Bilateral Carpal Tunnel Results in Workers' Compensation Total Disability
Repetitive Motion Trauma
A New Jersey Court of Appeals upheld an award for total disability workers' compensation benefits. The injured worker suffered from bilateral carpal tunnel injuries. The 61-year-old punch press operator was deemed unable to work due to the repetitive motion injury.
Odd Lot Doctrine
The trial court, on remand, found that the injured worker was unemployable, taking into consideration the injuries and personal factors under the Odd Lot Doctrine. This law was adopted from the British common law.
Additionally, the trial court, under NJ State law, held that injuries to both hands were to be evaluated regarding his entire bodily function.
The Appellate Division approved the award, which included an additional fee to be assessed against the employer for the injury to his hands. The injured worker is eligible to receive benefits for his entire life. Rambough v. C.V. Hill Refrigeration, 2011 WL 1675195 (N.J.Super. A.D.) Decided May 5, 2011. Not reported in A.2d.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
“Disorders due to repeated trauma have significantly increased in number and proportion of total injuries to almost half of all reported occupational illnesses. These injuries are the result of repeated motion, vibration, or pressure. The New Jersey Supreme Court has recognized that the modern workplace is technologically sophisticated and that ergonomics present new situations which have generated an epidemic of repetitive stress injuries. This illness category includes carpal tunnel syndrome, synovitis, tenosynovitis, and bursitis.” Gelman, Jon L, Workers’ Compensation Law, 38 NJPRAC §9.2 (Thomson-Reuters 2022). Matter of Musick, 143 N.J. 206, 670 A.2d 11 (1996).
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Jon L. Gelman of Wayne, NJ, is the author of NJ Workers’ Compensation Law (Thomson-Reuters) and co-author of the national treatise Modern Workers’ Compensation Law (Thomson-Reuters). For over 4 decades, the Law Offices of Jon L Gelman 1.973.696.7900 jon@gelmans.com have represented injured workers and their families who have suffered occupational accidents and illnesses.
More links
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NIH Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Fact SheetCarpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. The carpal tunnel—a narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand—houses the median nerve and the tendons that bend the fingers.
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Cleveland Clinic Carpal Tunnel SyndromeCarpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common problems affecting the hand. People with this condition may feel pain, numbness and general weakness in the hand and wrist. Lifestyle changes, like wrist splints and changes to your environment, are possible treatments. Surgery is another option for carpal tunnel.
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ACH Carpal Tunnel SyndromeCarpal tunnel syndrome is possibly the most common nerve disorder experienced today. It affects 4 – 10 million Americans and is usually very treatable. Middle-aged to older individuals are more likely to develop the syndrome than younger persons, and females three times more frequently than males.
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Wikipedia Carap Tunnel SyndromeCarpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the collection of symptoms and signs associated with median neuropathy at the carpal tunnel. Most CTS is related to idiopathic compression of the median nerve as it travels through the wrist at the carpal tunnel (IMNCT). Idiopathic means that there is no other disease process contributing to pressure on the nerve. As with most structural issues, it occurs in both hands, and the strongest risk factor is genetics.
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Carpal tunnel syndrome and workCarpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral nerve entrapment syndrome, and it frequently presents in working-aged adults. Its mild form causes ‘nuisance’ symptoms including dysaesthesia and nocturnal waking.
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Occupational cold exposure and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome – a population-based studyThere were statistically significant positive exposure–response patterns for time spent exposed to contact and ambient cooling at work in relation to reporting symptoms of CTS. Positive additive interaction effects between cold exposure and heavy manual handling were also found.
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Ergonomics: Occupational Disease - Understanding the Law
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