Maison Law helps injury victims in California, whether it happens in your personal life or at work. Any job requires certain repeat motions that can lead to injuries. Repetitive stress, as it’s called, might be part of your job, but you also have certain options to recover. If you’ve been hurt at work due to repetitive stress, contact us today for a free consultation.
Do You Need a Lawyer After a Repetitive Stress Injury?
Facing any injury situation at work is pretty scary. Not only do you have to deal with the immediate pain, but also missed work and losing income. But not every injury happens suddenly. Others develop over time–especially with certain jobs. Still, injuries over time are still injuries. This means you have options for getting help. You aren’t required to have a lawyer, but going through this situation alone can quickly become overwhelming. That’s where we can step in and help you by:
- Gathering evidence, talking to witnesses, and consulting experts to build your case.
- Working with doctors to understand your injuries and future medical needs to determine fair support.
- Developing a plan, whether it’s negotiating, filing a workers’ comp claim, or pursuing a lawsuit.
- Negotiating for a fair settlement to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
If needed, we’ll take your case to court to fight for your rights. Better yet, we keep you informed every step of the way. Our goal is to get the best outcome for you and get you back to work.
What is a Repetitive Stress Injury?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, a repetitive stress injury (RSI) happens because of repetitive motions and constant muscle or joint use. It happens with your muscles and tendons, where they just wear down over time. While it can happen to any part of your body, it’s much more likely to impact your joints, like your wrists, shoulders, back, knees, hips, hands, and feet.
Under these conditions, it’s easy to see how an RSI might develop. But specifically, it can also refer to many different types of injuries and conditions, like:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome – Carpal tunnel is a fairly well-known RSI that happens through repetitive typing, data entry, or assembly line work.
- Tendonitis – Tendonitis is common in workers who lift heavy objects or use tools repeatedly, such as construction workers or mechanics.
- Bursitis – Frequent kneeling or repetitive motions, like with carpet layers or plumbers, can lead to bursitis. This is inflammation and swelling around the affected joints.
- Trigger finger – This is a condition often caused by gripping tools or equipment repeatedly, such as in manufacturing or gardening.
- Tennis elbow – Frequently found in workers who use their forearm muscles repeatedly, like painters or plumbers, tennis elbow is a painful condition where inflammation impacts the tendons around the elbow.
- Rotator cuff tears – Rotator cuff tears and injuries are common in jobs that require repetitive overhead motions, like builders, electricians, or warehouse workers.
RSIs develop gradually, but you can still file a workers’ comp claim if you get one. It’s important to recognize the signs and know how to take action if your work environment causes an injury.
What Should You Do If You Experience an RSI?
Even though you might be able to see an RSI coming, it still doesn’t mean you should just stand by and not do anything. Staying on top of your health issues as they develop is actually important to a potential workers’ comp claim. But like any process, it’s also important to know what you need to do after experiencing an RSI:
- Get medical care – As soon as you start to notice pain or discomfort from repetitive tasks, get medical care. In a lot of cases, an early diagnosis is the key to preventing ongoing damage. Your doctor can identify the injury, recommend treatment, and determine if it’s work-related, which is important for a workers’ comp claim.
- Tell your employer – Tell your employer about your RSI as early as you can. In California, you have 30 days to notify your employer, but the sooner, the better. Let them know about the tasks causing your injury and the symptoms you’re experiencing. This begins the official process and protects your right to file a claim.
- Document your injuries and symptoms – Keep track of your symptoms, noting when they started and how they progress. Make detailed notes about pain levels, specific tasks that aggravate the injury, and how it affects your ability to work. This documentation will support your workers’ comp claim and show how the injury is linked to your job duties.
- Keep evidence and records – Save copies of all medical records, doctor’s reports, and any communications with your employer or the workers’ compensation insurance company. If possible, take pictures or videos of the work environment or equipment that contributed to your injury. Having a clear record of your case strengthens your claim.
- File a workers’ comp claim – With an RSI, file a workers’ compensation claim with your employer. Fill out the form carefully, and turn it in as soon as possible. Workers’ comp usually covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation from your injuries. Once your claim is filed, the insurance company will review the evidence, and you may need to see a company-approved doctor for further evaluation.
Remember, every situation is different and everyone responds differently to an RSI. So, when you have an RSI, it’s in your best interest to both take care of your health and also keep your employer as informed as you can about your progress. From there, our workers’ compensation lawyers can help you through the claims process.
Contact Maison Law for Repetitive Stress Injuries in California
Dealing with a repetitive stress injury from work can be challenging, especially if your employer didn’t take the necessary steps to protect you. At Maison Law, we’re here to help. We’ll explain your legal options and work to hold your employer accountable for the injury. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and talk about your case.
