On-the-job injuries in Texas are typically associated with a one-time event. It could be a warehouse worker who cuts himself while opening shipments, a mailroom employee who strains her back lifting heavy boxes or administrative workers who suffer a burn in the breakroom. But it’s not always a single event; sometimes the injury develops from minor but repetitive movements completed over a period of time. These are known as repetitive stress injuries which may be diagnosed as tendonitis, bursitis or carpal tunnel syndrome.
These types of problems are wrist injuries that anyone can develop through performing the same motions repeatedly over a period of time. They do not happen to everyone, but according to FindLaw, repetitive motion injuries account for some 20 percent of all workplace injuries.
The good news is that worker’s compensation typically covers these injuries as long as they can be connected with work actions. Symptoms of wrist injuries can range from aches and minor pain to severe pain that is strong enough to incapacitate the worker. Additional indications can include numbing of the area, as well as loss of movement.
Unfortunately, many employees attempt to ignore the pain. However, symptoms can get worse with ongoing actions, so it is crucial that they seek medical treatment. Even if the initial injury developed at another job, worker’s compensation can be used to help fund treatment for the wrist injury, including surgery if needed, when it is aggravated by tasks performed at a current job. Compensation also applies to ongoing pain medication and physical therapy.
You may receive resistance from your insurer to covering or partially covering treatment costs through a worker’s comp claim. Should this occur, you may want to consult an attorney skilled in worker’s comp claims to ensure you receive the benefits you need.
While this information on repetitive stress injuries is certainly important, it is not meant to take the place of legal advice.