
Carpal tunnel syndrome is an injury that causes pain and discomfort in the wrists, arms, and hands. The injury can be extremely disabling to the point where individuals can no longer perform day-to-day tasks and need assistance. Causes include repetitive motion tasks and injuries that come from accidents such as automobile accidents and slip and fall injuries.
If you or a loved one has suffered a carpal tunnel injury that was caused by someone else’s negligence or fault, you may be entitled to compensation for the damages you received. Depending on the circumstances, this may be through a workers’ compensation claim, insurance settlement, or a lawsuit. Since insurance companies, including those covering workers’ compensation, may try to deny your claim or pay out as little as possible, it may help to have an attorney on your side to fight for the best settlement possible.
Since every situation is different, the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine provides a free consultation to discuss the individual circumstances of your case. We work on a contingency basis, so there are no fees to you unless a Boca Raton carpal tunnel syndrome lawyer from our team wins your case. Call us today at 1-800-747-3733 for your no-obligation case evaluation.
How Accidents Cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The wrist is the narrowest part of the arm and therefore is susceptible to damage from trauma. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), carpal tunnel syndrome is caused when the median nerve of the hand, which runs from the palm into the forearm, becomes squeezed or compressed at the wrist, causing the nerve to become irritated. Since the median nerve controls the movement of the thumb and first three fingers on the hand, this nerve damage creates pain in the area and makes it difficult to use the hand and fingers. Even worse, the condition tends to be progressive and get worse over time.
In a slip and fall accident, it is a common reaction to try to use your hand to break the fall. The trauma puts tremendous pressure on the wrist and may even break the bones in the wrist, which may pinch the median nerve, and the result is carpal tunnel syndrome.
According to the Mayo Clinic and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, symptoms of carpal syndrome may include:
- Pain in the hand that may radiate up the arm to the shoulder
- Feelings of burning, numbness, or tingling in the thumb or first three fingers
- Weak grip and loss of dexterity in the hand
- Inability to manipulate and hold on to objects
Receiving Compensation for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
If your carpal tunnel injury is work-related, you may receive compensation for your medical bills and lost wages through workers’ compensation, and you do not have to prove negligence. If the injury was caused by an accident, such as a slip and fall, you may be able to receive compensation through a personal injury or premise liability lawsuit. Compensation may include coverage for:
- Costs of medical bills and rehabilitation therapy
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
The amount of compensation you receive will likely depend on factors such as:
- The circumstances of your accident
- The severity of the injury
- Whether you need will need assistance with daily activity
- Whether you will be able to work
- Other effects the injury has on your life and earnings
Proving Negligence
In order to win a compensation award in a lawsuit, you and your Boca Raton carpal tunnel syndrome lawyer must prove that the accident was the result of someone else’s negligence or fault. That individual or entity is the defendant in the case. Proving negligence means showing that:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care not to cause harm
- The defendant breached that duty by negligent actions or failing to act
- This breach caused the accident that resulted in your injury
- You suffered damages as a result
If the case is a slip and fall due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property, you may have a premise liability case. Your attorney would have to show that the property owner was aware or should have been aware of the dangerous conditions, did not fix or warn about the conditions, and was therefore negligent, responsible, and liable for your injuries.
The defendant may attempt to show that you did something that caused or contributed to the accident, especially if it was a slip and fall. According to Florida Statute § 768.81, if there is contributory negligence, a settlement award will be lowered in proportion to the amount of your fault involved. For example, if you were found to be 20 percent at fault, and the defendant is found to be 80 percent at fault, you would be entitled to receive 80 percent of the settlement amount. In Florida, you may still receive compensation even if you are found to be more than 50 percent at fault.
To prove another party was negligent, your attorney may:
- Investigate the scene of the accident
- Interview witnesses
- Review medical and police reports
- Gather evidence, such as from surveillance cameras
- Hire experts to reconstruct the accident and testify as to what your future expenses and care may include
Florida Statute § 95.11 has a limitation or a deadline for filing a lawsuit, and evidence and witnesses tend to disappear over time, so the sooner you call our attorneys, the sooner we can get to work on your case. Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today at 1-800-747-3733 to find out how a Boca Raton carpal tunnel syndrome attorney may be able to help you.
How Our Attorneys May Be Able to Help
Florida personal injury laws are complicated, so it can help to have an attorney who knows the courts and the system on your side to fight for your benefits. A Boca Raton carpal tunnel syndrome lawyer from our team may be able to help by:
- Examining the facts of your case and estimating what it is worth
- Gathering evidence
- Negotiating with insurance companies and their lawyers to get a fair settlement
- Building your case and arguing it in court if necessary
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we go the extra mile to get you the settlement you deserve. Call us today for your free and confidential consultation at 1-800-747-3733.