Ramos Law Firm Workers' Comp Blog » Carpal tunnel syndrome

Workers in the automotive industry at risk for more than just blunt trauma injuries

Bryan Ramos — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:02:09 +0000

As of January 3, 2012, Kia Motors Manufacturing in Georgia indicated that it finished its $100 million expansion to boost annual production. Automotive jobs are labor intensive and often dangerous. While the obvious, blunt traumatic injury occurring on the job should be covered under workers’ compensation, repetitive motion injuries are also covered under the workers’ compensation system. For example, carpal tunnel syndrome or rotator cuff tears are common injuries that autoworkers experience. While there is no one “accident” that caused the repetitive injury, the continuous use of the hands or arms may have had a cumulative effect precipitating the injury. These injuries could also affect the legs and feet. For example, instead of carpal tunnel syndrome, the injured worker may have “tarsal” tunnel syndrome.

Proving these occupational injuries can be challenging. In short, the workers’ compensation judges will rely on the medical evidence, the injured workers’ reports to the supervisor or the human resource departments, as well as the type of job the employee had. Furthermore, the workers’ comp judge will consider how long the employee was working that job. The longer the injured employee worked the repetitive motion job, the better chances he or she has in proving the claim.

If you have been hurt while working on an assembly line at Kia or any other Georgia employee and you would like a free consultation about your workers’ compensation rights, please contact the Ramos Law Firm.

Workplace injuries sustained by manufacturing employees

Bryan Ramos — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 05:00:43 +0000

Injuries often occur in the manufacturing settings. In December 2009, the U.S. manufacturing market expanded at the fastest pace in more than three years. The Institute for Supply Management’s factory index rose to 55.9, the highest level since April 2006. The stimulus-driven rebound in global demand is boosting orders that encourages producers to ramp up output and fuel a self-sustaining recovery. Workers often complain of hand and arm pain associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Others may experience traumatic injuries resulting in spinal herniated discs or tears in their rotator cuff.

At the Ramos Law Firm, our attorneys have represented these workers from its inception. Please call our office for your free consultation.

NCR Columbus Plant Opens on October 29, 2009

Bryan Ramos — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:56:58 +0000

On October 29, the NCR Corporation opened its 350,000 sq. ft. ATM manufacturing facility in Columbus, Georgia. Approximately 870 jobs will be created at the new Columbus facility over the next three years. It has been reported that 120 employees have already been hired and trained through Georgia’s Quick Start program. Not unlike other manufacturing facilities, these workers have sustained injuries arising out of, and in the course of, their employment. A common assembly line injury is carpal tunnel syndrome. Generally, any condition that exerts pressure on the median nerve at the wrist can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. Tendon inflammation resulting from repetitive work, such as uninterrupted arm and hand movements, can also cause carpal tunnel symptoms. Carpal tunnel syndrome from repetitive maneuvers has been referred to as one of the repetitive stress injuries.

At the Ramos Law Firm, our lawyers have handled hundreds of workers’ compensation injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive stress cases. For more information, please contact The Ramos Law Firm.