Repetitive Stress Injury Attorney in Albany, GA

Repetitive Stress Injuries in the Workplace

Not all workplace injuries are caused by a sudden traumatic accident. Instead, a worker can develop painful conditions simply through the repetitive physical motions required to perform the job. These motions, particularly when they’re awkward or unnatural for the body, may lead to a repetitive stress injury. Repetitive stress injuries can cause severe pain and mobility issues. If left untreated, they may result in permanent disability.

When a repetitive stress injury occurs due to your work, you can pursue workers’ compensation benefits to help you treat and recover from your injury. Unfortunately, some employers put up obstacles when a worker tries to obtain benefits for a repetitive stress injury. If you are having difficulty getting the workers’ comp benefits you need, turn to the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. Our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys have a long track record of recovering fair benefits for workers who suffer repetitive stress injuries.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation. We will explain your legal rights to workers’ compensation benefits for a repetitive stress injury and answer all your questions.

Workers’ Compensation for Repetitive Stress Injury

When your work causes you to develop a repetitive stress injury, you may be entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits through your employer. These benefits may include:

• Reasonable and necessary medical treatments and rehabilitation for your injury
• Temporary disability payments, if you miss time from work while treating your injury
• Permanent partial or total disability payments, when you suffer a permanent loss of your ability to work
• Vocational rehabilitation services, can help retrain you to perform another job you can safely do within the limitations imposed by your injury

Don’t let your employer or an insurance company dictate how you deal with a repetitive stress injury. Learn about your legal rights through an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer.

Common Causes of Repetitive Stress Injuries

Repetitive stress injuries in the workplace are most frequently caused by:

Common Types of Repetitive Stress Injuries

Some of the most common forms of repetitive stress injuries suffered by workers include:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome – A condition caused by compression of the median nerve that runs through the wrist. If left untreated, the nerve damage can become permanent.
• Bursitis – A condition where the bursa, or the slippery, cushioning tissue between joints, becomes inflamed and inhibits movement of the affected joint, often also causing pain and swelling.
• Tendinitis – An inflammation of the tendons, the tissues that connect muscles to bones. The condition can cause pain and loss of mobility and strength.
• Epicondylitis – A condition also known as “tennis elbow,” believed to be caused by tears in the tendons that attach muscles in the forearm to the bones around the elbow joint.
• Ganglion cyst – A condition where a fluid-filled capsule, or cyst, forms around the hand or wrist. This is caused by fluid leaking from the sheath around the wrist tendons.
• Tenosynovitis – Irritation or inflammation of the tendons in the wrist.
• Trigger finger – A condition characterized by fingers involuntarily curling back into the palm. Attempting to straighten the finger can cause pain and a snapping sound or sensation.

Workers Who Often Suffer Repetitive Stress or Repetitive Strain Injuries

Although any worker can suffer a repetitive stress injury, workers in certain industries and professions have a greater risk. These professions include:

Symptoms of Repetitive Stress Injuries

Symptoms of a repetitive stress injury can appear over time and worsen. Signs of an injury may include:

Do not wait to seek treatment if you begin experiencing these symptoms. Talk to your doctor about the repetitive activities you perform at work and how your body is affected.

Treatment for Repetitive Stress Injuries

Treatment options for a repetitive stress injury can vary depending on the type and severity of the injury. Treatments may include:

• Medications, such as pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medication, pain blockers, or muscle relaxers
• Medical equipment, such as elastic supports, splints, and cold/heat packs
• Physical therapy, which may include exercises to help treat the injury and rebuild strength and motion, along with advice to help prevent further damage or a reoccurrence of the injury
• Steroid injections, which are used to help reduce severe inflammation associated with certain repetitive stress injuries
• Surgery, which may be needed to repair significant damage to tendons, muscles, or other tissues

How an Attorney Can Help with Your Repetitive Stress Injury Workers’ Comp Case

Repetitive stress injuries that arise due to work should be covered by workers’ compensation benefits. Unfortunately, some employers and workers’ compensation insurers deny coverage for repetitive stress injuries, arguing that the injury merely represents a non-work-related pre-existing degenerative condition. A skilled workers’ compensation attorney from our firm can help with your repetitive stress injury claim by:

• Thoroughly investigating your claim to secure evidence needed to firmly establish that your repetitive stress injury occurred in the course and scope of your job
• Reviewing your medical records and working with your treating providers to develop the medical evidence necessary to support your claim for workers’ compensation
• Communicating with your employer and its insurer on your behalf to move your workers’ compensation claim forward
• Filing a formal claim with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation if your employer denies your claim or fails to provide the full scope of benefits you deserve
• Preparing your case for a formal workers’ compensation hearing, if necessary
• Guiding you through each step of your case, so you know what to expect and do not make any mistakes that could hurt your claim

If you believe you have suffered a repetitive stress injury due to your work, contact the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., for a free consultation. A workers’ compensation attorney from our firm can answer all your questions and help you pursue the full benefits you need to recover. Call us or get in touch with us online today.