When you think of workers’ compensation, you may think of benefits given to a worker who suffers injury in a work-related accident. In reality, work injuries are not always the result of a traumatic incident, but many of the most debilitating and painful injuries develop over time.
Repetitive stress injuries occur when a person repeats the same motion over months or years. For some, repetitive motion can exacerbate an injury that already exists or create a painful injury that makes it difficult to do one’s job or perform normal, everyday functions. If you have a diagnosis of a repetitive stress injury that is the result of your job, you have a valid workers’ compensation claim, even if your injury is unseen.
Common causes and treatment for repetitive stress injuries
Alabama workers most commonly diagnosed with repetitive stress injuries are those who perform routine tasks on a regular basis, such as:
- Typing
- Assembling
- Lifting
- Writing
- Laying tile
- Driving
- Hammering
- Building
While this type of injury is not the result of a serious one-time incident, it can be quite painful. Numbness, limited range of motion and other symptoms can seriously limit a person’s ability to work and have a successful career. Many workers diagnosed with a repetitive strain injury are able to obtain a full recovery with the following treatments and pain management methods:
- Occupational therapy
- Conditioning exercises
- Rest and rehabilitation
- Pain management
Depending on the specific type of injury you may have, surgery may also be a necessary step for a full recovery. You may miss work due to being unable to continue with the same tasks as before or you may even face the reality that you will be unable to return the same job as before your diagnosis. Even non-invasive treatment plans can be extensive and costly.
Building a strong benefits claim
How can you prove that you have a rightful claim to workers’ compensation benefits for an injury that you cannot even see? It is smart to secure legal guidance regarding your options and the validity of a potential claim before you even begin the application process.
By gathering medical records, working with medical professionals and using other evidence to support your benefits claim, it is possible to get positive results from your workers’ compensation claim and finally get the support you need for a full recovery from your painful repetitive stress injury.
