Preventing Carpal Tunnel in Computer-Based Jobs

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a serious condition that has become alarmingly common in jobs that require an employee to operate a computer for several hours a day. The syndrome occurs when a person completes repetitive motions, causing the carpal tunnel (the part of the wrist that protects the median nerve) to feel swollen, tingly or painful. This can occur in your fingers, hands or wrists at any given time.

If you sustain this injury on the job, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits from your employer. Workers’ compensation can help pay for lost wages due to missed work, medical bills or other disability benefits. To learn more about the benefits you could be entitled to, contact the New Jersey workers’ compensation lawyers of Levinson Axelrod, P.A. at 1-888-389-COMP today.

Though your employer should take steps to help prevent this kind of incident from occurring, there are a few steps you can take to help your hand and wrist health, as well.

Tips to Prevent Carpal Tunnel

Some basic tips that can help you reduce your chances of developing carpal tunnel syndrome while using a computer include:

• Try to not bend, twist or extend your hand for long periods of time, if you are doing the same task over and over.
• Make sure that you are appropriately spaced from your keyboard and not having to extend your arms too much to reach or typing too closely.
• Use a wrist pad instead of placing your wrists on hard surfaces all day.
• Switch hands while performing repetitive tasks if you are able to.
• Take regular breaks.
• Try to vary your sitting/standing position throughout the day.
• Try not to flex your wrists up to type.

Your employer must provide a safe atmosphere in which employees are free from harm or injury. However, if you are injured on the job, workers’ compensation benefits exist to help you recover and maintain your normal way of life.

Contact Us

To ensure that you receive all of the financial compensation to which you are owed, consult with an experienced attorney at your earliest convenience. If you would like to learn more about carpal tunnel syndrome and workers’ compensation, contact the New Jersey workers’ compensation attorneys of Levinson Axelrod, P.A. at 1-888-389-COMP.