Repetitive Trauma Injury

Also known as repetitive strain, repetitive motion, repetitive stress, and cumulative trauma injuries, repetitive trauma injuries occur over time due to repetition of a single task. This may be as wearying as constant lifting or as simple as typing on a keyboard day after day. These tasks lead to a wide array of physical afflictions, including the following repetitive trauma injuries:

• Carpal tunnel and other wrist problems
• Spinal injuries and back strain
• Elbow and knee joint injuries
• Nerve compression
• Chronic joint pain
• Tendonitis
• Vision loss
• Hearing loss

These injuries can result from a variety of workplace tasks, including heavy lifting, computer work, driving, assembly line work, construction, railroad work, and mechanical work. Even something as simple as sitting at a desk all day and talking on the phone or keying in data can strain the back, neck, and wrists.

Compensation Benefits

These types of injuries limit your ability to perform job-related tasks since they can lead to restricted movement and constant pain. If your doctor has deemed you unable to work due to a repeated stress injury, or if they have placed work restrictions on you, you qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits include:

• Permanent total disability
• Permanent partial disability
• Temporary disability
• Medical expenses, including doctor visits and medication expenses
• Rehabilitation and retraining to help you cope with your injury

Workers’ comp covers doctor visits with a medical professional of your choice. If your employer has a PPP, this is either one of their preferred healthcare providers or one of your choice. If they do not have one, then it’s any two physicians of your choice. When you seek compensation, be sure you are aware of your company’s policy on preferred healthcare providers.

Challenges and Seeking Help

Repetitive trauma injuries present certain problems when it comes to recovering workers’ compensation. Since they occur over time, there may not be an immediately recognizable cause for your injuries, and it will thus be harder to link them to your employment. With skilled legal guidance, however, you can do it. As your workers’ compensation attorney, Hart David Carson LLP can utilize reliable experts and resources to pin down the cause of your injury.

When it becomes apparent that an injury resulted from a work-related task, we provide the legal guidance and representation you need to face your employer and their insurance company. They may try to downplay the seriousness of your injury or argue the necessity of medical treatments to reduce the amount they give you (and possibly to avoid making any payments whatsoever). 

For a free consultation, contact our attorneys today.