and helping them claim compensation after an accident or injury

To learn more or to start your claim, get in touch with our expert team on 0800 808 9740 or contact us online.