Common Types of Repetitive Stress Workplace Injury

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Are you suffering from wrist pain or carpal tunnel syndrome?

Do you have back pain and find it difficult to perform everyday activities?

If yes, it may not entirely be your fault.

Most of the time, it’s poor working conditions and the wrong furniture that can trigger repetitive stress workplace injury. And you can claim for all medical expenses incurred to treat it. However, it’s not an easy process as your employer will try to refute your claims.

This is where your Glendale workplace compensation attorney will prove helpful. Read on to find out more about repetitive stress workplace injuries and how they can help.

What Is Repetitive Stress Injury?

All injuries resulting from repetitive movements are known as Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI). These excessive repetitive motions generally end up damaging the body’s soft tissues, tendons, and muscles.

Workers’ compensation protects employees from RSI by compensating for the financial loss incurred through medical expenses and loss of wages.

What Are the Common Types of Repetitive Stress Workplace Injury?

Here are some of the common types of RSI:

  • Bursitis

Poor postures are the main reasons for bursitis, which is quite normal with desk jobs. These injuries affect your neck, shoulders, and spinal areas. Any ignorance may elevate the severe pain and lead to severe issues like a migraine.

  • Tendinitis

Pains or injuries which develop due to working for years on a specific task cause Tendinitis. For example, workers may complain about discomfort due to their prolonged working schedules in manufacturing units

  • Carpal Tunnel

Employees who type throughout the day may suffer from injuries due to their repetitive typing movements. This injury is known as carpal tunnel syndrome, with wrist pain, numbness, and tingling symptoms.

  • Rotator Cuff Injuries

The rotator cuff comprises a set of four muscles that stabilize the shoulder. An acute injury and overuse of the muscles can stress the muscles leading to partial or complete tears.

A fall or sudden injury to the shoulder can also strain the muscles, leading to intense and immediate pain. You may end up finding it difficult even to lift your shoulder over your head.

How to Prevent RSI?

Ensuring a proper work environment is the first step to prevent RSI. Employers can also train their employees with the appropriate postures to adopt and avoid such injuries.

It’s because poor positioning and postures often result in body inflammation and strain. Employees, who work in strained positions for long, are more prone to suffering from RSI.

Some of the essential precautions employers can take to ensure safety at the workplace are:

  • Using adjustable desks to make them adaptable to employees of all sizes
  • Using headsets for employees who have to be on call for the whole day
  • Providing footrests for the employees who find the chairs to be too tall
  • Using supportive chairs to strengthen their postures
  • Using adjustable computer screens to maintain eye and screen level

How Do I Get Compensation for Repetitive Stress Injury?

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Injuries are common at workplaces but not compensations. Industries such as retail, sewing, transportation, construction, office work, and manufacturing positions have a higher risk of RSI.

While preventive measures may reduce the risk of RSI, it does not eliminate it.
Hence, employers should offer their employees a good workers’ compensation policy. Unfortunately, most employers do not provide workers’ compensation.

Some employers who do provide insurance coverage may reject your claims.

This is where your workers’ compensation attorney in Glendale can help you get your rightfully deserved compensation. They will use their knowledge, expertise, and medical records to claim while you recover from your workplace injury.

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