No one expects or wants to suffer an on the job injury, but injuries do happen; it is why employers are required by law to provide workers’ compensation coverage for their workers. Workers’ compensation insurance is designed to provide benefits to injured workers when a work injury occurs. Most workers understand that if they suffer an injury as the result of a sudden workplace accident, such as a fall from a ladder, car accident while on duty, or slip and fall, that they will be covered. However, many workers overlook the possibility of an injury that occurs over time.
Injuries that develop over time after continuously performing a task for weeks, months, or years are called repetitive motion injuries. The most well-known type of repetitive motion injury is likely Capral Tunnel Syndrome, which can cause weakness, numbing, or tingling in the hand because of nerve pressure stemming from typing or writing. Other common types of repetitive injuries include tendinitis (inflammation of the tendons) and bursitis (inflammation of the bursae), both of which can affect many areas of the body, including the neck, shoulder, elbow, hips, and knees.
Repetitive motion injuries can manifest as pain, discomfort, swelling, tingling, numbness, or weakness without any visible sign of injury or inflammation. Due to their nature, many workers do not identify or report their repetitive motion injury early on and continue to perform their assigned tasks, further aggravating the injury. Many workers only report the injury when the injury becomes painful and the discomfort become unbearable. The delay in reporting the injury also makes the injury more difficult to treat.
Fortunately for workers, repetitive motion injuries are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. If a worker suspects that he or she is developing a repetitive motion injury it is important to report it and seek treatment as early as possible, before it becomes a chronic problem. The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth helps injured workers navigate the complex California workers’ compensation system. We can help you seek treatment and compensation for lost wages. We offer 100% free consultations and will not charge any fees if we cannot recover for you. Call us today at 888-517-9888.
