Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
Compensation Claims

Things to consider when you claim for carpal tunnel syndrome

• Employers owe a duty of care to protect employees from the risk of occupational injuries like CTS.
• You can claim for carpal tunnel syndrome that was caused by your job role or working conditions.
• You can also claim if your existing CTS was made worse, either because your employer failed to take reasonable steps to protect you, or due to medical negligence.
• Compensation can range from £2,450 for short-term CTS to £25,650 for severe CTS symptoms.
• You have 3 years from the date you discovered the cause of your carpal tunnel symptoms to make a claim.
• You can start a claim with no win, no fee.
• Your compensation amount will be influenced by the extent of your injury and your financial losses and expenses. Discover how much you could claim with our compensation calculator.

If Carpal Tunnel Syndrome has set you back, we'll help you move forward

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), a painful and debilitating condition often linked to repetitive hand and wrist activities, can significantly impact your daily life and work capabilities.

If you've developed CTS due to workplace conditions we can help. If there is a link between your work and the condition, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

You can make a No Win, No Fee compensation claim with the help and support of a personal injury solicitor.

You are not alone

CTS is a common condition, especially when a job necessitates repetitive hand and wrist movements, such as office workers, assembly line employees, and musicians. The increase in computer-based jobs, in particular, has contributed to the growth of this condition.

Three times more women suffer from CTS than men (sciencedirect.com).

150 new cases of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome were assessed for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) in 2022 (hse.gov.uk).

However, HSE figures also show that there has been a steady fall in the number of reported cases in the last few years, largely due to uncreased awareness and improved ergonomics in the working environment..

If you are suffering from CTS and you believe your symptoms were caused by your working conditions or job role, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

If you decide to make a claim, your personal injury solicitor will take you through every step of the claims process. Your solicitor will be with you until you win your claim and get the compensation you need to move forward.

If you are looking for information on CTS symptoms and treatment, see: carpal tunnel syndrome (nhs.uk).

How much compensation can I claim for carpal tunnel syndrome?

Your compensation for carpal tunnel syndrome is based on:

• the severity of your illness,
• how your illness impacts your life and ability to work,
• the financial losses or expenses you've faced because of your illness.

General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA). Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College (judiciary.uk) and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.

Special damages is compensation for quantifiable financial losses you've incurred as a result of your carpal tunnel syndrome Compensation can include lost earnings, and any additional expenses directly related to your injury.

These damages will also cover any medical or treatment bills, such as wrist splints, corticosteroid injections, physiotherapy and pain medication.

Read more:

A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim

How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?

Average Carpal Tunnel Syndrome compensation payouts

The following Carpal Tunnel Syndrome payouts refer to the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, 17th Edition by the Judicial College (oup.com).

These tables are used by solicitors or by the courts as a starting point when calculating your compensation.

Please note: these average figures represent general damages only, and do not include any element of special damages (e.g. lost wages).

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)

Do I have a carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) claim?

You can start a claim for carpal tunnel syndrome, if:

• you were injured within the last 3 years, and;
• another person was to blame, and;
• that person owed you a duty of care.

Find out online if you can claim with our injury claim calculator. Alternatively, you can speak to a claims advisor on 0800 376 1001 and find out if you have a claim in minutes.

How long do I have to start a carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) claim?

In most cases, you have 3 years from the date of your accident or injury.

You may still be able to claim compensation if you were injured by another's negligence and you only discovered it later. Generally, the clock starts ticking from the date you were diagnosed or became aware of your injury.

What Carpal Tunnel symptoms can I claim for?

The main symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome affect feeling and motor capability in the hand. Symptoms can affect the thumb, index, middle and ring fingers. These symptoms can result in difficulties maintaining a grip on objects and operating machinery.

The pain associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is primarily severe numbness. This pain can be so intense it can wake individuals from sleep.

Surgery may be required to alleviate symptoms. Following Carpal Tunnel Syndrome surgery, up to three months recovery time may typically be needed.

Can I claim for mild symptoms?

Regardless of the severity of your condition, you should consider starting a claim for compensation. CTS can worsen over time.

Your Carpal Tunnel compensation award or settlement can take into account:

• the likely progression of the disease, and
• the impact on your future career.

Claiming Carpal Tunnel Syndrome compensation from your employer

Work-related CTS typically results from repetitive strain on the wrists, hands, or fingers. Regular use of power tools without protective measures or sufficient breaks, along with prolonged typing without ergonomic support, can lead to CTS, as well as other conditions like Vibration White Finger (VWF) and Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI).

If your CTS is due to work tasks, inadequate equipment, or a failure to carry out regular risk assessments of your working environment, you can claim compensation from your employer.

Your solicitor will determine whether your employer breached health and safety regulations and, if negligent, they could be liable to pay you compensation for your CTS injury.

What is the law relating to CTS claims?

Relevant legislation which may support your Carpal Tunnel Syndrome claim includes:

• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 - which place a duty of care on employers to provide safe working conditions, suitable equipment, and appropriate safety training an supervision for their employees.
• Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 - which provide health and safety guidelines for working with display screen equipment. These include guidelines for safety measures such as the provision of ergonomically designed chairs.

When should I start a claim for CTS?

Starting a claim promptly after diagnosis (date of knowledge) will give your claim the best chance of success. Your solicitor will evaluate your claim's value and your compensation settlement will reflect your injury's severity and its impact on your life and work.

Understanding employer liability for CTS

CTS can often lead to a claim against the employer. Click the icon below for more information.

Work accidents Other accidents

Sources

Author:
Gaynor Haliday, Legal researcher

About the author

Gaynor Haliday is an experienced legal researcher and published author. She has had numerous articles published in the press and is a legal industry commentator.