If you've ever glanced at Maryland's worker's compensation laws or perhaps read our September post regarding injuries covered by workers comp benefits, then you'd know that Maryland law includes a very specific phrase that can create problems for injured workers. Our state laws explain that in order for an injury claim to be covered under insurance, a worker's injuries must have been suffered during the course of employment while performing their duties. This means that not all injuries are covered, only those resulting from work duties or because of the type of work performed.
This leads to an important question then: Is carpal tunnel syndrome covered by Maryland workers' comp?
As some of our Upper Marlboro readers know, carpal tunnel syndrome is a type of repetitive motion injury. Those who are diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome typically experience numbness, tingling, stiffness in affected areas and occasional pain, which can affect a person's ability to do their job temporarily or permanently. But is this condition covered by workers' comp benefits?
In order to answer this question, we must first consider the specific language used in Maryland law. If the repetitive motion injury was the direct result of actions performed during the course of work, then an injured worker may have a claim for workers' comp coverage. If the injury was not the result of work duties, then a claim could be denied.
It's very important for today's readers to note that repetitive motion injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome can be incredibly difficult to prove. An injured worker can easily experience pushback from an insurance company, which is not something most people are prepared to handle or know how to effectively. Talking to an experienced lawyer can help, especially if the attorney is well-versed in workers' comp and injury law.
Sources: WebMD, "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Symptoms," Accessed Oct. 30, 2015
The Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission, "Maryland Workers' Compensation Law," Accessed Oct. 30, 2015