Law Office of Brian D. Lassen

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage in the wrist formed by the carpal bones and the transverse carpal ligament through which travel nine flexor tendons and the median nerve. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the median nerve is compressed against the transverse carpal ligament, causing pain, numbness, tingling and weakness in the fingers, hand and sometimes the arm.

While there are a number of causes and/or risk factors for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, it has generally been understood and accepted that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be caused by trauma or jobs that involve highly repetitive tasks and/or improper ergonomics. Examples are assembly line work, cashier or keyboard use.

Under certain circumstances, if you are diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and it was caused or aggravated by your work, you may be entitled to benefits under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act.

If you can no longer earn as much as you did before the accident, you may be entitled to receive weekly compensation equal to 2/3 of the difference between your old wages and your new wages. However, you cannot be compensation for both loss of wages and loss of use, or permanency, caused by the same injury – you must select one or the other.

Your employer may be responsible for vocational rehabilitation with the goal of training your for a meaningful job within your restrictions that you can perform and for which there is a reasonably stable employment market.

Yes. A claim must be filed within three (3) years after the accident or within two (2) years following the last payment of weekly compensation (not including medical), whichever is later. If death occurs as a result of the accident, claims must be filed within three (3) years of the death, within two (2) years of the last date of payment of weekly compensation, or within three (3) years of the date of the last payment of compensation under the Occupational Diseases Act, whichever is later. For radiation and asbestos exposure, you essentially have 25 years after the date of last exposure to file a claim.
If you sustain a work injury you should consider filing a claim before the Illinois Industrial Commission if you do not receive the benefits to which you believe you are entitled, or if you believe that you may need future medical or that your disability may worsen.

If you are injured at work, you are generally entitled to first aid, medical and hospital care necessary to treat your injury.  In addition, you are entitled to receive two-thirds (66 2/3%) of your average weekly wages while you are temporarily and totally disabled and medically authorized to be off from work.  These benefits are known as Temporary Total Disability, or TTD.  If you are found to be permanently disabled as a result of your injury, you are entitled to benefits known as Permanent Partial Disability, or PPD.  In the case of death, your dependents may be entitled to death benefits as provided for by the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act.

Yes.  Under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, your employer or their representative has the right to ask you to be examined by a doctor of their choice and, even though their doctor may differ or disagree with your treating physician, your employer or their representative has the right to base their decisions and actions in you claim on their doctor’s opinion.

The requested examination must be scheduled at a reasonable time and place.  Your employer pays for this examination.  Your employer must also pay for travel expenses and meals reasonably incurred.  Furthermore, you and your attorney are entitled to a copy of the examination report.

You may seek, and your employer is liable for, medical treatment from two doctors of your own choosing for a particular injury.  You may also consult and treat with doctors to whom you are referred by your first two doctors.  If you go beyond the two doctors of your own choosing and those to whom they refer you, this treatment is at your own expense, including all prescriptions, tests or hospital care that the additional doctor orders.  The two doctor limit does not include doctors your employer asks you to consult.

It is generally in your best interest to select your own physician, surgeon and hospital rather than an employer appointed doctor, as your doctor will hold your interests foremost.

No.  Once again, workers’ compensation benefits are limited to benefits specifically prescribed by law.

Such social or athletic events are not a part of your job duties and are generally not covered.  However, if your employer requires your attendance, you may be covered.

No.  Again, because workers’ compensation does not consider questions of blame, you would be entitled only to those benefits provided by law.