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Does Federal Workers’ Compensation Cover Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy causes weakness, numbness, and pain, and usually occurs in the hands and feet, though it can affect other areas of the body as well. But does federal workers’ compensation cover it?

Your peripheral nervous system is very important—it relays information between your central nervous system, which consists of your brain and spinal cord, and the rest of your body.

While not all causes of peripheral neuropathy stem from injuries that fall under workers’ compensation coverage, many do. Traumatic injury, for instance, can lead to permanent damage to your peripheral nervous system. If you’re a federal employee and you think that a work injury has caused your peripheral neuropathy, it’s important to talk to a doctor as soon as possible.

Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy that you experience depend on a number of factors. For instance, the nerves that are affected and the type of injury can affect how it presents in a given federal workers’ compensation case. However, the following symptoms are common:

• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet or other affected areas ● Sensitivity
• Coordination problems
• Weakness
• Pain

If you experience any of the above symptoms and think that a work injury is the cause, seek professional medical help as soon as you can. Waiting too long can lead to permanent damage.