Michigan workers who use repetitive motion in their jobs – such as those who work in factories and assembly plants – are at high risk for repetitive motion injuries. Repetitive stress injuries can be both painful and debilitating.
Workers who are injured on the job typically are eligible to pursue workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation will cover a portion of lost wages, medical care and vocational rehabilitation.
Types and Causes of Repetitive Motion Injuries
Repetitive motion injuries – also known as repetitive stress injuries (RSI), cumulative stress trauma (CST) and cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) – can be either temporary or permanent.
Repetitive motion injuries are caused by doing the same thing over and over. The repetition damages muscles, nerves, tendons and ligaments.
Cumulative stress trauma can be quite painful, in addition to causing numbness, weakness, burning sensations and other discomforts. Injuries include:
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Tendonitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Degenerative disc disease
- DeQuervain’s disease
- Trigger finger
- Raynaud’s syndrome/white finger
People who work in factories and on assembly lines, using equipment such as air pneumatic tools, assembly equipment and other factory equipment that requires repeated motion, are particularly susceptible to cumulative stress trauma.
Legal Options for Workers With Cumulative Trauma Disorder
Treatment for repetitive motion injuries can be extensive, involving physical therapy, pain management, exercises and even surgery. All of these can be expensive to implement.
If the repetitive motion injury arose from duties at work, workers’ compensation is likely to be an option. Workers’ compensation will pay for partial lost wages, medical care, and vocational treatment.
There are important steps to take when you have been injured at work. Preserve your legal rights by:
- Notifying your employer
- Obtaining prompt medical care
- Keeping thorough records of your injury and treatment
- Speaking with an attorney who specializes in workers’ compensation
An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can inform you of your legal rights and make sure that you obtain the benefits you are entitled to by law.
