As an employee at a workplace, you are supposed to perform some repetitive motions, which can strain your muscles and joints or cause any other kind of injury. The physical damage done by such scenarios is known as Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). The consequences of this can vary from minor injuries like mild pain or swelling to severe joint harm.
Though these injuries are pretty common, do you know that you can make a claim for these damages? Employers are usually responsible for such physical issues that are raised during fulfilling employment needs. Let’s have a better understanding of how RSI happens and what legal actions can be taken.
Understanding Repetitive Strain Injury
Who gets repetitive strain injuries?
Here are the typical individuals who are prone to repetitive strain injury.
Office Workers: Usually, the ones working on desktops, constantly sitting and using the keyboard and mouse, can lead to problems like back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and epicondylitis.
Manual Workers: Workers who frequently lift heavy objects, such as warehouse staff, construction workers, and movers, are at risk of developing RSIs in their hands, wrists, shoulders, and back. The repetitive motion of lifting, especially without proper technique or adequate rest, can strain muscles and joints.
Assembly Line Workers: Workers working in manufacturing settings often perform the same motions repeatedly, such as assembling parts, packing products, or using tools. This continuous repetition can cause strain and overuse of specific muscles and joints, leading to RSIs.
Healthcare Professionals: Here’s how different healthcare workers become vulnerable to Repetitive Strain Injury.
- Dentists and dental hygienists holding tools and working in awkward positions can cause RSIs in the hands, wrists, and shoulders.
- Prolonged surgeries requiring precision can also strain the hands and arms.
- Lifting patients and repetitive tasks can lead to back and shoulder injuries.
Craftsmen and Artists: Activities such as sewing, knitting, painting, and sculpting demand continuous and precise hand and finger motions, often over extended periods. This repetitive motion can strain the muscles, tendons, and nerves in the hands, wrists, and forearms. Additionally, painters and sculptors hold tools for long periods, requiring repetitive strokes or forceful actions, which can further raise the risk of RSIs. Even musicians who engage in repetitive hand movements while playing instruments like the piano, guitar, or violin are susceptible to these injuries.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Repetitive Strain Injury?
Pain:
Pain in the affected area, such as the wrist, hand, elbow, shoulder, neck, or back.
Persistent, dull ache in the affected muscles or tendons.
A burning feeling in the muscles or tendons.
Stiffness:
Feeling stiffness in the joints that makes movement difficult.
Lowered flexibility in the muscles leads.
Tenderness:
Tenderness when the affected area is touched or pressed.
Swelling in the affected area, indicating inflammation.
Weakness:
Reduced strength in the affected muscles leads to difficulty performing tasks.
Weakness in grip strength, making it hard to hold objects.
Numbness and Tingling:
Sensations of numbness, tingling, or feeling pins and needles in a specific area.
In severe cases, there may be a partial or complete loss of sensation.
Loss of Coordination:
Difficulty with tasks that require fine motor skills, such as typing or buttoning a shirt.
Dropping objects or difficulty manipulating small items.
Throbbing:
Throbbing pain that may worsen with activity or at night.
Fatigue:
Tiredness or fatigue in the affected muscles, even with minimal use.
Cramping:
Involuntary muscle cramps in the affected area.
Functional Limitations:
Challenges in performing everyday tasks, such as lifting, typing, or carrying items.
What to do if RSI is due to work?
Once you notice an RSI, try adjusting your workstyle or seek medical help. However, if the situation remains the same, go for these steps to make a compensation claim:
Report the Injury:
Notify your employer as soon as you notice symptoms of RSI. This formal notification is crucial as it starts the documentation process. Make sure to follow your company’s procedure for reporting workplace injuries.
Seek Medical Attention:
Visit a healthcare professional to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan for your RSI. Obtain medical records that document your condition, the likely cause, and any recommended treatments or work restrictions.
Document Everything:
Keep detailed records of your symptoms, medical visits, treatments, and any expenses incurred due to your RSI. Make sure you record the data on how the injury has affected your ability to perform your job and any other aspects of your daily life.
Review Workplace Policies:
Familiarize yourself with your workplace’s health and safety policies, workers’ compensation procedures, and any relevant practices that will help you ease the claim process.
Consult a Legal Professional:
Consider consulting with an attorney specializing in workers’ compensation or personal injury claims. They can provide guidance on your rights and help you with the legal aspects of filing a claim.
File a Workers’ Compensation Claim:
If your RSI is proven to be work-related, you will be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Submit a claim through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. This usually involves filling out specific forms and providing medical evidence of your injury.
Follow Up:
Stay in regular contact with your employer and the workers’ compensation insurance provider to monitor the status of your claim. Ensure all requested documentation and information are provided promptly.
Workers’ Compensation for a Repetitive Strain Injury
In California, workers’ compensation covers repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) incurred due to job duties. Proving RSI origin from work tasks can be challenging, requiring early medical attention and notification to the employer. Seeking legal counsel can ensure proper filing and challenge any coverage limitations or denials. Employing a California workers’ compensation attorney can help navigate the claims process, aiming to maximize coverage for RSI-related medical care and potential disability benefits for impacted workers in Orange County and the Inland Empire.
Final Words: Contact Our Repetitive Stress Injury Lawyers Today
If you are dealing with any kind of RSI and want to make a compensation claim, contact Accident Defender’s experienced lawyers to help you out. We have helped several individuals facing similar challenges and will guide you through this settlement process with our expertise.
