What Is a Repetitive Strain Injury?

When most people think about workplace injuries, they picture a sudden accident, such as a fall or machinery mishap.

But not all injuries happen in a flash. Some build up slowly, day after day, until you wake up one morning and something doesn’t feel right.

Repetitive stress injuries are the most common and most overlooked types of workplace injuries. These conditions do not result from a single incident but from performing the same motion repeatedly. And yes, in many cases, they can qualify for workers’ compensation.

Repetitive Strain Injuries Can Be Debilitating

According to the Cleveland Clinic, repetitive stress injuries happen when repeated movements cause strain on muscles, tendons, or nerves over time. Often, it can cause minor damage, but when left untreated, it can become severe and debilitating.

Some examples include:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tendonitis
• Bursitis
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Tennis elbow

Whether you work at a computer, on an assembly line, in the kitchen, or on a construction site, repetitive injuries can affect anyone whose job involves consistent physical motion.

How These Injuries Affect Your Ability to Work

At first, the symptoms may be mild. You might have minor soreness, stiffness, or numbness. But over time, those symptoms can worsen and begin to interfere with your job in profound ways. You might experience:

• Reduced mobility or range of motion
• Difficulty gripping tools, typing, or lifting objects
• Chronic pain that makes concentration difficult
• Decreased productivity due to discomfort or fatigue
• Frequent absences for medical appointments or rest

As the condition worsens, you may struggle to keep up with your usual duties. In some cases, repetitive injuries can force workers into temporary or permanent job modifications, reassignment, or even early retirement if left untreated.

Why Workers’ Compensation May Be Needed

When your job causes or contributes to a repetitive injury, workers’ compensation benefits can help you get the care and support you need. These benefits are designed to cover:

• Medical treatment related to your injury
• Wage replacement if you’re unable to work while recovering
• Permanent disability compensation if the injury leads to lasting limitations
• Rehabilitation services to help you return to work or transition to a new role

Filing a workers’ comp claim for a repetitive injury may seem intimidating, especially since there’s often no single “accident date” to reference.

But these injuries are just as real and eligible for benefits as sudden injuries.

How Do These Injuries Qualify for Workers’ Comp?

Workers’ compensation is there to help when your job causes an injury or illness. The path to a claim can be difficult with repetitive injuries since there may be questions about how your job may have played a role.

However, you could still be entitled to benefits through the workers’ compensation process. To qualify, you will need to show:

A Medical Diagnosis

You will want to start seeing a doctor. During the visit, explain your symptoms and your job tasks. A medical professional can help determine whether your injury is related to your work and put it in writing. This is essential for a workers’ comp claim.

A Clear Connection to Your Job Duties

Unlike a broken bone from a fall, repetitive injuries do not happen in one moment. You must show that your work tasks caused or contributed to your condition. Be as detailed as possible, such as how often you do specific tasks, how long you have done them, and when the pain or discomfort began.

Report Right Away

The sooner you let your employer know, the better. Even if your symptoms have been creeping up for months, you don’t have to wait to speak up. Most claims require workers to report injuries within a specific time frame. Waiting too long could jeopardize your claim.

Provide Documentation

Keeping a log of your symptoms, doctor visits, and how your condition affects your ability to work can help your claim. You may also want to keep copies of any medical reports and correspondence with your employer or insurance company.

Why Are These Claims Sometimes Denied?

Unfortunately, repetitive stress injuries can be harder to prove than a sudden injury. Some common reasons for denial include:

• Pre-existing conditions: The insurance company may try to claim your injury is due to aging or an old, unrelated issue.
• Lack of clear medical evidence: Your claim may not hold up without a firm diagnosis.
• Delays in reporting: If too much time passes, they might argue your injury wasn’t work-related.

If you believe you have suffered a repetitive injury, you should consult with a workers’ compensation attorney. They can walk you through the process, help you collect the proper documentation, and fight back against unfair denials.

Get Your Deserved Benefits

Repetitive injuries are real and deserve support and compensation like any other workplace injury.

So, take action if you’re hurting and think your job may be to blame. You’ve worked hard and deserve to protect your health and rights.

At Belsky & Horowitz, LLC, we can assist with all workers’ compensation claims, including those with difficult-to-prove repetitive strain injuries.

Our attorneys are ready to help.