By: Michael J. McConnell, Esq.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful but common work-related injury in New York. It is a condition involving the hands and wrists that can be caused by repetitive job duties that put pressure on the median nerve in the wrist.
Not only can carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) make it difficult to perform one’s job, it can also make it almost impossible to do countless other daily activities involving the hand and wrist.
For many, this is a devastating injury and workers might ask themselves: Can I sue my employer for work-related carpal tunnel?
The answer, in most cases at least in New York, will be no: you cannot generally sue your employer for carpal tunnel syndrome caused by your job. Instead, your exclusive remedy will usually be workers’ compensation, which is different than a lawsuit.
To learn more about why this is, continue reading below or sign up for a free consultation phone call with the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell today.
In New York, you generally will not be able to sue your employer for carpal tunnel syndrome.
For injured workers in New York, a diagnosis of carpal tunnel is unlikely to be a basis to sue their employer.
Indeed, for most work injuries, the workers’ compensation system is the exclusive remedy for work-related injuries in New York, including carpal tunnel syndrome.
While there are very limited exceptions where someone might be able to sue for a work injury (e.g., employer deliberately/intentionally caused the injury or doesn’t have workers’ compensation insurance), the nature of carpal tunnel syndrome is unlikely to fall within those exceptions.
One possible basis to sue someone (albeit not your employer) for work-related carpal tunnel might be if there was a third party who caused your injury.
For example, defective equipment that causes an injury can potentially justify a lawsuit against the maker of that equipment.
With that said, in the vast majority of situations the nature of a carpal tunnel injury caused by repetitive job duties or overuse is probably unlikely to provide a basis to sue a third party.
What can I get through workers’ compensation for carpal tunnel in New York?
If you have work-related carpal tunnel syndrome in New York, you may be eligible for the following through workers’ compensation:
- Temporary disability payments for lost wages
- Free medical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome
- Schedule Loss of Use Award if your CTS results in permanent impairment
Temporary disability payments can be up to two-thirds of your average weekly wage subject to minimum and maximum amounts determined by New York State.
The medical care for carpal tunnel syndrome can be covered fully by the insurance carrier, which can include doctor’s visits, physical therapy, and surgery.
Whether a Schedule Loss of Use Award (SLU) applies will depend on whether the CTS causes permanent impairment. An injured worker’s doctor will be able to advise if the injury is permanent around a year after the diagnosis or a year after surgery.
Conclusion
While most cases of work-related CTS in New York will not be a basis to sue an employer or anyone else, there are possible exceptions and workers with CTS are encouraged to consult with a local New York workers’ compensation lawyer about their case to ensure all avenues of potential recovery are considered.
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Page last updated 5/20/25.