In California, there may be preconceived notions about workplace injuries. Frequently, these are associated with laborious work in which a person is physically exerting him or herself with multiple tasks. However, people who work in jobs where they simply need to do the same thing over and over can also suffer injuries. These are known as repetitive use injuries and can warrant workers’ compensation benefits.
There may not seem to be much in common between office workers, those in the service industry and construction workers. Still, people who work in these disparate types of employment can be afflicted with injuries from repetitive motion. As time passes, they might experience muscular pain, tendon issues and achy bones. Surveys indicate that up to 20% of workplace injuries are of the repetitive motion variety.
The requirements for the job are fundamental to the claim. An example is carpal tunnel syndrome. This may happen to people who need to type on a keyboard for work or perform duties with their hands and fingers. If the person had a previous job where the problem started, it may be possible to get benefits after starting a new job that exacerbated the injury. The injury being aggravated from the new job can still warrant benefits even if the condition was already in place.
Regardless of the cause of the workplace injuries, those who are diagnosed with repetitive motion issues and cannot work should understand how to be approved for workers’ compensation benefits. Since these cases are often based on a worker’s claims that he or she is in pain, the employer or insurer might try to deny benefits or question the severity of the injury. It is important to be protected throughout the process. Legal advice may be essential to a case.