Introduction: What is a repetitive use injury?
In general, a repetitive use injury is an injury that results from doing the same motion over and over again. Sometimes it can be a form of occupational hazard. Further, repetitive use injuries are more likely to develop from performing the same task for long periods of time, with little rest or variation. For example, this type of injury often happens when typing on a keyboard or playing video games.
Fortunately, workman compensation is a type of insurance coverage that provides benefits, such as medical care, to workers who obtained an injury or illness on the job. Thus, the program provides a degree of protection for workers and their families. So, they are not only able to continue working. But it also provides them with the ability to cope with their injuries in an efficient manner.
What are the most common types of repetitive use injuries?
In short, repetitive use injuries result from the repetition of a single movement. Oftentimes, these injuries occur due to repetitive motions that involve the hands, wrists, arms, and fingers.
For example, some of the most common types of repetitive use injuries include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, tenosynovitis, and trigger finger.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: an inflammation in one or both of the main nerves in your hand. This injury is a common condition. In some cases, it can develop gradually. Or it may come on suddenly. Finally, carpal tunnel syndrome presents itself through numbness and tingling in the fingers and thumb, pain in the wrist, and difficulty moving the fingers.
- Tendonitis: occurs when the tendon is overused, has an injury, or does not move freely. When a tendon becomes inflamed, the pain can be intense and temporary. If not treated properly, tendonitis can cause long-term problems. Further, the symptoms of tendonitis are swelling, pain, and stiffness.
- Tenosynovitis: an inflammation or irritation of a tendon sheath which can cause pain and swelling in the affected area. In most cases, the causes of tenosynovitis are overuse, immobilization and injury to the muscles, tendons, and joint capsules in the affected area.
- Trigger finger: when one or more tendons on one side of your finger stay in a flexed position so that it cannot be straightened. Usually, common cause of trigger finger are injury, surgery, or an unknown cause.
Symptoms of Repetitive Use Injuries
Repetitive stress injuries are a type of injury that result from repeating the same movements over and over again. Further, there are many different types of repetitive stress injuries. However, symptoms of a repetitive use injury vary from person to person.
In general, the human body is not designed to maintain these constant motions, no matter how small it seems. For example, typing on a computer all day can lead to neck pain or shoulder pain. Even if you’re not sitting at a desk all day, keeping your arms bent for long periods of time can lead to back pain.
Usually, symptoms of repetitive use injury include pain in the affected area, numbness in the fingers, tingling sensations in the hand or arm, and a general feeling of weakness in the hand.
In most cases, the cause of repetitive use injury is a broken or thinned tendon in the hand. In fact, tendon injuries generally occur when a person exerts too much pressure on their hands, causing the tendons to tear and create irritation in surrounding tissues. So, it’s important to take care of your hands and make sure that you are not overusing them so that they can carry on working well.
Get Help with your Workers Compensation Claim Today!
Workers Compensation is a type of insurance that pays for medical expenses and replaces lost wages for people who obtain an injury on the job.
To begin the workers’ compensation claim process, you must first file a claim with your employer. Then, they will send you to see a doctor, who will diagnose your injury or disability. After your exam, they determine how long you’ll be out of work. Also, the doctor will tell you what kind of treatment they recommend. After treatment, you will be mailed a settlement calculation. At the end of your work week, your employer will pay you for your remaining time on the job in accordance with the law. If there is no leftover pay, which could happen if you were on vacation when injured or disabled, then your employer must make up some money from their own coffers. If you have a lawyer, they must find out whether an entirely separate lawsuit is needed.
Overall, the workers’ compensation claim process is complicated and can be frustrating. That’s why it’s important to work with an attorney that understands your needs and will walk you through the process. Yes, finding an attorney can seem intimidating. But there are so many different types of lawyers and law firms out there. In order to hire the best one for you, it is important to have a conversation with them about your needs, wants, and expectations.
Conclusion: Protect Yourself as a Worker with This Guide
In summary, this guide is for workers who want to protect themselves as a worker. Thus, it provides information on what rights workers have and how to protect them, including the right to:
- Work in safe conditions
- Fair pay
- Be treated with dignity and respect
- Join a union or other organization of their choice
- Protection against discriminated
- Ensure that your pay is at least the minimum wage rate
- Contact an organization such as the Department of Labor if your employer refuses to pay you the legal minimum wage
- Reach out to a lawyer if you believe that your employer is not paying you within the legal requirements
- Work in a safe environment
- Contact your employer if you are in a hazardous situation such as being at a construction site without proper safety equipment
- Speak to the police and file a complaint about the hazard if you believe your life is in danger
Overall, these are some of the rights workers have. So, if you have any trouble filing your workers’ comp claim, consult an attorney today.