A repetitive motion injury, also sometimes referred to as a repetitive strain injury, is something that happens with long-term employment. A worker has to make the same motion over and over again, and this puts excess strain on their body. Just performing that motion once wouldn’t be a problem at all and may seem physically very easy. But doing it tens of thousands of times, over years, can cause a serious injury.
For example, say that there is a construction worker who has to swing a hammer. Simply pounding in a single nail isn’t likely to cause any injury at all. But swinging the hammer every day, for decades, could lead to tendinitis in the elbow. This is very similar to tennis elbow, an injury suffered by tennis players due to the swinging motion of the racket.
Do you deserve workers’ comp benefits?
Yes, if you’re suffering from a repetitive strain injury, you can still seek workers’ comp benefits. After all, the cumulative damage to your body was directly caused by your employment.
That said, this can be a little bit complex. You need to gather appropriate evidence to show what tasks you had to do on the job, how those caused your injury, and what costs you’re facing due to that injury, such as medical bills or lost wages. There was no direct accident, such as there is when a worker is struck by a car or falls from a ladder, so having long-term evidence and documentation can be very beneficial.
Repetitive strain injuries can be quite serious and may have a long-term impact on your career, so be sure you know exactly what legal options you have.