Work-Related Repetitive Motion Injuries & Your Georgia Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Doing the same motions or tasks day in and day out can wreak havoc on your body in the long run. Even a seemingly harmless and low-impact activity like typing at a computer or scanning products can cause your body to wear down over time.

When many people think of repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, they think of office and desk jobs. However, there are many other occupations that give rise to these common workplace injuries including construction workers, janitors and cleaners, cooks and kitchen staff, bus and truck drivers, doctors and nurses, dental hygienists, grocery store clerks and cashiers, and more.

Tendonitis, which is inflammation of the tendons (the tissue that connects muscles to bones), is one of the most common repetitive use injuries treated by doctors. In fact, common ailments such as tennis elbow (epicondylitis) and trigger finger (stenosing tenosynovitis) are actually caused by tendonitis.

Other common examples of repetitive motion injuries in the workplace and conditions related to cumulative trauma include:

In addition to these and other causes, there are many potential risk factors that can increase your risk of suffering a work-related RSI such as your personal health and fitness level, a pre-existing condition or injury, and even your emotional well-being. Not only might these factors make an injury more likely, but they can impact your ability to recover.

If an RSI is diagnosed early enough, your doctor may prescribe simple remedies to help alleviate your discomfort and help your body heal. These treatments may involve resting from the repetitive activity that is causing the injury, using heat/ice packs, and taking anti-inflammatory medicine. You may also be instructed to make ergonomic adjustments to your workspace to minimize further stress on your body and do conditioning exercises to strengthen the muscles.

However, if a repetitive use injury has progressed and pain persists, more drastic treatments may be required such as surgery, therapy, assistive devices, prescription medications, steroid injections, and the use of braces, splints or casts.

Depending on the type and severity of your repetitive stress injury, a number of medical professionals may be involved in your treatment and recovery journey — from orthopedic surgeons and neurologists to physical therapists, chiropractors and your primary care physician. An ergonomic specialist may also be brought in to help make your workspace more comfortable, or a vocational rehabilitation counselor might be needed to help you find different employment options that are within your capabilities.

The cost of all of these treatments from various medical professionals adds up quickly, which is where workers’ compensation can help.

Don’t wait until your pain and loss of functionality is severe before seeing a doctor. Your health and well-being are a top priority. Therefore, you should get a medical evaluation if you are experiencing any of the symptoms of a repetitive motion injury such as pain, tenderness, numbness, tingling, weakness or fatigue.

In Georgia, employers are permitted to provide a list of 6 authorized treatment physicians that injured workers must treat with, so your first step should be to notify your employer about your pain and get this list of approved healthcare providers. If your employer doesn’t have such a list, then you may treat with any doctor of your choosing.

Next, visit the approved doctor and explain your symptoms. Be honest and be sure the doctor understands what you do for work and how that might have caused your pain. Follow any treatment or prescriptions the doctor orders, and attend all follow-up appointments.

Your employer or a representative from their workers’ compensation insurance company should provide you with a Notice of Claim form (WC-14) and instructions on how to file your claim. In addition to submitting your completed form to the State Board of Workers’ Compensation, you must send a copy of the form to your employer and their workers’ compensation insurance carrier.

If your workers’ compensation claim is denied or delayed for any reason whatsoever, or you have questions about how to protect your legal rights, you should consult with an experienced Georgia workers’ compensation attorney near you. At Westmoreland Law, we’ll make sure that all the necessary information is filled out and submitted before the deadline, and we’ll negotiate with the insurance company to secure the maximum settlement possible in your case.