Kentucky Workers’ Compensation for Carpal Tunnel or Repetitive Stress Injury

What happens if you develop carpal tunnel or repetitive stress injury on the job in Kentucky?  How can the experienced workers’ compensation lawyers at Jennings Law Offices help to protect your claim and ensure you receive the full and fair workers’ compensation you deserve?

Unfortunately, carpal tunnel syndrome and Repetitive Stress Injury (often referred to as an RSI) are some of the most common injuries suffered by workers and laborers across Kentucky and here in Louisville.  My name is Ched Jennings, and as a workers’ compensation attorney with more than 40 years of experience (as well as a former Commissioner of the Department of Workers’ Claims), I can tell you many of our clients had a tough time getting through the red tape at work to qualify for and receive the Kentucky workers’ compensation benefits they deserve.

The Proof is in the Numbers for Injuries on the Job and at Work in Kentucky

When it comes to injuries on the job or being injured at work in Kentucky, the proof is in the numbers.  It doesn’t matter if you work at Ford or another major manufacturer or plant, as a construction worker, in healthcare, or as an office worker.  Repetitive motion injuries are painful and make your work and everyday life harder and more challenging.  According to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics’ most recent study, “private industry employers reported 2.6 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses” (report dated Friday, November 8, 2024).  The report indicates that 2.4 people are injured on the job each year for every 100 full-time workers.

Our own Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Workers’ Claims report shows an average of 36,279 First Report of Injury (FROI) workers’ compensation claims have been filed annually over the past ten years.  Transportation and warehousing, manufacturing, healthcare, social assistance, the retail trade, and educational services are the leading industry categories for workers’ compensation claims here in Kentucky.

It may interest you to know the most injured body part for workers in Kentucky is a finger.  The second largest group of claims was associated with low back and lumbar injuries, and the third largest group involved knee injuries.  One of the most common diagnoses for on-the-job injuries in Kentucky is a carpal tunnel or repetitive stress injury.

Work-Related Repetitive Stress Injury or RSI and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or CTS

Did you know there are more than 4,000 tendons and 900 ligaments throughout the human body?  Your tendons help to connect your muscles to a bone, while your ligaments connect one bone to another.  Your wrists, hands, and fingers rely on these crucial tissues to function.  The same is true for your ankles and feet.

Most workstations are not specifically designed to minimize the impact of simple daily processes like typing and mouse work.  Imagine the impact of making thousands and thousands of movements every hour of every day at work.  It isn’t hard to see how these compound over the weeks, months, and years to create a carpal tunnel or repetitive stress injury.

Tingling and numbness are common to both types of injury.  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or CTS, is directly related to median nerve compression at or near the wrist.  CTS will often present numbness, tingling, or even burning in the thumb and fingers.  These symptoms are often worse at the end of a long day or at night.  CTS often results in a weakened grip, and you may notice that you tend to drop things more often.

Repetitive Stress Injury, or RSI, is also known to result in tingling and numbness.  RSI often presents as symptoms of throbbing, an aching type of pain not only in your hands and wrists but also up the arm to the elbow, shoulder, or neck.  You may experience consistent tightness, stiffness, or cramping in affected areas.

The Right to See Your Own Doctor

Did you know you have the right to see your own doctor when you have suffered an injury at work in Kentucky?  It is essential to have your own doctor when the injury involves carpal tunnel or repetitive stress.  We must be able to prove your injuries were “a direct result” of your work.  It is unfortunately quite common for the employer to try to guide the employee to the company’s doctor (or even insist). 

You need to know that the choice of your doctor and even your pharmacy is totally up to you.  You have the right to seek your own chiropractor or physical therapy.  Do you think you’ll receive more accurate information, diagnosis, and treatment from your OWN doctor or one the company insists that you see?  The choice, fortunately, is yours.  We can help.

If your employer, the company you work for, or their insurance company attempts to deny you the right to see your own doctor, tell them to put it in writing.  I can tell you this: you’ll never see it!  It’s not the law here in Kentucky. 

I invite you to a free initial consultation and interview.  It won’t cost you anything, and I can help answer all of your questions and protect your rightful workers’ compensation claim.  Just contact my office or call me personally at (502) 583-3882, and we’ll be happy to help.

We Must Prove CTS and RSI Claims for Kentucky Workers’ Compensation

The good news is that both Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or CST and Repetitive Stress Injury or RSI can qualify for workers’ compensation benefits here in Kentucky.  In order to protect your valid claim, we must help to prove:

• • Your CTS and/or RSI claim(s) were directly caused by work-related tasks and responsibilities

• • These injuries were a direct result of and within the “scope” of your employment

• • Medical testimony linking your condition(s) to your activities at work

• • Appropriate and timely notification was provided to your employer

There are many types of medical benefits, disability, and rehabilitation benefits available to Kentucky workers when they develop CTS or RSI while on the job or at work here in Louisville or across the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

If you’ve been injured on the job or at work in Kentucky and need of a proven, experienced workers’ compensation lawyer we invite you to:

Contact the Jennings Law Offices

or call today to schedule a free, confidential consultation at

(502) 583-3882

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Why Do You Need an Experienced Workers’ Compensation Attorney?

Here some of the reasons why you will need an experienced workers’ compensation attorney from our Founder, Ched Jennings, in this short video:

You can see more videos from Ched on many important topics associated with your case in our Video Library.

Re-openings – Were There Errors in Your Workers’ Compensation Settlement?

Kentucky allows for the reopening of a workers’ compensation claim.  Even after a settlement or Award of benefits by a Judge, the Jennings Law Offices can petition to have your case reopened due to fraud, a worsening of your condition of employment or errors in your case.

Why Should I Consult with the Lawyers at the Jennings Law Offices

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) recently estimated that workers’ compensation only covers about 21 percent of the lost wages and medical bills encountered by injured workers and their families.

Insurance companies try to deny part or all of your claim for any reason  The less the insurance company pays out, the more the insurance company gets to keep for profits.  While your employer is required to pay into the system or provide self-insured coverage, insurance companies  are motivated by profit – not by your welfare and financial well being.  The application must be completely and accurately filled out, and the medical descriptions must clearly support the benefits you wish to claim. The Jennings Law Offices provide free consultations on how to navigate the workers’ compensation system and the denial of your claim or medical treatment.

The Jennings Law Offices work to ensure all documentation is present and properly formatted, and that claim forms are submitted in a timely manner.  The Kentucky Department of Workers’ Claims and private insurance companies are well aware of our reputation and legal skills.  We have the reputation that we fight to protect the rights of our clients and that we will hold the insurance companies to the maximum benefits allowed under the workers compensation laws.

Contact an Experienced Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Attorney

We invite you to review the recommendations of our clients and contact the Jennings Law Offices or call (502) 583-3882 for a free consultation and case evaluation.

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