Repetitive stress injuries (or RSIs) are injuries that occur from doing the same movement over and over, essentially overworking the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. RSIs are most common for people who work in jobs where they have to do repetitive or load-bearing tasks, like warehouse workers, truckers, and office workers. However, RSIs are also growing in frequency among teens who play sports or use computers for long periods.
In any situation, RSIs can make work and life uncomfortable; in the worst cases, damage from repetitive stress can impair your mobility for the rest of the your life. That's why it's important to speak with a Louisiana work injury lawyer as soon as possible to file a claim.
What Causes Repetitive Stress Injury?
Well, as the name implies, repetitive movement. The same movement, over and over and over, can overwork a tendon or muscle, which can then cause it to weaken and grow less useful over time. The most common repetitive strain injury is tendonitis, or inflammation in the tendons. Tennis elbow is the most well-known tendonitis, but any tendon can suffer from overuse. Tendonitis is rarely caused by disease, and is instead typically the result of mechanical overuse.
What Are the Symptoms of a Repetitive Stress Injury?
The symptoms of an RSI include:
- Tingling, numbness, or pain
- Stiffness in the neck or back
- Weakness in the hands, arms, or legs
- Repetitive popping or clicking
Any of these signs could indicate damage from repetitive stress. If you catch it early, the damage could be reversible.
Is a Repetitive Stress Injury My Employer's Fault?
In situations where workers are given a task that requires repetitive movement, their employers are responsible for ensuring they have adequate rest/break times as well as equipment to ease the load. If workers suffer injury or harm as a result of repetitive stress, then their employer is absolutely responsible for compensating them according to their losses.
Losses include:
- Surgical care
- Physical therapy
- Lost work time
- Lost future earnings
Clayton, Frugé & Ward can help. Speak with our firm today in a free consultation to learn your legal and financial options.