Employees hurt in major incidents often have immediate protection. They notify management of their injuries and may have to leave their shifts to seek treatment. Professionals hurt in on-the-job incidents often feel relatively confident about their eligibility for workers’ compensation. They initiate claims immediately afterward to pay for their medical treatment and replace lost wages with disability benefits.
Other workers may feel uncertain about their rights. When a professional develops a work-acquired medical condition rather than a traumatic injury, they may not understand if they qualify for workers’ compensation.
Many professionals perform the same job tasks repeatedly every day for hours. They may eventually develop repetitive strain injuries. These injuries may cause chronic pain, reduce strength and limit a worker’s range of motion. If job functions cause or worsen repetitive strain injuries, employees may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
Documentation is key in a complex claim
When there is no specific incident that causes an injury, workers often need medical evidence about their conditions. The diagnosis of a new repetitive strain injury during employment can potentially make an employee eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. However, there needs to be a clear connection between their job functions and the symptoms they developed.
If the condition existed prior to their employment, then they need documentation showing that the condition has worsened due to their job functions. In some cases, there may be questions about the origins of the injury. The professional may need to undergo a thorough evaluation. They may even need to appeal a denied benefits claim.
How workers’ compensation helps
Repetitive strain injuries are unlikely to improve without rest and treatment. Professionals need time away from work or new job responsibilities so that they don’t aggravate their existing conditions.
Disability benefits can replace lost wages during the leave of absence or supplement reduced wages due to light-duty job functions.
Workers’ compensation can also provide full medical coverage for necessary treatment. Surgery, medication and physical therapy are all eligible for coverage through workers’ compensation. Treatment can help workers control their symptoms, address physical damage to their bodies and even regain lost function.
Employees with repetitive strain injuries caused by their jobs or that were worsened by their jobs may need guidance and support as they pursue workers’ compensation benefits. Seeking professional assistance can help increase the chances of getting benefits and may allow workers to focus on their physical recovery until their condition improves.
