The Real Risk of Repetitive Stress Injuries in the Workplace

While they may not be as obvious as being in a vehicle accident or breaking a bone, repetitive stress injuries, also called repetitive motion injuries, comprise a significant number of occupational injuries. In fact, repetitive stress injuries include over one hundred different types of job-related injuries and illnesses caused by repeated wear and tear on the body. These types of injuries are also on the rise, accounting for nearly 60 percent of all job-related injuries.

If you are a worker in Atlanta who has sustained a repetitive stress injury because of your employment, you are entitled to compensation. Consult a qualified workers’ compensation attorney to find out more about what you can do to file a claim.

Who Is At Risk of Repetitive Stress Injuries?

The increased use of computers in the workplace is one of the biggest contributors to the rise in repetitive stress injuries among workers. However, even persons who do not use computers could develop repetitive stress injuries. Primary risk factors for developing these types of injuries include poor posture, poor technique, and overuse. Any worker that continually does a repetitive task could be at risk, including the following:

• Office workers or others that use computers – The modern day workplace is full of computers and workers typing away for hours a day. Consequently, these workers show the highest rate of repetitive stress injuries.

• Grocery checkers who scan barcodes – These workers are disproportionately treated for repetitive stress injuries in the extremities, including hands, wrists, and elbows.

• Any occupations that require fixed positions – Workers that spend a prolonged time sitting or standing, gripping or grasping, or holding any position may be at risk for repetitive stress injuries. Occupations range from front desk operators to airline mechanics.

• Workers completing a variety of repetitive tasks – writing, driving, musicians, butchering or meat packing, sawing and cutting, jackhammering, pipe setting, stocking shelves, and assembly line work, amongst others.

Common repetitive stress injuries sustained include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, trigger finger, bursitis, ganglion cyst, and tenosynovitis.

Symptoms of Repetitive Stress Injuries

Because repetitive stress injuries can affect such a wide array of workers and take some time to develop and identify, it is important for workers to understand the symptoms.

The sooner a repetitive stress injury is diagnosed, the easier it is to prevent further aggravation of the injury. Any worker experiencing the following symptoms could have an injury:

• Sharp or dull pain in their limbs;
• A tingling, numbness, or loss of sensation;
• Getting fatigued easily;
• Feeling of heaviness in the hands or other limb;
• Increased clumsiness; and
• Less control or coordination.  

Repetitive stress injuries can make even simple tasks very difficult so prevention is key. Both employers and government are working to reduce the number of repetitive stress injuries by creating more controlled work environments and focusing on the risk factors.

Need Workers’ Compensation?

Living and working with a repetitive stress injury is painful, with even the simplest tasks being a struggle. If you are an Atlanta worker that has developed a repetitive stress injury through the course of your employment, you deserve to be compensated. Call Workers Compensation Lawyers to speak to an Atlanta workers’ compensation attorney about your options. We will answer any questions you have and help get the most out of your workers’ compensation insurance claim.

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