Workers’ Compensation and Repetitive Stress Injuries

While some workplace injuries are the result of a single traumatic accident, many job-related injuries develop over time due to repetitive movements or postures. These injuries are often referred to as “repetitive motion” or “repetitive stress” injuries, and individuals who suffer these injuries may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. The Cincinnati workers’ compensation attorneys at Young, Reverman & Mazzei have decades of experience helping injured workers get the financial benefits they need and deserve. If you suffered a job-related injury and have questions about filing or appealing a workers’ compensation claim, please call us today at 513-854-8885 for a free consultation or contact us online to tell us your story now. Our lawyers are dedicated to protecting the rights of injured workers from the greater Cincinnati area, as well as those from eastern Indiana and northern Kentucky.

What Causes Repetitive Stress Injuries?

Repetitive actions such as typing, lifting, and bending can progressively damage tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Repetitive stress injuries can occur in various parts of the body, including the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, knees, and back. Common work-related motions that can contribute to repetitive stress injuries include but are not limited to:

• Assembly line actions
• Driving
• Grasping tools
• Massaging
• Packing
• Painting
• Stocking shelves
• Writing/typing

Because repetitive stress injuries are the result of cumulative trauma, symptoms may not show up for months or even years. In some cases, repetitive motion injuries can be debilitating and leave workers unable to earn a living due to extreme pain and restricted movement.

Common Workplace Repetitive Stress Injuries

Repetitive motion can lead to a wide range of injuries of varying severity. Common occupation-related repetitive stress injuries include:

• Arthritis
• Bursitis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Cervical injuries
• Compressed spinal cord discs
• Meniscus tears
• Myofascial pain syndrome
• Rotator cuff tears
• Tendinitis

Without treatment, these injuries can result in chronic pain, impaired functionality, and more severe injuries. In many cases, symptoms of repetitive stress injuries only become evident after damage has been done.

Professions With Increased Risk for Repetitive Stress Injuries

Professions that face an increased risk for repetitive stress injuries include:

• Cleaners
• Construction workers
• Cooks
• Farmers
• Firefighters
• Manufacturing laborers
• Mechanics
• Office workers
• Retail employees
• Transportation operators

Occupations that require workers to stay in a fixed position for a long stretch of time, such as prolonged sitting or standing, can also lead to repetitive stress injuries.

What to Do If You Have a Job-Related Repetitive Stress Injury

Workers who suffer repetitive stress injuries due to job-related tasks may be eligible for Workers’ Compensation benefits. But proving that these injuries are work-related can be difficult. If you suspect you have a repetitive stress injury, your first step should be a medical assessment. States have different rules regarding medical treatment for work-related injuries, and it’s important to follow your state’s workers’ compensation guidelines in order to maintain your eligibility for benefits. For example, Ohio workers who are injured on the job have the right to be treated by a doctor of their choice as long as that doctor is certified by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Workers must also notify their employers about repetitive stress injuries within two years after disability to the condition began or within six months of a physician’s diagnosis of the condition. Again, it’s critical to remember that each state has different rules and deadlines for filing workers’ compensation claims. If you have questions about filing a claim related to a repetitive stress injury, it’s a good idea to discuss your circumstances with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Repetitive Stress Injuries

Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance designed to help injured employees cover lost wages and medical costs. In the case of repetitive stress injuries, workers’ compensation benefits may pay for devices or treatments including:

• Braces, splints or supports
• Physical therapy
• Steroid treatment
• Surgery

To receive workers’ compensation benefits, you must be able to prove that your injury was related to your work. In the case of repetitive stress injuries, this can be challenging due to the ongoing, long-term nature of the injuries.

How a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer can Help

Because repetitive stress injury symptoms are not immediately apparent and because no single incident is tied to repetitive stress injuries, establishing the cause is not always simple. Our team of experienced workers’ compensation attorneys understands the type of evidence necessary to support these claims may be able to help. Our skilled workers’ compensation lawyers will consult with healthcare professionals who have expertise in dealing with repetitive stress injuries and help you gather the medical documentation to support your claim. If you were denied workers’ compensation benefits but have an otherwise valid repetitive stress injury, an attorney can help you appeal your benefits claim. Young, Reverman & Mazzei was founded in 1972 to protect the rights of injured workers from the Cincinnati area, including those in eastern Indiana and northern Kentucky. Our attorneys have extensive experience in Workers’ Compensation claims, and we offer free consultations to help you understand the process and your options. To learn how our lawyers can help you file a workers’ compensation application or appeal a denied claim, please call us today at 513-854-8885 or contact us online. We are proud to represent individuals from the greater Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, areas as well as those from the Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and Florence, Kentucky areas.