When most people think about workers’ compensation claims, they immediately think about workplace injuries such as broken or fractured bones, concussions, or slip and fall injuries. And while these types of on-the-job injuries do make up a fair portion of all workers’ comp claims in California, there are many other circumstances in which you might be eligible to receive workers’ compensation.
For example, did you know that feeling stressed out in the workplace might qualify as an on-the-job injury compensable under workers’ compensation law? Or did you know that you can recover damages for your wrist pain that developed gradually from your day-to-day job duties?
Repetitive motion injury and workers’ compensation
Contrary to the popular belief, there is no legal rule in California that prohibits workers in Los Angeles and elsewhere in the state from filing a workers’ comp claim if their injury cannot be traced to a particular accident in the workplace. Similarly, nowhere does it say that you are eligible to recover workers’ comp benefits only if your injuries are physical.
“Yes, we are talking about repetitive motion injuries that develop due to work-related activities,” says our Los Angeles repetitive motion injury attorney from the Koszdin, Fields & Sherry law firm. You may be eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim for repetitive stress injuries as long as your job duties or work-related conditions caused or contributed to your injury. “Even if you had a pre-existing condition, you may still receive compensation if the job made your condition worse.”
Fact: Did you know that repetitive stress injuries account for the largest number of workers’ compensation claims in not only in California, but also all across the nation?
Carpal tunnel syndrome vs. repetitive stress injury
Repetitive motion injuries, also known as repetitive motion injuries, repetitive strain injuries, and cumulative trauma injuries, can include such injuries as carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, and tendonitis. Many people in Los Angeles and elsewhere in California do not distinguish the difference between repetitive motion injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome.
In reality, carpal tunnel syndrome is just one of the injuries that fall into the repetitive stress injuries category. “Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful condition of the hand and fingers caused by compression of a major nerve in the wrist,” explains our experienced repetitive motion injury attorney in Los Angeles. “As you can imagine, the number of carpal tunnel syndrome-related workers’ comp claims continues to increase each year with the increasing number of people performing their job duties at a computer and using a keyboard.”
Repetitive strain injury: treatment and recovery (will you need surgery?)
But what about the treatment? Is it possible to treat repetitive stress injuries without surgery? Well, it might be. You see if you were diagnosed with a repetitive motion injury at an early stage, it is possible that your condition can be remedied or controlled through physical therapy and a certain period of time away from the keyboard. Also, proper education about body posture and mechanics can be helpful in introducing certain changes in the injured worker’s job and life activities.
Failure to make certain changes to treat repetitive strain injuries can result in disability or aggravated painful sensation in the affected area. Furthermore, failure to treat a repetitive motion injury as early as possible increases the risk that the worker will not be able to return to their job in full capacity.
Since repetitive motion injuries are an overuse problem, it helps to get adequate rest or take some time away from the activity or condition that caused the injury. The rest period helps torn muscle fibers recover. “Also, many doctors recommend taking frequent breaks from work and doing stretching exercises in addition to taking anti-inflammatory medication,” says our Los Angeles repetitive motion injury attorney.
Are you wondering how to receive workers’ compensation for your repetitive stress injury? Consult with our lawyers at the Koszdin, Fields & Sherry law firm. Call at 818-812-5639 or 800-747-3447 or fill out this contact form.
