The days of people thinking that repetitive stress injuries are not a big deal are over with. We know that they are serious work injuries that can impact the worker, company productivity, and overall costs. While most repetitive stress injuries are preventable with proper workplace practices, we know that many employers still do not take the necessary steps to keep their workers safe.
A few lines from an article about RSIs underscores the importance of taking care of these issues quickly:
“Symptoms usually develop gradually with the injury progressing in stages ranging from mild to severe, eventually causing longer periods of pain. Without treatment, the symptoms can become constant and impede job performance or even light duties. At this stage, the condition may be irreversible.“
At Hiden, Rott & Oertle, LLP, we want to help if you have sustained an injury like this at work. When you need a San Diego work injury attorney, contact us today.
What Can Happen
We know that the Bureau of Labor Statistics says that there were 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries or illnesses reported last year. Many people think about traumatic injuries when they think of workplace injuries. If we take a close look at some of the injuries that cause people to miss days of work and the top three causes of those injuries, we see that the problems go beyond visible trauma:
- Overexertion (34%)
- Contact with objects and equipment (25%)
- Slips, trips, and falls (25%)
There are many occupational injuries that are not noticed until as much as years down the line. These injuries can be repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome that develop over time. Anyone who works a job that has them performing the same motions over and over again is susceptible to an RSI.
Think about the following jobs:
- Manufacturing
- Shelf stockers
- Cashiers
- Receptionists
- Assembly-line workers
- Construction worker
All of these occupations, and many others have workers that perform the same motions over and over again. Repetitive stress injury claims are denied more often than others because they are harder to pinpoint on an actual workplace activity.
Employers who have workers that perform activities that leave workers susceptible to these injuries need to put measures in place to keep them from happening. This may mean changing the work environment to be more ergonomically friendly or ensuring that workers take more breaks.
Your Next Call
We know that you are not sure what your next steps are or even how you will continue to support yourself and your family. At Hiden, Rott & Oertle, LLP, we want to make sure you know all of your options.
- Has your workers’ compensation claim for an RSI been denied?
- Did you lose your job for reporting an RSI?
- Were your injuries caused by unsafe working conditions?
We want to make sure you have the compensation you need for all of your injury-related expenses so you can continue to care for your family. When you need a San Diego work injury attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling our office.