Is Your Repetitive Stress Injury Work Related?

Repetitive Stress Injury

The function of your job should not result in damage to your body. Yet, every day, many workers put themselves at risk for developing an injury based purely on performing their job. A repetitive stress or strain injury is not something that happens due to an accident. Instead, it develops slowly and may cause more damage because the signs and symptoms may not always present clearly. Discover what this type of injury is and how workers’ compensation should deal with it.

What Are Repetitive Strain Injuries?

A repetitive stress injury occurs when you perform the same muscle movement multiple times a day. Over time, the areas of the body that you use to do these tasks start to become inflamed and break down. You begin to feel pain when this occurs. If you do not take corrective action, such as changing body positioning or resting the body part, the pain will likely intensify. Eventually, you may do permanent damage that requires medical intervention and surgery to correct.

Common Examples of Workplace Repetitive Stress Injuries

The strain on ligaments, tendons, and muscles can occur in any job that requires you to conduct the same movements over the day. Learn more about common repetitive strain injuries workers sustain.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The most common repetitive injury workers deal with is carpal tunnel syndrome. People whose profession requires extensive use of the wrists, such as typing or sewing, often find themselves dealing with the injury to some degree. The damage occurs when pressure is repeatedly exerted on the median nerve or the ligaments that surround it. This nerve runs through the wrist, and when it becomes impacted by the inflammation of surrounding tissue, it causes pain in the wrist, hands, and fingers. Symptoms of carpal tunnel also include loss of sensation in the fingers, tingling through the hand, and a noticeable decrease in grip strength. Professions most affected include hairdressers, cashiers, typists, sewists, and factory workers.

Bursitis

Joint pain can be incredibly debilitating, and bursitis is often a culprit. Bursitis occurs when the fluid-filled sacs that cushion your joints—called bursae—become inflamed, creating painful pressure on the joint. This condition commonly affects the hips and shoulders, though it can also occur in the knees or heels. Jobs that involve repetitive pressure on specific joints, like those of cooks, landscapers, and roofers, can increase the risk of developing bursitis. For anyone whose work involves repetitive joint strain, bursitis is an occupational hazard to be mindful of.

Tennis elbow

Athletes, particularly those engaged in repetitive, high-impact activities, are prone to stress injuries that build up over time. Tennis players, for instance, often develop “tennis elbow,” a painful condition caused by straining the nerve running down the elbow. This injury can lead to swelling, limited arm mobility, and ongoing pain. But it’s not just athletes who face this risk—professionals in labor-intensive jobs, like plumbers, butchers, and painters, also put repeated strain on their elbows, making them just as vulnerable to developing this condition.

How Does the Workers’ Compensation Process Work?

Companies mandated by state law to provide workers’ compensation coverage have procedures in place to handle work-related injuries and illnesses. If you realize your pain stems from performing your regular job duties, you’re entitled to file a claim for benefits.

Seek Medical Help

The first step in the workers’ compensation claims process is receiving a medical report documenting the injury and a recommended course of action to rectify it. In the case of a repetitive strain injury, likely, you did not think your job was the cause. The doctor you visit should ask you qualifying questions, which should include questions about the type of work you do. If the diagnosis of a repetitive stress injury relates to your job, the doctor will notate it in the report.

File a First Report of Injury for your Repetitive Stress Injury

Once you receive the diagnosis, take it to your supervisor or human resources representative. There, you will make a first report of injury. You will present the medical report and give an oral account of your symptoms and the timeline of onset. The company rep will then prepare a first report of injury and transmit it along with the doctor’s findings to the workers’ comp carrier.

Go Through the Investigation

When a workers’ compensation carrier receives a new report of injury, it investigates the claim. When there is a work accident that causes the damage, the investigation may go quicker. A repetitive injury may require more time. Throughout, you may be asked to attend additional medical screenings and tests as indicated. You should be able to choose the doctor, but you may have to attend something called an independent medical evaluation. This doctor prepares an impartial report based on the medical evidence you present and what is discovered during the examination. This report may either indicate your injury is work-related or that there needs to be further testing.

Receive Benefits From the Insurer

The insurer should pay for your medical visits and treatment, even while the investigation is ongoing. If your claim is accepted, the carrier should also begin paying benefits, such as:

  • Disability payments, if unable to work
  • Past wages lost due to the injury
  • Physical therapy
  • Prescription medication
  • Future medical treatment

A repetitive strain injury takes time to heal correctly. In some instances, surgery is required. You must get the compensation you deserve for your injury and not settle for less.

Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer

An attorney well-versed in how to handle workers’ compensation claims of this nature is a critical ally. They understand how the workers’ compensation process works and how the carrier may try to get you to settle your claim instead of paying all the benefits you need. Having a lawyer represent your best interests can make all the difference in this type of case.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!

About the Author

Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.

With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations. Contact Aaron at [email protected] for article suggestions, collaborations, or inquiries.

State-Specific Workers’ Compensation Articles

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

Washington, DC

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

We've connected over FIVE MILLION requests since 2001

How It All Works

Call us or answer the questions on this site. Your category, location, and additional information will help us connect you to a legal professional and we’ll send you the results instantly.

Which Areas of Law?

We have attorneys in over 20 legal categories to choose from.

How Much Does This Cost?

We don’t charge you to be connected. Some legal categories require upfront fees while others do not. The legal professional will determine this with you before you commit to anything.