Are Repetitive Stress Injuries Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
On-the-job injuries can occur in a wide variety of situations, and they are not always caused by workplace accidents. In many cases, an employee may suffer injuries that are caused by repetitive motions that put strain on different parts of their body. These types of injuries often develop over months or years, and they can cause a person to suffer pain and discomfort, affecting their ability to continue working.
Those who have been injured while working are typically eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits that will cover the costs of their medical treatment, as well as the loss of income due to a temporary or permanent disability. Workers’ comp will cover injuries that are fully or partially related to a person’s work, including repetitive stress injuries that develop over time.
Types of Repetitive Stress Injuries
Workers may experience multiple different forms of bodily harm related to the movements and tasks they perform while on the job. These repetitive stress injuries may include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome - The nerves that pass through the wrist into the hand can be damaged due to work-related activities such as typing, using a computer, operating a cash register, or using hand tools or power tools. This can lead to pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands and wrists and weakness in the hand muscles that may affect a person’s ability to continue performing these types of tasks.
- Tendonitis - The tendons that connect muscles to bones can become inflamed, causing pain, decreased range of motion, and lack of strength in the muscles. Tendonitis often occurs in the shoulders, elbows, and knees due to repeated motion of these joints while performing work-related tasks.
- Bursitis - The cushions within joints can become inflamed, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness. These injuries usually occur in the shoulders, elbows, knees, and hips due to pressure being applied to these joints or work-related activities that involve regular motion of the arms and legs.
- Degenerative disc disease - The discs that provide a cushion between the vertebrae in the spine can suffer damage, leading to significant back pain and loss of mobility. These injuries often occur because of regular work-related motions such as bending over, crawling, and lifting heavy objects.
Contact Our Kane County Workers' Compensation Attorney
Repetitive stress injuries can cause a great deal of pain and difficulty. When these injuries occur because of work-related activities, workers’ compensation should cover the costs of medical care, as well as any disabilities that affect a person’s ability to work. The Aurora workers’ comp attorneys at Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur, PC can help you file a work injury claim, ensuring that you can receive the benefits you deserve. Contact us today at 630-907-0909 to arrange a free consultation and learn how we can help with your case.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/repetitive-strain-injury
https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-repetitive-stress-injuries-189251
https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/iwcc/Documents/handbook.pdf
