Repetitive motion injuries

Los Angeles Repetitive Motion Injury Lawyers

Workers’ Compensation for Cumulative Injuries

Often, when we think of workplace injuries, we think of specific injuries caused by one-time accidents and traumatic events. While these can and do occur, they are not the only type of work-related injury. Over time, cumulative stress and trauma caused by repetitive motions or prolonged activities can lead to serious bodily injuries and debilitating medical conditions.

The California workers’ compensation system recognizes repetitive motion injuries and provides benefits to covered employees who suffer a variety of such conditions due to work-related duties and activities. If you have sustained a repetitive motion injury that requires medical attention and prevents you from working, you are likely entitled to monetary benefits.

We invite you to reach out to our Los Angeles repetitive motion injury attorneys at the Barkhordarian Law Firm to learn more about filing a workers’ compensation claim and recovering your rightful benefits.

What Are Repetitive Motion Injuries?

Generally speaking, there are two types of injuries: traumatic injuries and cumulative injuries. While traumatic injuries result from single events, such as a fall, cumulative injuries occur due to repetitive stress and damage over time.

A repetitive motion injury—also known as a repetitive stress injury or repetitive strain injury (RSI)—is any bodily injury resulting from gradual damage to muscles, nerves, tendons, and other parts of the body caused by repetitive activities, gestures, or movements.

The Most Common Examples of Work-Related Repetitive Motion Injuries

Common examples of work-related repetitive motion injuries include:

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, located on the hand (palm), is compressed due to swelling in the wrist. This can affect sensation in the thumb and first three fingers (index, middle, and ring), leading to tingling (typically near the thumb), numbness, and weakness.
• Tennis Elbow: Commonly known as “tennis elbow,” lateral epicondylitis involves inflammation of the elbow joint due to overuse/repetitive trauma. This is a painful condition that can result in localized pain at the elbow or radiating pain extending down the forearm. Typically, pain worsens as the arm is fully extended.
• Tendonitis: Tendonitis is the inflammation/irritation of the tendons. While it can occur throughout the body, it is most common in the rotator cuff (shoulder). Rotator cuff tendonitis, also known as impingement syndrome, is commonly caused by gradual trauma to the rotator cuff tendons due to repetitive motions.
• Bursitis: Bursitis, or the inflammation of the bursae (fluid-filled sacs surrounding the joints), is a painful condition that can significantly limit mobility. Bursitis can affect various areas of the body, including the elbows, knees, hips, and heels. Symptoms of bursitis include swelling, redness, and pain.

While these injuries represent some of the most common repetitive motion injuries, they are not the only ones. If you have suffered any type of injury, medical condition, or occupational illness due to prolonged, gradual trauma, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.

What Are Common Causes of Work-Related Repetitive Motion Injuries?

Certain jobs require workers to sit or stand in the same position for hours; others require frequent repetitive motions that, over time, can lead to serious cumulative injuries and damage to the body.

Some of the most common causes of work-related repetitive motion injuries include:

• Typing
• Using a computer mouse
• Working on an assembly line
• Using a cash register
• Scanning items
• Using tools/machinery
• Frequent lifting of heavy objects
• Moving cargo/inventory
• Carrying heavy items
• Staying in one position for prolonged periods of time

Additionally, employees who experience certain workplace conditions are at a higher risk of developing repetitive motion injuries. Such conditions include inadequate ergonomics, cold temperatures, poor posture, lack of breaks, and more.

What Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are Available for Repetitive Motion Injuries?

In California, workers’ compensation provides benefits to any covered employee who is injured on the job or due to work-related activities. This includes repetitive motion injuries incurred over time.

If you suffered a repetitive motion injury at work or while carrying out any duties that benefitted your employer, you are likely entitled to benefits. The exact benefits you may be eligible to receive will depend on the specifics of your situation.

That being said, workers’ compensation provides the following benefits and more:

• Medical expenses
• Temporary disability
• Permanent disability
• Supplemental job displacement

If you need help with any aspect of your claim, from understanding what types of benefits you can expect to receive to filing the initial claim to appealing a denied claim, contact the Barkhordarian Law Firm. Our Los Angeles repetitive motion injury attorneys are happy to answer your questions and discuss the specifics of your case during a complimentary consultation and case evaluation.

How Long Do You Have To Notify Your Employer of an Injury?

If you suffer a work-related injury, including a repetitive motion injury, you are required to notify your employer of the injury within 30 days of the injury. In cases involving cumulative injuries, this 30-day time limit typically begins on the date the injury was discovered or reasonably could have been discovered. Generally speaking, this is usually the date on which your doctor diagnosed your repetitive motion injury.

How Long Do You Have To File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

Additionally, you only have one year to file a workers’ compensation claim, regardless of the type of work-related injury or illness. Again, in repetitive motion injury claims, this timeline typically begins on the date of diagnosis or the date on which the injury was discovered/reasonably could have been discovered. If you wait too long to notify your employer or file your claim, you could miss out on your opportunity to recover benefits.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late—Contact Our Firm Today

We encourage you to get in touch with our team right away. At the Barkhordarian Law Firm, we take great pride in providing clients throughout the Greater Los Angeles Area with compassionate, client-focused legal representation and aggressive advocacy, both in and out of the courtroom. Our attorneys are ready to fight for you.