Since carpal tunnel is a common syndrome, some disability carriers will tell disability claimants that they should undergo surgery to alleviate their pain and resulting disability. While the majority of courts have ruled that a claimant is not required to submit for a surgery, disability insurance companies continue to argue that a claimant is not complying with the appropriate care provision if they do not submit for a carpal tunnel surgery. Most disability companies will require objective evidence of carpal tunnel syndrome which can be obtained through an EMG test, nerve conduction study, or ultrasound (which is a newer method for detecting carpal tunnel). Many claimants are diagnosed with carpal tunnel, but it is important to rule out other conditions which could cause similar symptoms. A survey of 400 American hand surgeons reported that each surgeon performed an average of 65 operations for carpal tunnel syndrome per year.
Our disability insurance lawyers have helped hundreds of disability claimants seek the short and long term disability benefits since 1979. We have worked with the some of the world’s best doctors that are experts in dealing with carpal tunnel. Insurance providers will use any excuse they can to deny your claim and save a few bucks in the process. We know the tricks they use, and we can help you to prove that your valid medical concern deserves the benefits that you paid for.
Please contact our disability insurance attorneys today and we can schedule a free consultation. We serve claimants throughout the country.
What to Do After a Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosis
If your doctor recently diagnosed you with carpal tunnel syndrome, or you suspect that you may have it, it is very important to record everything about your condition. Symptoms, amount of pain, any work dates you missed and all medical appointments could have an effect on your claim’s outcome.
It is also very important to consult a lawyer in the beginning stages. You have to fill out the disability application correctly, or your provider could deny benefits and prolong the care and relief that you need to recover. We have seen many denials based on someone checking the wrong box on the disability insurance application form.
Our Resolved Cases Featuring Carpal Tunnel
Our disability insurance lawyers have first-hand experience helping victims of carpal tunnel seek disability benefits. For example:
- Unum disability appeal results in settlement of Unum long term disability claim
- Resolved lawsuit against Unum on behalf of ophthalmologist suffering from bi-lateral carpal tunnel syndrome
- Chiropractor placed on claim despite an “any occupation” provision
- Podiatrist receives lump-sum buyout at pre-suit mediation with long-term disability insurer
Carpal Tunnel And Work Related Conditions
Carpal tunnel often results from repetitive or strained hand movements. Prolonged or repetitive pressure on certain parts of the hand, arm or wrist can result in numbness, pain and weakness. People who work with computers for long hours are at a high risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.
Other conditions can cause carpal tunnel syndrome, including rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, thyroid disorders, menopause, fluid retention due to pregnancy, or deposits of amyloid, an abnormal protein produced by cells in your bone marrow. If you perform any of the following tasks, you could develop carpal tunnel syndrome:
- Repetitive hand motions
- Awkward hand positions
- Strong gripping
- Mechanical stress on the palm
- Vibration
These symptoms can affect every aspect of daily life for a person suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome both physically and emotionally. Even simple tasks can be a painful and debilitating experience. Carpal tunnel pain can literally stop you from performing any task that requires use of your hands, including gripping or lifting objects, typing on a keyboard or any other manual activity. By seeking disability, you can earn the relief you need to rest and recover.
Resources
For more information about carpal tunnel, please consult:
Check this page for updated information about carpal tunnel syndrome disability insurance claims and new disability insurance regulations that could affect your benefits.
Recently Resolved Cases (11)
- Dell & Schaefer Successfully Appeals Metlife Denial of Benefits to Veteran
- MetLife agrees to overturn its denial of long term disability benefits for Florida Doctor after an ERISA appeal filed by Alex Palamara
- Dell & Schaefer Successfully Appeals Denial of Benefits to Fedex Employee
- Administrative Appeal by Dell & Schaefer Helps Disabled Man with Eye Disorders Get Approved for Short Term Disability Benefits with Hartford; Long Term Benefits Next
- Hartford Settles Disability Claim of 60 Year-Old Account Executive After Terminating LTD Benefits
- Hartford Settles Disability Claim of 60 Year-Old Account Executive After Terminating LTD Benefits
- Unum disability appeal results in settlement of Unum long term disability claim
- Lincoln Financial Reinstates Disability Benefits Following the Submission of an Appeal for an Attorney With Wrist Injuries
- Disability insurance Attorneys Dell & Schaefer resolve lawsuit against Unum on behalf of ophthalmologist suffering from bi-lateral carpal tunnel syndrome
- Chiropractor placed on claim despite an “any occupation” provision
- Podiatrist receives lump-sum buyout at pre-suit mediation with long-term disability insurer
Cases & Claim Tips (23)
- Can UNUM Deny LTD Benefits When Plaintiff Proves Eligibility by a Preponderance of the Evidence?
- Court Orders Sedgwick to Pay Disability Benefits to Claimant with Carpel Tunnel Syndrome Even though the Employer Offered Her Accommodations
- Michigan Court Remands Aetna to Reconsider Disability Benefit Denial
- Beware of Unfavorable Language Limiting the Maximum Pay Period of Neuromuscular, Musculoskeletal or Soft tissue Disorder in MetLife Group Long-term Disability Policies 2
- Court Rules That Walgreens Employee’s Long Term Disability Claim Lawsuit Shall Not Be Dismissed 2
- Court Throws Out Disability Benefit Denial Based on Aetna’s Internal Physicians’ Review 4
- Court Compels Metlife To Reconsider Its Decision To Terminate Claimant’s Long-Term Disability Benefits
- Kirk & Blum/CECO Environmental Employee Files Lawsuit Against Lincoln Financial Group For Wrongful Termination Of Long-Term Disability Benefits 2
- Wisconsin disability attorney and client sue Prudential Life Insurance for its “baseless” denial of ERISA disability benefits 2
- Court Of Appeals agrees with Texas Judge that UNUM did not abuse its discretion in denying Accenture LLP’s employee’s claim for disability benefits
- UNUM sued by Ohio disability attorney for failure to pay disabiity insurance benefits to ex-nurse restricted to using a cane or motorized scooter to get around 1
- Companion Life wrongfully relies on 22 minutes of video surveillance to deny disability insurance benefits
- Prudential ordered by Michigan Court to reconsider long term disability insurance denial
- Prudential Disability Claim Denial is Reversed For Relying on Paper Medical Review to Deny Benefits
- Hartford misleads disability insurance claimant’s doctor which results in benefit denial 2
- Are attorney fees payable in long term disability insurance cases governed by ERISA?
- Reliance Standard is ordered by Arizona Court to pay long-term disability benefits to technology consultant with fibromyalgia
- Disability insurance Attorneys Dell & Schaefer resolve lawsuit against Unum on behalf of ophthalmologist suffering from bi-lateral carpal tunnel syndrome
- Court reverses Prudential’s decision to deny long-term disability benefits to computer software engineer
- U.S. judge orders Broadspire to reinstate a former bank employee’s disability benefits
- California Federal Court rejects Prudential’s attempt to limit claim
- Can disability insurer force doctor to have surgery?
- Hartford’s refusal to provide entire claim file did not prejudice claimant’s ability to dispute her denial of disability benefits
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