No Carpal Comp 4 U 1 Yr

LivindonSouth

I'm told that one or more states do not even recognize carpal tunnel as a condition covered by workers comp. Do you live in one of those states?

safety

I only wish I did. Two ct cases last year and a complaint of one this year from a fork truck driver. #-o

TN HR

In TN the pendulum is starting to swing back the other way. Defense attorneys suddenly stared getting bright and realized that they could intorduce evidence that routine tasks conducted at home such as washing dishes or raking the garden could also very well contribute to repetitive motion injuries.

System

Maryland is not one of those states. I've been lucky enough to have no claims so far. We've ordered ergonomically correct keyboards, wrist pads, and post the 'computer safety' posters.

lorrie

I wish I did too. We've had claims from delivery drivers and fork lift drivers.

nohr4u1yr

Don,

Are you "piggy backing" off my screen name with title of your post? x:D

I will allow you to - since you make me laugh everyday with your comments.

Have a great day!

Nohr4u1yr
Shelley

E Wart

No such luck. We have 2 in GA and 1 in CO. (One of these I firmly believe has to do with employees personal medical condition, but work may have aggrivated... so covered.)
E Wart

LivindonSouth

I'm thinking maybe one of the Carolinas? Actually, nothing 'causes' carpal tunnel syndrome, other than birth. It is a condition present in the wrist area from either birth or early age. The alleged activities that exacerbate the condition and cause inflamation and pain are what employers are being blamed for. In my case, it is impossible to disprove it since our state comp commission buys into it right out of the chute. The employee typically wins and we pay for the surgery.

atrimble

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 06-24-05 AT 01:32PM (CST)[/font][br][br]Missouri is in the middle of trying to approve some significant revisions to our work comp statutes, including: "Occupational diseases and injuries due to repetitive motion 'are compensable only if the occupational exposure was the prevailing factor' in developing the disease." This is under Occupational Diseases Defined, and the definition of "prevailing factor" is "the primary factor, in relation to any other factor, causing both the resulting medical condition and disability." My text from a work comp attorney also notes that a subsection is being added recognizing injuries due to repetitive motion as occupational diseases.

So, I can say at this time and until the Legislature actually acts on it, Missouri does not officially recognize carpal tunnel syndrome as a compensable injury, even though in practice I've seen it covered/compensated.

Abby

Under the new regs, employers can shift the liability of new hires, who develop CTS within 3 months of hire, to the immediate prior employer if the new employer can "prove" the prior work was the prevailing causal factor.

LivindonSouth

Another good example of lawyers passing laws to benefit lawyers.

gismo

Good Morning to All,
I too wish I lived in one of those states! We have an ongoing case with an EE who had CT surgery end of last year and has had nothing but trouble, left with 2 numb fingers and now has to see a specialist. Can't wait to see what this is going to cost.

Have a Good One!

atrimble

I don't think CTS would be a big issue if the work comp administrators (insurers and state departments) would allow chirpractors to treat the condition. I basically type and file for a living, and I've had numb fingers and paralysis and pain and swelling in my forearms before. I get a couple adjustments to the cervical region of my spine and I'm fine again. My chiropractor explained that CT syndrome is an extended set of symptoms stemming from one or more pinched or impinged nerves along or in the upper spine, which manifest in the lower arm near the terminus of the affected nerve(s). A chiropractor can actually tell which vertebrae to adjust based on how far down your arm(s) the symptoms go.

Also, if you'll notice, most of the CTS sufferers have less than perfect posture anyway... (including myself, and including factory line workers and mechanics, etc.)