Long Island Personal Injury Lawyer: CTS Injury in Construction Work

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, three to six percent of adults, or roughly 15 million people in the United States, are affected by CTS or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Research has found that the main cause of this injury is repetitive hand and wrist movements. Construction workers who repeatedly use the same tools every day are among the most common victims of CTS, along with office employees, agricultural workers, mechanics, locksmiths and assembly line workers. If you were diagnosed with CTS due to your working conditions, consult a Long Island personal injury lawyer about claiming compensation.

Long Island Personal Injury Lawyer CTS Injury in Construction Work

Worker’s Compensation Regarding CTS

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is recognized in most states as a compensable medical injury. However, to receive Workers’ Compensation Benefits, you will have to forfeit your right to sue your employer for your injuries. What you receive as compensation would be your only means of recovery from CTS, including your medical expenses and lost wages, and the amount will be based on the nature of your injury. It is important to note that the symptoms for CTS might take years to manifest. Even if you’ve already left the job that caused your injury, you may still be able to claim compensation.

Employer’s Liability

If your company does not have workers’ compensation insurance, you may file a civil suit against it with the help of a personal injury lawyer. Likewise, if your injury was caused by using a defective product, or if your employer has not adopted any measures to reduce the risks of CPS, ask a personal injury lawyer about filing a lawsuit.

By law, employers are only required to purchase compensation insurance for their own employees. That means if you are an independent contractor, you will not be covered. An employer who does not employ the minimum number of employees or do not meet the minimum amount of payroll per calendar quarter are also excluded from the worker’s compensation system.

Still, there is a chance that you may be a misclassified worker. In that case, a judge or the Worker’s Compensation Board can help determine your employee status to see if you may receive compensation. You will need assistance from a personal injury attorney in Long Island to represent you in the legal proceedings.

Worker’s compensation rules for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome vary from state to state. It would be beneficial for you to work with a knowledgeable lawyer from esteemed firms like The Law Offices of Joseph M. Lichtenstein to guide you through the process.

Sources:

Can I Make a Carpal Tunnel Injury Claim?, www.NOLO.com

Employer Liability for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Injury, www.AllLaw.com

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