Can You Get Workers’ Compensation for Cubital Tunnel Syndrome?

Does your job have a sign that lets everyone know the last time there was a “lost time accident?”

These signs are meant to be motivational, to inspire workers to put safety first. If an incident reduces the sign number back to zero, it is typically an accident that requires immediate medical attention. However, not every workplace injury happens instantaneously.

Cubital tunnel syndrome is a prime example of one such injury.  

Can you get workers’ compensation for cubital tunnel syndrome? Before you file a workers’ compensation claim for cubital tunnel syndrome, it will help to know what causes that condition and how that might relate to your job.   

Understanding Cubital Tunnel Syndrome 

Johns Hopkins Medicine describes cubital tunnel syndrome in the following way:  

“Cubital tunnel syndrome happens when the ulnar nerve, which passes through the cubital tunnel (a tunnel of muscle, ligament, and bone) on the inside of the elbow, becomes inflamed, swollen, and irritated.”  

The ulnar nerve is often referred to as your “funny bone.” If you’ve ever struck your elbow, you’ll experience the kind of pain flair-up that is associated with cubital tunnel syndrome. However, when cubital tunnel syndrome happens in the workplace, it is often due to repetitive stress. Here are some of the ways that cubital tunnel syndrome can show up: 

Pressure  

If you lean continuously on your elbow, like on an armrest in a chair, car, or truck on long-distance drivers, that pressure can compress the nerve.  

Stretching  

Bending your elbow for long periods of time can stretch the ulnar nerve. This can also happen when you’re sleeping.  

Repetitive Movement  

When you repetitively move back and forth over the bony protrusion of your elbow, you could irritate the nerve. That can cause the soft tissue over the nerve to thicken. That prevents the nerve from working properly. 

Treating Cubital Tunnel Syndrome 

Cubital tunnel syndrome is diagnosed with a nerve conduction test or electromyogram that checks muscle and nerve function. Unfortunately, the most effective form of treatment is to stop the activity that is causing the problem. That could mean you might not be able to work at your current job. 

There are other treatment options, including the following:  

• A splint or foam elbow brace worn at night to limit movement and reduce irritation 

• Using an elbow pad  

• Anti-inflammatory medicines  

• Nerve gliding exercises 

Surgery is also an option in severe cases. However, that could also mean not being able to return to the same job to avoid re-injury.  

Types of Jobs  

Cubital tunnel syndrome often manifests in jobs that involve repetitive stress or motion. The following is a list of some of the types of jobs where this condition can show up in a worker:  

• Office work 

• Assembly line work 

• Manufacturing and factory work 

• Sewing or upholstering 

• Janitorial cleaning 

• Meatpacking and processing 

• Mechanical repair work 

• Construction workers and carpenters 

• Painters  

• Cashiers who scan   

• Truck drivers and forklift drivers 

Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim 

Cubital tunnel syndrome can be considered an occupational disease. The Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission describes occupational diseases as “an ailment, disorder, or illness, which is the expected result of working under conditions naturally inherent in the employment and is usually slow and insidious in its approach.” 

If you sustained this injury while on the job, you could be entitled to file a claim with your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier. If approved, you could be entitled to the following benefits: 

• Wage Loss Benefits (paid in weekly installments or in lump-sum settlements) 

• Payment of medical expenses 

• Specific loss benefits  

Those benefits would be based on your injury’s severity and inability to work. Your wage benefits would be considered if you can’t return to work or can only work in a limited capacity. If that means a reduction in your wages, the workers’ compensation policy could pay the difference. How long those payments will continue also depends on the severity of your injury.  

You can also use Maryland’s workers’ compensation for retraining and occupational therapies. That could help you find a different type of job that wouldn’t aggravate your injury.  

Getting the Maximum Workers’ Compensation Benefits 

In order for you to receive the maximum workers’ compensation, you need to speak with the team at Belsky & Horowitz, LLC. We have helped many clients with their repetitive stress injury claims. We can provide information to help ensure you are filing the initial claim correctly and can provide if the claim is denied.  

If you’ve been diagnosed with cubital tunnel syndrome and haven’t filed a claim yet, you can set up a free case evaluation with our office. We can assess your records and provide you with information about the best way forward.

Call to schedule today.