Repetitive Stress Injuries and Workers Compensation in Lancaster County

Whether you work in an office environment or on a factory assembly line, repetitive stress injury is a real risk. A repetitive stress injury (or repetitive strain injury as it is sometimes called) is a very real physical condition that occurs when too much stress is placed on a part of the body. It often leads to pain and swelling, and if left untreated can result in long-term tissue damage. The injuries are generally caused by repeating the same movements over and over again, and this is a frequent occurrence in occupational settings. If you are experiencing this type of pain and your job includes maintain the same posture or repeating the same motion for a long period of time, then you may be entitled to workers’ compensation. The attorneys at Vanasse Law, LLC can help those who have suffered repetitive stress injuries get the workers compensation they deserve in Lancaster County.

Repeating the same movements over and over again causes injuries to tendons, nerves, muscles, and other soft body tissues. It can occur as a result of something as strenuous as continually lifting heavy boxes or as fine-tuned as high-speed typing. The body is not made to withstand the same motion for hours, days, and weeks, and eventually it succumbs to cumulative trauma.  There are a number of different types of repetitive stress injuries that are commonly seen in work environments. These include:

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Tendinitis
• Bursitis
• Tenosynovitis/DeQuervain’s Syndrome
• Tendinosis
• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
• Trigger Finger or Thumb
• Myofascial Pain Syndrome
• Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
• Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

Though each of these conditions is different, the symptoms of repetitive stress injuries are similar and include pain, tightness, stiffness, and soreness. Many people experience either a coldness or numbness or a sensation of burning, and the pain is often bad enough to disrupt sleep.

Repetitive stress injuries are more easily prevented than treated. Maintaining the right posture, using the right equipment, and being properly trained on both can be a big help. Treatment is most effective when the problem is diagnosed early and is often provided through rest, rehabilitation, and physical therapy, but it can take an extended period of time to fully recover. Unfortunately, those who have suffered repetitive stress injuries are often vulnerable to reinjury, and may not be able to return to the same work that caused the problem in the first place.

If you have been diagnosed with a repetitive stress injury as a result of repeated actions required on the job, then you may be eligible to file a claim for workers’ compensation. Depending upon the nature of the injury, your benefits could provide you with reimbursement for your medical expenses, as well as compensation for any time that you may need to be away from work.

Filing a workers’ compensation claim can be intimidating. Many employers do not understand repetitive stress injuries and may deny your claim. In Lancaster County, the experienced workers’ compensation attorneys of Vanasse Law, LLC will guide you through the process, making sure that you understand your rights and acting as powerful advocates. Contact our office today to see how we can help.