Residents who hold jobs that mostly involve deskwork may feel as though there is no way they could possibly suffer from a work-related injury. After all, talk of job-related incidents often conjure up thoughts of horrific, brutal accidents in plants, construction zones, or similarly hazardous platforms.
But even as a secretary, you could risk being injured via wear and tear because of the constant use of your hands and fingers. WebMD discusses one of the biggest potential risks you face to your physical health, known as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). This is a disorder caused by pressure on the median nerve, which goes through the arm and terminates in the hand. CTS can cause symptoms such as weakness in the hand, tingling, burning sensations, or numbness.
CTS is not a syndrome to take lightly. While some people may brush it off, it can have a huge impact on your life, especially if you utilize your hands on a daily basis. It can make it hard or even impossible to do things like type, hold a pencil, or perform tasks that require fine motor skills.
CTS is also not a syndrome that “resolves on its own”. In fact, if you have untreated CTS and continue performing the tasks that caused it, you are bound to worsen it. Your CTS may get to the point where it requires corrective surgery to make it better.
Sometimes, CTS is caused simply due to the workload or type of job you have compared to the breaks you get. If you believe your CTS could have been prevented if your work situation was different, you may want to seek an attorney to discuss the matter further.
