Your fingers tingle as you type another report, or you feel pain each time you carry 2x4s across the construction site. After weeks of discomfort, a medical diagnosis confirms thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS)—a condition directly connected to your daily work activities.
TOS often develops gradually through repetitive motions and poor workplace ergonomics, which sometimes makes it challenging to prove that job-related tasks caused it. However, many people frequently deal with this pain without realizing their condition qualifies for workers' compensation. At Monast Law Office, we help injured workers throughout Ohio understand their rights when workplace conditions lead to this painful nerve compression injury.
What Is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?
TOS occurs when blood vessels or nerves between your neck and chest—an area known as the thoracic outlet—become compressed. Common symptoms include:
- Arm and hand pain. This typically worsens during computer use or when holding your arms up for extended periods. This discomfort can significantly limit your ability to perform essential job functions.
- Numbness or tingling. These sensations in your fingers and hands make precise tasks like typing or filing documents increasingly difficult. These sensations often intensify throughout the workday as nerve compression persists.
- Weakened grip strength. This symptom may cause you to drop objects unexpectedly, creating potential workplace hazards and reducing your overall productivity.
Unfortunately, without prompt and proper treatment, TOS leads to even more complicated health issues, including chronic arm swelling, permanent nerve damage, and pulmonary embolism.
What Workplace Activities Cause Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?
Office environments foster ideal conditions for developing thoracic outlet syndrome due to several work-related factors:
- Prolonged static postures force workers to maintain unnatural positions throughout the workday. Sustained positioning causes muscles to tighten around the thoracic outlet, compressing vital nerves and blood vessels.
- Repetitive computer work entails constant mouse clicking and keyboard typing, which strain the same muscle groups. Over time, these repetitive movements can lead to inflammation and nerve compression.
- Poor workstation ergonomics result from improperly positioned monitors, keyboards, and chairs, which force awkward neck and shoulder positions, leading to structural imbalances.
Other occupations also carry a heightened risk for developing TOS, such as:
- Manufacturing workers who repeatedly lift heavy objects above shoulder level place significant strain on the thoracic outlet structures.
- Warehouse employees who carry heavy loads or consistently reach overhead to access inventory often develop symptoms.
- Construction workers using vibrating tools while maintaining awkward shoulder positions encounter multiple injury factors that can exacerbate nerve compression.
- Health care professionals who transfer patients or maintain static positions during lengthy procedures are particularly vulnerable to TOS.
Documenting TOS for Workers' Compensation
We recommend scheduling a medical evaluation immediately upon experiencing symptoms, as early diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment records establish a crucial timeline connecting your condition to workplace activities. These initial medical reports should detail your specific symptoms, their onset in relation to job tasks, and any patterns you've noticed regarding when symptoms worsen or improve based on your daily schedule.
To further connect your condition to specific job duties, we also assist you in developing a comprehensive work history that outlines regular activities, workstation setup, and recent changes to job responsibilities. If necessary, we may also suggest that you seek a professional ergonomic assessment that objectively identifies risk factors in your workplace.
Possible Ohio Workers' Compensation Benefits for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Our client, Dawn, struggled with various repetitive stress motion injuries. Working at a desk 6 to 7 days a week, she developed bilateral upper extremity pain. Because of TOS, she needed to have a rib removed. She also underwent two carpal tunnel syndrome surgeries and experienced numerous other complications.
Columbus workers’ comp lawyer Jim Monast will assist you in pursuing benefits for TOS to alleviate your suffering. Your claim may include:
- Medical treatment coverage. This benefit ensures that all necessary care for your condition is provided without out-of-pocket expenses. It includes visits to specialists, physical therapy, and potential surgical interventions to address nerve compression.
- Temporary total disability benefits (TT). These provide income replacement when thoracic outlet syndrome prevents you from working during recovery. Typically, TT benefits equal approximately two-thirds of your pre-injury wages, supporting you and your family.
- Vocational rehabilitation services. If TOS prevents you from returning to your previous job duties, you might be eligible to transition to a new position. These services may include retraining programs and job placement assistance tailored to your physical limitations.
For Dawn, we secured permanent total disability benefits to ensure she would have access to medical treatment throughout her lifetime and provide her with some financial stability.
Prevention Strategies for Workplace TOS
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, right? So do what you can to avoid TOS by doing the following:
- Position your monitor at eye level and your keyboard at elbow height to ensure proper alignment. Make sure your chair offers adequate support to help you maintain a balanced posture throughout your workday.
- Stand and stretch every 30 minutes to break up static positioning that compresses the thoracic outlet. Perform gentle neck and shoulder rolls to relieve tension in sensitive areas before pain develops.
- Target muscles that support proper posture to maintain thoracic outlet alignment. Stretch tight chest muscles that pull the shoulders forward into positions that compress nerves and blood vessels.
But if you’re still experiencing symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome that may be related to your work activities, don't wait until the condition worsens—call us today. Monast Law Office has successfully represented workers from various industries whose occupational duties caused nerve compression injuries.
