NWCDN Members regularly post articles and summary judgements in workers’ compensations law in your state.
Select a state from the dropdown menu below to scroll through the state specific archives for updates and opinions on various workers’ compensation laws in your state.
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For many years, the common wisdom has held that carpal tunnel syndrome occurs through repetitive use of the hands and fingers; typing is often given as an example of what causes this malady. Consistent with this common wisdom, the Industrial Accident Board often found carpal tunnel syndrome to be related to one’s employment performing repetitive hand movements. However, the Board appears to be undergoing a paradigm shift in the compensability of allegedly work-related carpal tunnel syndrome, consistent with a growing body of scientific literature on the subject. A recent Board Decision has adopted the most recent scientific literature on carpal tunnel syndrome. Specifically, the Board accepted the opinion of a medical expert that recent scientific studies were performed comparing keyboarding work with the general population and the occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome; those studies showed no increased occurrences of carpal tunnel syndrome with individuals who performed regular keyboarding work. See Lewis v. State, 1481670 (Feb. 9, 2021). However, the expert in that case did note an increased occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome in professions “with a forcible use of the wrist against resistance,” with examples of meat packing plants and work with vibrating tools. It is also worth noting that carpal tunnel syndrome has been alleged as a consequence of acute trauma, whether to the shoulder, wrist, hand, or fingers. However, much of the same science applies. The Board has accepted a medical opinion, offered in the case of an alleged traumatically induced carpal tunnel syndrome, that “60 percent of CTS cases have an idiopathic, or unexplained, origin.” Woodie v. Malik’s Repair, Inc., IAB No. 1496417 (Nov. 13, 2020). The idiopathic nature of the condition can combine with testimony on a lack of direct trauma, and/or a delay in symptoms, to avoid compensability. See Gonzalez-Hernandez v. JT Hoover Concrete, IAB No. 1465912 (Sep. 6, 2019). In sum, the Board is casting a more critical eye on allegations of carpal tunnel syndrome. For that reason, claims of carpal tunnel syndrome should be investigated thoroughly, with the goal of raising a vigorous defense where possible. Following these trends and the Board’s guidance on same, allegations of carpal tunnel syndrome from repetitive hand or finger movement should be scrutinized to a greater extent, while a diagnosis following trauma should be investigated for prior symptoms, delays in symptoms, and potential idiopathic or alternative causes of the condition and/or symptoms. A full investigation, supported by an expert examination, will help to continue this trend in favor of the defense. If you should have any questions on this issue, then please contact anyAttorney in our Workers’ Compensation Department. |