Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition of the wrists that affects the neuromuscular function of the hands. With approximately 900,000 new cases reported every year, it is pervasive. It can result in hundreds of hours of lost work per year.
When carpal tunnel syndrome results from work, it is eligible for OH Workers’ Compensation. However, activities outside of work can also cause it. As an employer, there are things you can do to prevent your employees from developing it and thus avoid these claim payouts.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The carpal tunnel is a space between the bones of the wrist that allows the median nerve to pass through to the fingers. Repetitive motion can put stress on the tissues of the carpal tunnel, which may swell up due to irritation. This puts pressure on the median nerve, disrupting neurological impulses between the fingers and the brain. The result is often symptoms of numbness and tingling in the fingers or weakness of the hand.
When Are Employers Liable for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Your employees may claim OH Workers’ Compensation for carpal tunnel syndrome that arises from work activities. If an employee’s syndrome occurs because working conditions are unsafe, you are definitely liable. High-powered vibrating equipment, awkward hand positions, and repetitive motions of the hand and wrist are also commonly accepted risk factors. Therefore, if the employee’s normal work duties include these, you may be liable for expenses related to their injuries.
However, there are also many risk factors for this syndrome that have nothing to do with work. A sudden injury can cause carpal tunnel syndrome, as can hobbies such as music or sports or underlying medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes. It is the employee’s responsibility to prove that working conditions caused the injury.
What Professions Have High Rates of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
This syndrome is common in the following professions:
- Butchers
- Grinders
- Grocery store workers
- Data entry clerks
- Factory workers
If your business is one in which this syndrome is more prevalent, it may be easier for an employee to prove that his or her condition has arisen from work.
What Can Employers Do To Prevent This Syndrome?
The main cause of repetitive injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome is stress on the body. You can train your employees to work in ways that limit this. You can identify potential sources of injury by having an ergonomic assessment done. You can then use this to determine what other preventative steps are necessary. For example, workers engaged in repetitive tasks could receive longer rest periods or have breaks more often. If you have old equipment that can lead to stress-related injuries, you can have it replaced.
About Haughn & Associates
Founded by Michael Haughn in 1986, Haughn & Associates is a full-service, family-owned, independent insurance agency based out of Dublin, Ohio. H&A strives to provide the best possible price and unique insurance solutions across a myriad of industries, including construction, IT, Habitation & Commercial Property, Agriculture, and Engineering. Devoted to providing the best of business insurance, life and disability insurance, personal insurance, employee benefits, and bonds, H&A is proof that success lies in long-standing client relations and satisfaction. To learn more about how H&A can be of service to you, contact us at (877) 802-2278.
Social Title: OH Workers’ Compensation for Business Owners Regarding Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Social Description: Learn when employees can claim OH Workers’ Compensation for carpal tunnel syndrome and how employers can help prevent CTS among workers.
