Workers Compensation And Repetitive Stress Injuries

Posted on: 15 June 2015

Repetitive stress injuries are caused by repeated motions, such as typing or assembly line work. Over time, the muscles, nerves, tendons and ligaments become inflamed and painful. When you injure these areas, you are actually causing tiny tears that are unable to heal because of the continuing use. If you are experiencing the symptoms of repetitive stress injuries, you may be entitled to workers compensation. Read on for more information on getting compensated for these injuries.

Conditions and Symptoms

Tendinitis occurs when the tendon becomes inflamed. The skin over the area will feel warm and may be reddened. The pain can be sudden or intermittent, and it can sometimes limit your range of motion.

Bursitis results in pain and tenderness at the affected area. Sometimes there is a feeling of crackling when bending the affected joint. Elbows and knees are frequently affected by bursitis.

Carpal tunnel syndrome affects your hand and fingers. The tunnel referred to in the name is a passageway of nerves in your wrist. Overuse and compression of this nerve causes pain, tingling, numbness, swelling, burning, itching and more. 

What to do

You should seek medical care without delay if you feel that you have a repetitive stress injury, since these conditions only worsen with time.  If you must pay for the medical care from your own pocket, keep all receipts so that you can add it to your workers comp claim.  If you have insurance and the injury gets approved as a workers comp injury, your insurance company will seek reimbursement from the workers compensation insurance company; you won't need to worry about that issue.

Getting Compensated

  • The key to getting compensated is proof that your injury was caused by your work. Your doctor must clearly indicate that your injuries were directly related to your work. From your initial doctor's meeting and onward, you must be very consistent and precise about your injury being work-related.
  • Don't delay in alerting your employer about your injuries. Fill out the accident report and submit it to your employer.
  • Follow through with all treatments.

If you feel that your workers compensation case is not receiving the attention you deserve, contact an attorney who will work to ensure that you get fairly compensated for your injuries. Repetitive motion injuries are often more complicated than other workers comp cases, so having an attorney on your side is vital to help you through this complicated issue.

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