Repetitive strain injuries sometimes referred to as repetitive stress injuries (RSIs), are very common in the workplace. Most employers do take steps to mitigate the causes of repetitive motion injuries. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted much of the workforce towards home-based employment. Employers who have never had to deal with employees working from home are now trying to shift their understanding of workplace safety. Most employees do not have equipment in their homes designed with ergonomics in mind. Here, the Los Angeles repetitive motion injury attorneys at Koszdin, Fields & Sherry want to discuss some at-home prevention tips concerning these injuries.
A New Work Environment
For many employees, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in them working from home for the first time in their lives. While many people in this area have worked from home for some time before the pandemic, this is quite an adjustment for those who are just beginning their work-from-home careers.
First and foremost, employers should be preparing their workers to do their jobs safely from the home environment. At Koszdin, Fields & Sherry, we understand that this has been a rapid transition, and many employers may need some time to help ensure that their employees are able to work from an environment at home that is comparable to the one they are used to in the workplace.
Some of the common safety measures could include providing ergonomic equipment such as:
- Adjustable desks
- Adjustable chairs
- Talk-to-text software
- Regular breaks to rest eyes, hands, and wrists
Most of the jobs that were able to see transitions to work from home environments revolve around computers. This includes customer service call takers, data entry professionals, professional writers, graphic designers, and more. Unfortunately, these types of workers were already prone to sustaining repetitive stress injuries, particularly carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel syndrome develops over longer periods of time after a worker performs the same motion over and over again. This can result in extreme pain of the hands and wrists, tenderness in that area, as well as numbness, and weakness. Carpal tunnel syndrome can completely prevent somebody from performing their job duties and often requires surgery to repair the damage. It is in the interest of employers to take steps to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome from developing.
Call Us For A Free Consultation Of Your Case
If you or somebody you care about has sustained a repetitive motion injury as a result of working from home, you need to speak to an attorney as soon as possible. At Koszdin, Fields & Sherry, our qualified and experienced team understands California workers’ compensation laws, and we are ready to get to work on your case. Let us analyze the situation surrounding your injuries so we can determine whether you are entitled to coverage of medical bills, lost wages if you are unable to work, pain and suffering damages, and more. When you need a Los Angeles repetitive motion injury attorney, you can reach out to us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 800-747-3447.
