Carpal Tunnel Workers Compensation Queensland

Queensland’s WorkCover provides compensation schemes for employees if they sustain an injury that arises out of, or in course of their employment. This includes physical injury, musculoskeletal disorders, or psychological conditions contributed by the nature of employment.

In order to be entitled to a workplace carpal tunnel claim in Queensland, the injury needs to happen in QLD or if it happens outside of the state, the principal place of
Employment should be QLD.

Carpal tunnel syndrome refers to the compression of the median nerve when it passes through the wrist. This nerve carries the sense of touch to the thumb and the next two fingers and controls the movement of the hand muscles. When this gets affected it causes sharp and continuous pain in the arm and wrist, thus disabling full movement of the wrist and arm.

It is caused by multiple factors, especially repetitive motion-based actions and trauma in activities such as:

• Assembly line work
• Data entry or typing
• Computer-based desk jobs
• Hand work such as sewing, painting or carpentry

The workers’ compensation is a statutory insurance scheme that pays the wages of a
and medical expenses of employees who have been injured in the workplace or during their employment. WorkCover Queensland is the general insurer responsible for making decisions on claims, although many large organisations have other insurance schemes.

The QLD Workers’ Compensation claims are decided on a “no fault” basis i.e. the compensation is paid to the injured regardless of who was at fault for causing the injury, unless it was self-inflicted. The only certainty to get compensated is that the employment should be “a significant contributing factor to the injury”.

Under this scheme you can also lodge a claim for injuries suffered while travelling to work or while receiving medical treatment for a work-based injury.

There are limits to this compensation scheme, your claims are limited to medical and rehabilitation costs and wage benefits until your injury is stable. Unless the injuries are very serious, there is also a limited period till which you can claim wage benefits and medical costs.

If you are worker in Queensland the best way to approach your carpal tunnel claim is to:

1. Notify your employer as soon as the pain starts or after a medical appointment
2. Get a medical practitioner or GP to give you a workers’ compensation medical certificate
3. Lodge a claim with WorkCover Queensland though phone or the website
4. Once this claim is made the team will contact you and your employer within three days of the claim. WorkCover might also get you assessed by their own professional to evaluate the percentage of impairment. This helps WorkCover calculate the lump sum for the compensation and other specific details of your case.

It is important to report your injury to your employer soon after the pain starts or the injury takes place. In Queensland, a carpal tunnel claim which primarily comes under a statutory claim should be lodged within 6 months after the entitlement of the compensation arises.

This time limit might be waived off by WorkCover under specific circumstances.

You can also apply for carpal tunnel claims with WorkCover if you have left the address of the employer or the company has gone into liquidation.

LHD Queensland are compensation specialists. We have over 30 years of experience dealing with personal injury claims and workplace related legal cases. We offer personalised services based on circumstances and case requirements. All our carpal tunnel claims are baked on our ‘No Win No Fee’ guarantee. Yes, if we do not succeed in giving you a positive legal outcome, we do not charge you for our service.

In addition, our Queensland team is a group of dedicated lawyers aimed at giving you quality legal assistance and support. We are proud owners of a technologically advanced methodology of case tracking – ‘LHD Lawyers Case Tracker’. This is an innovative mobile application which enables you to track your carpal tunnel compensation claim.

If you are facing a work-based carpal tunnel injury, contact us at (07) 3102 7800 to enquire about your carpal tunnel workcover in Queensland.