A repetitive stress injury is, as its name implies, an injury that develops through repetitive actions. There are all kinds of repetitive stress injuries and many potential causes of them, but they are especially common in certain types of jobs and career fields. If you develop your injury as a result of your work, are you eligible for benefits? A Queens workers comp attorney from our firm may be able to help you determine that.
What Are Common Symptoms of a Repetitive Stress Injury?
A repetitive stress injury is often painful, but that may not be the only sensation you experience. These types of injuries can cause:
- Stiffness
- Weakness
- Tingling or a pins-and-needles sensation
- Swelling
- Muscle cramps
- Sensitivity to cold and heat
These feelings can be persistent and can make it quite difficult to handle seemingly simple tasks.
What Can Lead to a Repetitive Stress Injury?
As its name suggests, these injuries are caused by repetitive tasks. Typing at a computer all day, using power tools, or working on an assembly line are common causes, but any repetitive work can end up causing an injury. Untreated, these injuries can get worse and more complicated, and they can end up leading to other health issues.
What Body Parts Are Likely to Be Affected by a Repetitive Stress Injury?
Certain joints and body parts are more prone to developing repetitive stress injuries than others. You have to be especially careful about your:
- Elbows
- Hands and fingers
- Wrists and forearms
- Knees
- Shoulders
Some of these injuries, like trigger finger and tennis elbow, even mention the name of the body part. You’re probably also familiar with more common ailments like tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
A big issue with repetitive stress injuries is that they can cause other health problems when left unchecked. Depending on which body parts your injury affects, you could end up developing herniated discs, nerve compression syndromes, or even stress fractures. This is why it’s important to treat such injuries as soon as you notice the early symptoms.
Can You Get Workers’ Compensation For This Type of Injury?
Unfortunately, treatments cost money. Few are giving away physical therapy sessions or steroid injections for free. This is why many try to apply for workers’ compensation when they have a repetitive stress injury.
You have to report your injury to your employer. Then they report it to their insurer. If your claim is accepted, you will receive some benefits. However, sometimes it can be hard to get workers’ comp for this kind of injury. The insurer might argue that you developed this injury elsewhere. This is why you may want to meet with a lawyer who can help you make an appeal.
Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney
If you want to learn more about your options, contact the Law Offices of George Poulos. We can answer your questions about the workers’ compensation system and help you with your claim if necessary. Talk to an experienced attorney today.