Work-Related Carpal Tunnel Lawyers
Riverside, California
Experienced Carpal Tunnel Attorneys in Riverside, CA
If repetitive work caused or worsened your carpal tunnel symptoms, and your employer or workers’ compensation provider refuses to cover the full extent of your injury, it’s time to get legal help.
Cumulative trauma injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome are fully recognized under California workers’ compensation law.
Carpal tunnel syndrome develops gradually through repeated tasks like typing, lifting, scanning, or using tools.
It’s the employer’s responsibility to reduce the risk of repetitive injuries through proper training, ergonomic tools, and regular breaks. When they ignore those obligations, they can be held liable for the damage their negligence causes.
Fontes Law Group builds strong, evidence-backed claims that show the connection between your job and your carpal tunnel diagnosis. We know how to overcome employer denials, delay tactics, and bad-faith evaluations.
If your carpal tunnel claim has been denied or delayed, it’s time to speak with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney who can protect your rights and secure the fair compensation you deserve.
Why Clients Choose Fontes Law Group
Experience. Compassion. Results.
We represent workers across California who are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive stress injuries.
- Deep experience in cumulative trauma and workers’ compensation cases
- All team members speak Spanish
- Offices in Santa Ana and Riverside
- No fees unless we win your case
- Trusted by California workers and their families
We know how frustrating it is when your injury is dismissed as minor or blamed on something outside of work. We take these cases seriously because we’ve seen how painful and limiting carpal tunnel can become, and how aggressively insurance companies fight to minimize it.
Meet Rosa Duarte
Experienced Workers’ Compensation Representative
Understanding Work-Related Carpal Tunnel Injury Claims in California
Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most frequently reported workplace injuries in California. It occurs when the median nerve, which runs through the carpal tunnel in the wrist, becomes compressed due to repetitive strain. This leads to symptoms like pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and eventually, loss of hand function.
In California, carpal tunnel syndrome is classified as a cumulative trauma injury—a condition that develops over time through repetitive motion, rather than a single accident. Under California Labor Code § 3208.1, these injuries are fully covered by the state’s workers’ compensation system.
Common Workplace Causes:
- Typing or data entry
- Assembly line or repetitive production tasks
- Operating vibrating tools or machinery
- Packaging, scanning, lifting, or sorting
- Cleaning, scrubbing, or gripping objects for long periods
Industries such as warehousing, retail, health care, construction, and office administration report some of the highest volumes of carpal tunnel cases due to repetitive hand use and ergonomic stress.
According to recent California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) data, carpal tunnel syndrome is consistently among the top 10 most reported occupational injuries involving cumulative trauma. Nationally, the NIOSH and CDC report that over 200,000 carpal tunnel surgeries are performed annually, making it the second most common work-related surgery in the United States.
In California alone, thousands of workers file claims each year for carpal tunnel-related injuries, many of which are denied or undervalued due to disputes over workplace causation or the severity of symptoms.
Signs You Need Legal Help
- Tingling or numbness in your fingers
- Pain in the wrist or forearm that worsens with activity
- Nighttime pain or waking up with numb hands
- Weak grip strength
- Delayed or denied care by your employer’s insurance
- Employer denies your injury is work-related
Too many workers are left with braces and cortisone shots, while being denied the surgery or long-term care they actually need. That’s not just frustrating. It’s unfair. That’s when we step in.
Work-Related Injury Timeline
- Diagnosis and report: 1 to 3 months
- Claim response: 60 to 90 days
- Negotiation or hearing: 4 to 6 months or longer
Employer Duties in California and How They Fail
Your employer is legally required to take reasonable steps to prevent repetitive motion injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome. This includes providing ergonomic workstations or protective equipment, rotating tasks or allowing regular rest breaks, responding promptly to reports of wrist pain or weakness, and properly filing injury reports while honoring any medical restrictions.
When employers fail to meet these obligations, the consequences can be serious. Common violations include dismissing or ignoring symptoms, blaming the injury on age or personal activities, denying medically necessary treatment, retaliating against injured workers, or failing to carry valid workers’ compensation insurance. These actions are not just negligent; they may be grounds for legal action.
At Fontes Law Group, we hold employers accountable when they ignore their legal duties and put your health at risk.
Proving a Stress Claim in California
To win a carpal tunnel workers’ compensation claim, we must show:
- You are a qualifying employee
- Your work duties contributed significantly to your condition
- You reported your symptoms within the legal deadline
- A medical expert confirmed a diagnosis consistent with your work duties
We anticipate pushback and build your case with the evidence to overcome it.
What Compensation Can Cover in Carpal Tunnel
A successful carpal tunnel workers’ compensation claim may include several types of benefits, depending on the severity and long-term impact of your injury:
Medical Coverage
- Physical therapy to restore strength, flexibility, and function in the hand and wrist.
- EMG testing and other diagnostics to confirm nerve damage and support your claim.
- Steroid injections or surgery if conservative treatment fails to relieve symptoms.
- Braces and ergonomic devices to reduce strain and support healing during and after work.
Wage Loss & Disability
- Temporary disability benefits to replace lost wages while you are unable to work.
- Permanent disability payments if your condition prevents you from returning to your previous job or limits your work capacity long term.
Future Impact
- Vocational retraining or job placement assistance if you cannot return to your former role.
- Lump-sum settlements to account for lasting limitations, future medical needs, or job changes caused by your injury.
While pain and suffering is not covered under California’s workers’ compensation system, if a third party such as a contractor, equipment manufacturer, or another negligent party contributed to your carpal tunnel injury, we may be able to file a separate personal injury claim for additional compensation.
FAQs About Carpal Tunnel Workers’ Comp Claims
Q: Can carpal tunnel lead to permanent disability?
Yes. If left untreated or if surgery is unsuccessful, carpal tunnel syndrome can result in permanent limitations that qualify you for long-term benefits.
Q: Will I need surgery to qualify for a claim?
Not necessarily. Many valid claims involve non-surgical treatment like physical therapy or braces. The key factor is whether the condition was caused or worsened by your work.
Q: What benefits am I entitled to if I can’t return to my old job?
You may be eligible for vocational retraining and Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits (SJDB), along with ongoing disability payments or a lump-sum settlement.
Q: Can I sue my employer for carpal tunnel?
No. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, which means you usually can’t sue your employer. However, if a third party contributed to your injury, we may pursue a separate personal injury claim.
Q: What if I had carpal tunnel before starting this job?
A pre-existing condition does not automatically disqualify you. If your current job aggravated or accelerated the condition, you may still have a valid claim.
Helpful Resources for California Residents
California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC)
California Department of Industrial Relations
California Employment Development Department (EDD)
Cal/OSHA Ergonomic Guidelines
Start Your Path to Recovery Today
Carpal tunnel syndrome caused by your job isn’t something you should just work through. If your employer or insurance carrier won’t take it seriously, we will.
Contact Fontes Law Group today for a free consultation and let us help you secure the treatment, support, and compensation you’re entitled to under California law.
Request a free case review today.