ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, March 8, 1996 TAG: 9603080069
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
Claudia Jemmott, her wrists covered by black braces, watched from the back of the chamber as the House of Delegates passed a bill to let carpal tunnel syndrome patients draw workers compensation.
But even if the Senate and Gov. George Allen approve the bill, it probably will be too late for Jemmott, who said she is unemployed and on the verge of losing her house because she has carpal tunnel syndrome.
Jemmott is one of three women who were denied benefits last week when the Virginia Supreme Court ruled that ``cumulative trauma'' injuries are not covered by the state's workers compensation law.
The ruling prompted House Majority Leader Richard Cranwell of Vinton to submit emergency legislation defining carpal tunnel syndrome and hearing loss as occupational diseases covered by workers compensation.
With little debate, the House passed the bill Thursday, 85-7.
Cranwell later told Jemmott he would try to amend the bill in the Senate to provide retroactive relief, but he was not optimistic because of possible constitutional problems.
Jemmott, 47, was working as a proofreader for a Richmond advertising firm when she first noticed a burning sensation in her right thumb. It gradually moved into her wrists and arms.
``I realized it was a real problem when I couldn't turn off the faucets in the house,'' Jemmott said in an interview.
In August 1992, she was diagnosed as suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome - a condition caused by repetitive motion and characterized by pain or numbness in the hands, wrists and arms. She became unable to work and was awarded workers compensation, but never collected because the case was appealed.
Jemmott said she is receiving physical therapy as an indigent patient. Even household chores are difficult, she said.
``I can't do a full set of dishes,'' she said. ``It affects the back, the neck, everything.''
Despite the crippling nature of the ailment, she is still actively seeking employment. She said it is difficult to find work she can handle because so many jobs require the use of a computer keyboard.
A Senate committee is expected to consider Cranwell's bill today.
The assembly passed similar legislation last year, but Allen vetoed it, saying he was concerned that it would increase employers' costs and hurt Virginia's competitive position in industrial recruitment.
Allen spokesman David Botkins said Thursday the governor has not decided what action he will take if Cranwell's bill passes.
LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1996by CNB