Workers' Compensation for Repetitive Stress Injuries

Workers' Compensation for Repetitive Stress Injuries

According to a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 9% of American adults aged 18 and over suffered a repetitive strain injury in the three months prior to data collection in 2021.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data suggests that musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), also known as ergonomic injuries, affected at least 272,780 private sector workers in 2018. The federal agency contends these injuries are primarily caused by either repetitive motion, overexertion, or a combination of the two.

If you were one of the unfortunate workers who developed one of these conditions while on the job, you likely know all too well how debilitating RSIs can be, making it challenging to work. You also probably understand that MSDs like these do not heal overnight. You may need to undergo surgery and treatment to see any improvement in your condition, a detail that can affect your ability to work.

If you’ve suffered a repetitive stress injury related to your job, you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.

Understanding What Qualifies as an RSI

Repetitive stress injuries are caused by the repetition of the same or similar movement over and over. Over time, this can lead to chronic pain or may even impact your ability to use the affected limb.

Some of the most common repetitive stress injuries include:

  • Bursitis
  • Trigger finger
  • Ganglion cysts
  • Rotator cuff tendonitis
  • Raynaud’s disease
  • Tenosynovitis
  • MCL or ACL knee injuries
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome
  • Epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
  • Peripheral nerve entrapment disorders, including carpal tunnel syndrome

Which Workers Are Most at Risk for Repetitive Strain Injuries

Much like any other job-related injury, virtually any worker can suffer an RSI. However, the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) reports that repetitive stress injuries are most common among employees in the following industries:

  • Administrative and other office roles
  • Health care
  • Manufacturing and transportation
  • Music
  • Personal care services

In addition to the above, we’ve also found that other types of employees at risk for RSIs include:

  • Pipefitters or plumbers
  • Roofers
  • Grocery store employees (especially cash register operators and stockers)
  • Teachers
  • Jackhammer and other heavy machinery or tool operators
  • First responders, like firefighters
  • Delivery truck drivers
  • Housekeepers
  • Food preparation workers
  • Professional athletes

If your debilitating medical condition had an onset while you were traditionally employed in one of the aforementioned roles, it may come as some relief to know that most states do provide workers’ compensation for repetitive stress injuries.

Employers Can Reduce the Chance of Injury

The TDI resource referenced above spells out the steps employers can take to minimize their employees’ risk of developing an RSI. According to that state agency, they can do so by:

 

  • Ensuring their workers have ergonomic workstations, including appropriate devices or tools to assist them
  • Educating their staff on how to minimize the risk of RSIs
  • Giving their employees time to take breaks to stretch
  • Changing up tasks to ensure employees aren’t utilizing the same muscles all day

Workers' Comp and RSIs

Workers’ compensation typically provides benefits for workers who have developed repetitive stress injuries related to their work duties or tasks.

 

However, it’s not uncommon for workers’ comp insurers to require you to provide additional documentation proving your repetitive stress injury is job-related. Even if you do, they may even limit any payments you do receive on the grounds that your condition has improved, and you are able to return to work in at least some capacity.

 

Situations like this give you some insight into why injured workers often require the assistance of legal counsel when navigating workers’ compensation claims for repetitive stress injuries.

Contact Information for State Workers' Compensation Boards

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This website was created and is maintained by the legal team at Thomas Law Offices. Our attorneys are experienced in a wide variety of personal injury and work injury cases and represent clients on a nationwide level. Call us or fill out the form to the right to tell us about your potential case. We will get back to you as quickly as possible.