One of the fastest-growing types of occupational injuries doesn’t involve falling from a ladder, slicing a finger with a saw blade, or really any dramatic incident at all. These days, some of the most common injuries sustained on the job occur gradually over time due to repetitive motion.
Musculoskeletal disorders, including repetitive stress injuries, are the most costly category of workplace injuries in the United States. Racking up over $20 billion on workers’ compensation and another $100 billion on lost productivity and employee turnover each year, RSIs are a major threat to workplace health and safety.
Repetitive stress injuries, also known as repetitive strain injuries, or RSIs, can include a large group of ailments that affect the soft tissue—like nerves, tendons, muscles, and ligaments. If your workspace is not ergonomically designed or if your career requires the same motion to be performed repeatedly, you may be at risk for a repetitive strain injury, such as:
There are over 100 types of RSIs that people can develop during their careers, but the most common involve trauma to the upper extremities like the wrists, hands, and elbows.
In the early stages of enduring an RSI, you may not notice any symptoms, or may only notice them when you hold a certain position or do a particular motion. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms consistently, you may want to get checked out by a medical professional for a repetitive strain injury:
Although some people may have no visible signs of an injury, they may find it difficult to perform their usual tasks. If this is something you’re experiencing, seek advice from a medical provider right away.
While people who work in an office setting—like graphic designers and writers—are most susceptible to obtaining an RSI due to their frequent computer use, many other professionals have a high risk of RSI. These include:
Any occupation that requires the use of vibrating equipment or holding awkward postures can also put you at a higher risk of developing an RSI. Optimize your workstation and try to retain proper posture to minimize the stress on your body to decrease your risk of injury.
Employees suffering from repetitive stress injuries due to bodily wear-and-tear in the workplace could qualify for workers’ compensation benefits if they can show that their work duties were to blame. Partner with the experienced workplace injury lawyers at KCNS Law Group, where our client-based approach is concentrated on our commitment to you.
Don’t take up your workplace injury case alone. Reach out to us at (818) 937-9255 or complete an online contact formto schedule a meeting with an accomplished workers’ compensation attorney today.
Our client-based approach is concentrated on our commitment to providing individual and strategic representation tailored to our client’s specific needs.