Repetitive Strain Work Injuries
Repetitive Strain injuries (RSIs) are a common source of workers’ compensation claims in Florida. Repeated motions, such as bending, lifting, turning, and even typing, can lead to stress and strain on a worker’s tendons, ligaments, nerves, and tissues. Over time, such injuries can become extremely painful and debilitating.
If you suffered Repetitive Strain injuries due to work-related activities, you can file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. Rosenberg & Rosenberg can teach you about the types of RSIs, how they occur, and what benefits you could seek through workers’ compensation. Call now so our Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyers can provide targeted advice during a free consultation. We are available 24/7.
Repetitive Strain injuries, also called repetitive strain injuries, arise when a worker damages their muscles, tendons, nerves, or other tissues through repeated, constant use.
Body parts typically affected by Repetitive Strain include:
If you suffer an RSI due to your work activities, you may have grounds to seek workers’ compensation for Repetitive Strain injuries in Florida.
RSIs can affect any part of the body that is used repeatedly throughout the day. Consistent, regular movement of the same body part in the same way can hurt your body, even if the movement is not particularly rigorous. Repetitive Strain injuries that could arise from work-related activities include the following:
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a repetitive motion injury that occurs in the tendons and nerves of the wrist. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), it is extremely common, affecting up to 5 percent of the general population.
The carpal tunnel is a space between your wrist bones that lets nerves, ligaments, and tendons pass from your arm to your hand. Repetitive use of the hand and wrist can cause swelling or pressure in the carpal tunnel, which affects the median nerve. Someone suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome may experience tingling, numbness, pain, and weakness in their hand and wrist as a result.
The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that overexertion injuries are among the most common causes of days away from work. Such injuries are typically caused by too much stress or strain on the body. The strain can be from excessive physical effort or repetitive activities with no strenuous effort. Examples of movements that could lead to overexertion include:
Nearly half of all overexertion injuries involve the trunk, particularly the back muscles and tissues. Damage from overexertion at work may require rehabilitation and light duty until you heal fully. Our workers’ comp attorneys can help you pursue the benefits you need to cover such losses.
The rotator cuff is the soft tissue that keeps the ball-and-socket shoulder bones together. When working properly, the four muscles of the rotator cuff connect your upper arm, shoulder blade, and collarbone, which allows you to lift and rotate your arm.
A rotator cuff injury typically occurs when a tendon attaching the rotator cuff muscles to a bone frays or tears. If you damage your rotator cuff, you may notice weakness or pain when you lift or rotate the affected arm. Work responsibilities and routines can cause rotator cuff injuries that may require surgery, physical therapy, and rest before you can return to your job.
Tendonitis is inflammation or irritation of the tendons that connect muscles to bones. It is one of the most common workplace upper extremity issues. Repetitive Strain in the workplace can lead to tendonitis, which manifests as pain, swelling, and discomfort in the affected area.
Tendonitis happens due to overuse or repeated use of a certain part of the body. Common names for tendonitis conditions include:
Tendonitis treatments may include medication, physical therapy, rest, and surgery. For work-related tendonitis, our Florida workplace injury lawyers could seek workers’ compensation benefits to cover medical costs and missed work.
Arthritis is an inflammatory condition characterized by pain, swelling, and stiffness in joints and connective tissues. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, millions of people in the U.S. suffer from arthritis. There are two types of arthritis: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
While rheumatoid arthritis occurs due to a specific disease, osteoarthritis is much more common and can arise due to age, injury, and overuse. For workers who engage in repetitive or strenuous activities, such as kneeling, squatting, bending, or lifting, arthritis is a possibility.
The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage that cushions your shin bone and thigh bone. When the meniscus is torn or otherwise injured, it can cause reduced mobility, pain, and swelling. A damaged meniscus can prevent you from bending, twisting, rotating, or straightening your knee. You may also have trouble with activities like standing, walking, running, and squatting.
Meniscus injuries can arise over time when your work requires you to turn, pivot, or twist repeatedly. Treatment for an injured meniscus may include rest, medication, physical therapy exercises, and surgery. You could file a workers’ compensation claim if your meniscus was injured because of work-related activities.
Workers’ compensation allows workers to recover costs for certain work-related injury expenses. Florida’s workers’ compensation program allows employees injured on the job to receive:
To find out what benefits you qualify for and how to recover them, call Rosenberg & Rosenberg today. Our family-owned firm is committed to making our community a better place for everyone. We can start you off with a free case review.
Filing a workers’ comp claim for Repetitive Strain injuries in Florida can be complicated. Timing is crucial, especially for injuries that occur over a period of time. When you become aware of your injury, immediately notify your employer.
Our workers’ comp lawyers are familiar with Florida claims and can help you navigate the process outlined below:
You typically have 30 days from the date you learn of your injury to file a workers’ comp claim. Your employer has seven days to report the injury to their workers’ compensation insurance carrier, and the insurance company must send you a brochure regarding your rights and responsibilities within three days.
Seek medical attention as soon as you become aware of the Repetitive Strain injury. Your employer or their insurance company will generally have a preferred provider. Be sure to go to the authorized provider for all medical treatments related to your workplace injury.
The workers’ comp filing process should be handled by your employer. As long as you report your injury within 30 days, your employer is legally obligated to report the injury and file a claim. Your workers’ compensation carrier information should be posted in the workplace so you can report the claim yourself if your employer fails to do so.
You must have evidence to prove that your repetitive motion injury occurred because of work. This may include witness statements, professional medical testimony, and an independent medical examination. Our Florida workers’ compensation attorneys can help you gather evidence and meet appropriate filing deadlines.
Workers’ compensation claims are often denied on technicalities. For example, since repetitive motion injuries occur over a period of time, determining the injury date can create complications.
If your Repetitive Strain injury claim is denied, our workers’ comp lawyers in Florida can help you appeal the decision.
Rosenberg & Rosenberg has been serving injured people in Florida for more than 50 years. We understand the intricacies of the Florida workers’ compensation program, and we can help you pursue the benefits you need.
We handle a wide variety of cases, including workers’ compensation claims. Our aim is to protect our clients’ right to fair compensation. Over the past five decades, we have recovered millions in compensation for our injured clients. Our workers’ compensation lawyers can help you understand the workers’ comp process and fight for benefits.
Our team is dedicated to providing personalized attention for every case. We are available 24/7 to discuss your case, and you can always expect a quick response to emails and calls. We never want to leave you wondering about your case. Our diverse team comes from a range of different backgrounds and includes Spanish- and Creole-speaking staff.
We have helped injured clients handle workers’ compensation claims for both acute and Repetitive Strain injuries. Our workers’ compensation law firm can guide you through the process and defend your right to compensation in an appeal if your claim is denied. Let us help you pursue the benefits you need to recover from your workplace injuries.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation about seeking workers’ compensation for Repetitive Strain injuries in Florida. Rosenberg & Rosenberg will answer your questions and educate you about how to get the money your family needs based on the severity of your injury.
