Serious workplace injuries don’t always involve falling ladders, exposure to deadly chemicals, or third-degree burns, and they don’t necessarily require a major accident. They also aren’t unique to occupations and workplaces that come with a greater likelihood of bodily harm, such as construction, factory work, and so on. In fact, employees in every field face the risk of injury in some capacity, and many common workplace injuries start small and develop over time.
What Is a Repetitive Stress Injury?
Repetitive stress injuries (also known as a repetitive strain injuries) can take many different forms. They occur due to continual use, misuse, or unhealthy tension created by repeated motion(s), and they ultimately develop into musculoskeletal disorders that can be debilitating and highly limiting for affected persons. Common examples of repetitive stress injuries include:
- Carpal tunnel
- Tendinitis
- Intersection syndrome
- Medial epicondylitis
- Cubital tunnel syndrome
- Tendinosis
You can develop a repetitive stress injury whether you’re using a jackhammer or a keyboard. Regardless of your occupation and its relative level of physical demand, keep an eye on these common culprits of repetitive strain:
- Regular use of tools that go defy the natural shape and movement of your body, such as certain keyboards, uncomfortable chairs, etc.
- Poor posture while working, including slouching, hunching over, leg-crossing, throwing the chin forward when looking at a computer, etc.
- Craning the neck to one side while talking on the telephone and multitasking
- Spending hours in front of a screen or monitor at too close a distance
- Bending from the shoulders or otherwise exhibiting improper form when lifting boxes, crates, etc.
- Failure to take active rest breaks, neglecting to walk around, stretch, and move about during the workday
- Long periods of uninterrupted screen time and lack of breaks for the eyes and eye muscles
In many cases, you can avoid a repetitive stress injury at work by ensuring you are using proper form when performing any physical activity. You can avoid most common desk injuries by using ergonomic versions of the same devices, such as screens, computer mouses, keyboards, chairs, and so on. You can also steer clear of straining your eyes, neck, back, and other susceptible body parts by simply taking a stretch break once in a while and giving your body a break.
What Can I Do if I’ve Already Sustained a Repetitive Stress Injury?
When you’re hurt on the job, you shouldn’t have to take responsibility for the costs by yourself. In many cases, your employer and the demands of your job play a part in your injury and, as such, they ought to play a role in your recovery by absorbing the incurred costs. When an injury involves musculoskeletal injury, workers’ comp is typically insufficient to cover the total amount of medical expenses, medication, therapy, reduced earning potential, and other long-term effects—that’s where we come in.
Get in Touch with an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Immediately
Call Humphrey & Associates today if you have been injured at work, regardless of your occupation or the severity of the injury. We have served a variety of clients over the years, and our attorneys are aggressive and experienced enough to make sure your case is taken seriously in court. Our Orange County personal injury attorneys know what it takes to get you the size of settlement you deserve and hold your employer accountable for the damage you have experienced while performing your workplace duties.
In order to keep you from racking up even more injury-related costs, we will offer you a free consultation as a courtesy. To schedule yours, send us an email or call us at (844) 612-5800 to speak to a member of our team.