If CTS has set you back, we'll help you move forward
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, often a work-related condition, can lead to a compensation claim to support sufferers in managing the condition, and the financial consequences of reduced work capacity.
If you have been affected by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, we can help. If your injuries were caused by someone else's actions or negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
You can make a compensation claim with the help and support of a personal injury solicitor.
In this article
You are not alone
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a legally recognised industrial disease where the median nerve passing into the hand becomes compressed.
This condition causes pain, tingling, or weakness in the forearm and hand. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) figures show that 135 new cases of Carpal Tunnel were reported in 2019, with a total of 2,615 reported in the last decade.
If you are suffering from Carpal Tunnel and you believe your symptoms were caused by your working conditions or job role, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
If you are looking for information on CTS symptoms and treatment, see: carpal tunnel syndrome (nhs.uk).
What causes Carpal Tunnel at work?
In the workplace, almost 90% of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome cases involve male workers. The most common cause of work-related Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is regular, repetitive strain being placed on the wrists, hands, or fingers.
Use of power tools without protective gear and regular breaks are a common cause of CTS, in addition to other conditions like Vibration White Finger (VWF). CTS can also develop or worsen if you job involves typing for long periods without breaks or ergonomic equipment.
See also:
Vibration White Finger (VWF) claims
If you decide to make a Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 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 deserve.
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.
Do I have a carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) claim?
As a basic rule, you will be eligible to make an injury claim if you were injured:
- in the last 3 years,
- by someone elses actions or negligence, and
- they 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.
Claiming Carpal Tunnel Syndrome compensation from your employer
You can claim from the employer responsible for the work-related tasks, machinery or equipment, that caused your Carpal Tunnel Syndrome to develop.
Your solicitor will assess whether your employer has been in breach of health and safety regulations. If the employer is proven negligent, they may be held liable to pay compensation for your claimant's carpal tunnel syndrome injury.
What is the law relating to Carpal Tunnel 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 claim for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
It is important to begin your claim as soon as you are aware you have developed Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
This is because there is a statutory time limit on making personal injury claims. Your claim must be made within three years of the date you learned of your injury and the possible cause (date of knowledge).
Your solicitor will assess the value of your claim based on supporting evidence, including medical reports.
Compensation settlements can include amounts for:
- Medical treatment
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of amenity - personal adjustments to claimant's working, social and personal life
- Loss of current and future earnings
- Expenses related to on-going care, such as travel costs for hospital visits
Your settlement amount will relate to the severity of your injury, and the overall impact of the injury on your life and work.
How much compensation can I claim for a carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The amount of money you could claim for your injury will depend on:
- the seriousness of your injury, and
- any financial losses or costs you have incurred.
At the start of your claim, your solicitor will consider the many ways your injuries have affected your life. Your solicitor will take these considerations into account to calculate the correct compensation award.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
compensation calculator
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Updated December 2023
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General damages
General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA).
Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.
How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?
Special damages
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
Average Carpal Tunnel Syndrome general damages compensation
The following Carpal Tunnel Syndrome payouts refer to the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, Sixteenth Edition by the Judicial College.
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).
| Injury | Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wrist injury | |||
| Wrist injury | Minor | Wrist fracture recovering within one year | £3,210 to £4,310 |
| Wrist injury | Moderate | Colles wrist fracture | Around £6,750 |
| Wrist injury | Moderate | Taking around two years to heal completely | Up to £9,620 |
| Wrist injury | Serious | Causing permanent pain and stiffness | £11,450 to £22,270 |
| Wrist injury | Serious | Serious with significant permanent problems | £22,270 to £35,610 |
| Wrist injury | Severe | Severe with loss of function of the wrist | £43,290 to £54,420 |
Employers' liability claims claims
Work-related illness claims are also known as employers' liability claims. Click on the icons below for more information:
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No win, no fee carpal Tunnel Syndrome compensation claims
With no win, no fee, you can claim carpal Tunnel Syndrome compensation without financial risk. If your claim isn't successful, you pay nothing. If you win, you only pay a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation.
How we can help you with your injury claim
Your solicitor will fight for the best possible compensation settlement for you, and the highly-experienced panel of solicitors have an excellent track record of winning injury claims.
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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.