A repetitive strain injury is a type of “wear and tear” injury caused by tedious motion, stress, or heavy lifting. People who sustain repetitive strain injuries on the job are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, but may need to comply with stricter processes than a typical case. Because the damage and cause of a repetitive strain injury are not as apparent as other injuries, an employee will need to provide substantial evidence to prove their injury was work-related.
Medical Examinations
Following a work injury, receiving medical attention is an essential step in the workers’ compensation process. A prompt medical examination is especially crucial in cases of repetitive strain injuries to establish the link between the injury and your job duties. The records maintained by your doctor will be the primary source of injury evidence in your workers’ compensation claim.
A medical expert can evaluate your injury and determine the cause based on the nature of your injury and your description of your occupational responsibilities. For example, typing is a common cause of carpal tunnel syndrome — so a doctor could identify a carpal tunnel injury diagnosis as work-related if the patient spends most of their day typing.
What is the Deadline for Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim for a Repetitive Strain injury?
Workers’ compensation claims are subject to a statute of limitations that defines the length of time an injured employee has to report their injury to their employer. It is best to report a work injury as soon as possible, and doing this can be easy if your employer witnesses a physical injury on the job site. Promptly reporting a repetitive strain injury can be difficult because the damage accumulates over time.
If you sustained a repetitive strain injury at work and would like to file a workers’ compensation claim, you must file the claim as soon as you determine work to be the cause of your injury. It’s possible that an injury you’ve had for a while may be linked to your job by your doctor during treatment, prompting you to file a claim. Whenever you discover that an injury is work-related, you must report it quickly to ensure the success of your workers’ compensation claim.
At Alvandi Law Group, P.C., our attorneys are dedicated to helping the victims of occupational injuries recover the workers’ compensation benefits they are entitled to. Contact us to discuss your case.
Send us a message or call (800) 980-6905 to schedule a free consultation with our legal team.