Carpal tunnel syndrome does not usually happen because of one single accident. It is a repetitive motion injury that builds up over months or years of strain. In California, the law calls this cumulative trauma. This means the damage happens because you do the same motion every day at your job. Typing on a keyboard or using hand tools are common ways this starts.
You might feel a tingly or numb sensation in your palms and fingers. Some people feel a burning sensation that moves from their hand up their arm. Over time, your grip gets weak. It might even become hard to hold a coffee mug or a pen. Because the injury happens slowly, many workers wait too long to say something. If the pain is making it hard to work, it is time to look at your options for workers’ compensation.
Your Legal Rights Under FEHA and the ADA
The law protects you if you have carpal tunnel. Both the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Employment and Housing Act recognize it as a disability. This is big news for workers because it means your boss has to help you. Under FEHA, employers must provide reasonable accommodations. This helps you keep working while your body heals. Common accommodations include:
- Providing technological equipment like standing desks or ergonomic keyboards.
- Allowing more frequent rest breaks for your hands and wrists.
- Offering flexible hours so you can attend medical appointments.
- Modifying job duties or changing your occupation to prevent further injury.
Your employer can only say no if the cost is way too high or if the change would ruin the business. If they refuse to help for no good reason, they might be breaking the law.
Common Work Restrictions and Medical Orders
If you see a doctor for your wrist pain, they will likely give you a list of things you cannot do. Following these orders is a big part of your recovery. Doctors often tell patients to stop doing repetitive movements or flexing their wrists. You might be restricted from:
- Using tools that vibrate and stress the median nerve.
- Prolonged typing, texting, or writing.
- Gripping, holding, or carrying heavy objects.
- Assembling products with very small or intricate parts.
These restrictions are not just suggestions. They are medical orders that your employer should follow. If you had surgery, your post-surgery instructions are even more strict. Employers in California are supposed to recognize these limits and find light-duty work for you.
How to File Your Claim and Meet Deadlines
The process for getting benefits is very strict. In California, you should tell your employer about your injury within one working day of getting a diagnosis. You need to ask for a form called the DWC-1. Filling this out correctly is the first step to getting your medical bills paid. If you miss the reporting deadlines found in the Labor Code, you could lose your right to any money.
Once you file, the insurance company has to act. They must authorize up to 10,000 dollars for your medical treatment while they check out your claim. A very important rule to remember is the 90-day window. If the insurance company does not deny your claim within 90 days, the law says it is approved. You will also have to see a doctor chosen by the insurance company to confirm what your own doctor found.
Settlement Values and Disability Payments
Many workers want to know how much their case is worth. While every situation is different, average settlements in California often range between 30,000 and 70,000 dollars. This money helps cover your lost wages and future medical care. If you are totally unable to work, you might qualify for disability payments. These can be worth up to 3,600 dollars for SSDI or 914 dollars a month for SSI if you meet the requirements.
Winning these cases is not easy. Insurance companies often claim your carpal tunnel came from hobbies or age rather than work. You need a lot of evidence, like medical records and doctor statements, to prove the job caused the trauma. Having a Los Angeles workers’ compensation lawyer makes a huge difference here. A lawyer helps gather the right paperwork so your claim does not get dismissed.
Get Legal Help for Your Carpal Tunnel Claim
Going through a workers’ comp case alone is risky. Most claims are denied because workers do not have enough proof that their job caused the injury. If your claim was denied or if you are having a dispute with the insurance company, you need someone on your side. Hinden & Breslavsky has the experience to help you get the maximum benefits you deserve. Call us at (323) 954-1800 to talk about your case. We can give you honest advice on how to move forward and protect your future.