Not all work-related injuries in Missouri, and elsewhere, are sustained as the result of suffering some type of trauma. Many medical conditions are caused by repetitive motion or activity, which results in wear and tear on the body. These conditions are often referred to as repetitive stress injuries or musculoskeletal disorders. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2013, the most recent year for which statistics were available, musculoskeletal disorders accounted for one-third of all worker injuries requiring days off of work. Since there generally is not a specific incident to attribute the injury to in these cases, many employers may deny workers’ injury claims. At Mayer & Rosenberg, P.C., we often speak with people who have suffered this type of injury in the workplace but are struggling to obtain the workers’ compensation coverage they deserve. In this post, we will discuss repetitive stress injuries and the benefits to which injured workers may be entitled.
Injuries caused by repetitive stress commonly affect musicians and athletes, however, they also regularly occur in the workplace. There are numerous medical conditions, which can be classified as musculoskeletal disorders. Some of the most common repetitive stress injuries include the following:
- Tendonitis
- Rotator cuff syndrome
- Epicondylitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Bursitis
In general, most injuries and disorders that result from the body having too much stress placed on it can be classified as repetitive stress injuries. As a result of these types of injuries, workers may experience a range of symptoms, including weakness, numbness, stiffness and pain.
Workers in numerous occupations can be at risk of developing repetitive stress injuries. Generally, these conditions may be caused by work that necessitates repetitious tasks. They can also be the result of work that requires workers to be in unusual positions or to regularly perform heavy lifting. Often, people who must stay in a fixed position for extended periods, as well as those who spend a significant amount of time using scanners, keyboards or computers, may develop repetitive injuries.
When a qualified physician determines that these types of injuries are work-related, injured workers may be covered by their employers’ workers’ compensation policies. Generally, the types of benefits that may be provided include disability compensation for the time workers miss from work, as well as medical coverage for treatment of the condition.
For more information, please contact our workers compensation lawyer.