When most people think of work-related injuries, they often imagine a single, unforeseen, life-altering incident, such as a slip and fall, an auto accident, or equipment malfunction. However, it’s possible for workers to sustain injuries over time as a result of the nature of their job. From construction laborers to office workers, employees are required to perform certain manual and physical tasks repeatedly throughout the course of their employment. As such, these individuals are exposed to a considerable risk of incurring repetitive stress injuries (RSIs). These injuries can lead to numbness, pain, inflexibility, and a loss of strength, which render victims incapable of fulfilling the duties of their position. Given the potential consequences, workers in Maryland need to understand whether they can pursue a workers’ compensation claim based on these injuries. Please continue reading to learn when you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits and how a knowledgeable Prince George’s County Work Injury Lawyer can help you safeguard your rights.
What Are Repetitive Stress Injuries?
Repetitive stress injuries, also known as repetitive motion injuries, include damage to muscles, nerves, ligaments, and tendons caused by performing the same motion repeatedly. Repeated use of particular body parts can damage a muscle or muscle group faster than it can repair itself, leading to injury. Certain activities can increase your risk for RSIs, such as using a computer keyboard, lifting heavy objects, playing a musical instrument, playing sports, or working on an assembly line. Repetitive stress injuries often lead to the following conditions:
- Tendinitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Trigger finger
- Tennis elbow
- Back strains
- Shin splints
Am I Entitled to Workers’ Compensation?
If you’ve suffered a repetitive stress injury, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Under Maryland law, workers’ compensation covers occupational diseases. Repetitive stress injuries are treated as a type of occupational disease arising due to the unique hazards associated with a specific work. Many assume that because these injuries were not sustained during one singular event but accumulated over time, they are ineligible to seek monetary compensation for the damages they’ve endured. However, as long as you can prove that the injuries occurred “out of and in the course of” your job., the injury must occur while performing a task that falls within the scope of your employment.
Most repetitive stress injuries involve body parts like hands, shoulders, knees, and back, which are used constantly in everyday life. As a result, it can be challenging to prove that a condition originated from work and not from one of the many daily activities you perform with the affected body part. Therefore, it’s in your best interest to enlist the help of an experienced Prince George’s County work injury lawyer who can help you fight for the funds you deserve.
If you’ve experienced a repetitive stress injury, please don’t hesitate to contact Timian & Fawcett, LLC, who can help guide you through each step of the legal process ahead.
