A Repetitive Stress Injury Lawyer Can Help You Recover Compensation For A Workplace Injury

What Causes Repetitive Stress Injury? 

This type of injury is caused by repetitive movements, which can damage the underlying tissue in your neck, shoulders, forearms, or hands. Unlike other forms of workplace injury, repetitive stress injuries occur over an extended period of time and are often more advanced by the time you notice symptoms. While anyone can develop an injury, there are certain factors that put you at greater risk, including:

• Heavy computer use 
• Heavy lifting
• Barcode scanning
• Repeated motion such as cutting or slicing
• Participation in an assembly line
• Poor posture 
• Poor technique
• Fast, repetitive motions 
• Improper training 

Repetitive motions can create microscopic tears in underlying tissue and cause the muscles to contract, decreasing your mobility and limiting your ability to work. Sometimes, employees refrain from asking for better accommodations, which can cause the condition to worsen. If left untreated, repetitive stress injury could require surgical intervention or other costly treatments. 

Repetitive motions can create microscopic tears in underlying tissue and cause the muscles to contract, decreasing your mobility and limiting your ability to work. 

Symptoms of Repetitive Stress Injury

These injuries result in painful symptoms that can impact your daily routine. Symptoms of an onset repetitive stress injury include: 

• Numbness 
• Tingling 
• Sensitivity 
• Burning
• Tremors
• Aching
• Shooting pains
• Weakness 
• Lack of coordination
• Massaging yourself frequently 
• Chronically cold hands 

Symptoms can manifest themselves in different areas of the body depending on the nature of your work, but are typically associated with: 

• Carpal tunnel syndrome 
• Neck injury 
• Back injury 
• Eye strain 
• Spinal asymmetry 
• Tendinitis 
• Rotator cuff injury 
• Epicondylitis 
• Trigger finger 
• Bursitis

Some of these conditions require intensive physical therapy or even surgery, which can result in medical expenses and loss of wages.

Why You Should Hire a Lawyer 

According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), musculoskeletal disorders account for 33 percent of all workplace related injuries. Unfortunately, repeated stress injury is not considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, meaning there are inconsistencies about whether your employer can dismiss you based on your inability to perform your assigned tasks. In spite of these discrepancies, you are entitled by law to a safe workplace. A lawyer can help you file the appropriate compensation claims, which can protect you and other employees from potentially hazardous working conditions.

If you have suffered a repetitive stress injury as a result of work conditions, do not simply accept that your condition is "part of the job." A lawyer from Rubin & Machado, can fight tirelessly on your behalf to recover compensation. We can ensure you file the appropriate worker's compensation documentation, which should be submitted at the onset of injury to avoid negligence on your part. If your employer refuses to support your worker's compensation claim, a lawyer can help you build a lawsuit with the appropriate government agency or against the company itself. 

A lawyer can also:

• Recover medical expenses
• Recover lost income as a result of your injury
• Collect proper documentation that supports your claim
• Prove the injury was acquired on the job 
• Provide evidence showing your injury was a cause of your specifically assigned tasks 

Our team can review all evidence to build a strong case on your behalf.

Schedule a Consultation 

Our legal team at Rubin & Machado can help you collect compensation for medical expenses and other damages acquired in the workplace. To schedule a complimentary review of your case, call us at (312) 327-2840 or contact us online.