Every day, hardworking professionals perform the same motions over and over, putting tremendous strain on their bodies. Whether you're a worker doing assembly line tasks like our client and friend Heidi, an office professional typing at a keyboard, or a construction worker using vibrating power tools, these repetitive movements often cause debilitating injuries. At Monast Law Office, we understand how these injuries affect your ability to work and support your family.
If you're suffering from a repetitive strain injury caused by your job duties, you have the right to seek workers' compensation benefits—even though proving these claims can be challenging. Don’t worry—our experienced legal team will help you document the incident, explain your struggles, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Types of Work-Related Repetitive Strain Injuries
Your body's soft tissues—the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves—are remarkably resilient but not indestructible. Painful and debilitating conditions develop when the same movements stress these tissues day after day without adequate recovery time. The resulting inflammation and tissue damage make simple job tasks excruciating. What starts as minor discomfort often progresses until workers struggle to grip tools, lift objects, or maintain necessary postures. Even seemingly light activities like typing or using a mouse can become impossible as symptoms worsen.
The specific nature of a repetitive strain injury often correlates directly with a worker's regular job duties. Here are just a few examples we see in our clients at Monast Law Office:
- Manufacturing workers. They frequently experience tendonitis in their shoulders, elbows, and wrists. The constant reaching, gripping, and twisting motions put significant stress on tendons and joints.
- Delivery drivers. Many Amazon, FedEx, and UPS employees suffer from lower back strain, shoulder bursitis, and knee problems due to nonstop package handling and vehicle entry/exit. The repetitive lifting, carrying heavy items up several flights of stairs, and quick-paced delivery schedules place enormous stress on joints and muscles throughout the body.
- Construction workers. It’s common for these individuals to battle conditions like tennis elbow and rotator cuff injuries from using power tools and performing overhead work. The vibration and force required cause severe damage to soft tissues over time.
- Office professionals. Poor ergonomics combined with repetitive hand movements due to typing and using a computer mouse can compress the median nerve. This injury frequently results in carpal tunnel syndrome.
If Repetitive Strain Injuries Are Common, Why Might Your Workers’ Comp Claim Be Denied?
The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) often initially denies repetitive strain injury claims because these cases are more complex than sudden workplace accidents. Here are just a few of its arguments.
Difficulty Proving Work-Related Causation
Unlike a sudden workplace accident, repetitive strain injuries develop gradually over time. This often makes it challenging to definitively prove that your job duties—rather than hobbies, aging, or other activities—caused your condition. The BWC defines this process as demonstrating causality.
However, the agency may state that your injury stems from activities outside of work, especially if you participate in sports or have physically demanding hobbies.
Incomplete Medical Documentation
Many people try to push through the pain or treat symptoms with over-the-counter medications before seeking medical care. This delay in proper treatment creates gaps in your medical record that make it harder to prove your injury happened at work. Additionally, some healthcare providers may not thoroughly document how specific work activities contributed to your condition.
Preexisting Conditions and Age-Related Degeneration
The BWC could attribute your symptoms to these factors rather than your work activities. This is particularly common with conditions like arthritis that naturally worsen over time. However, Ohio law allows compensation when work duties aggravate or accelerate a preexisting condition.
Missing the Reporting Deadline
Many workers don't realize they need to report repetitive strain injuries as soon as they become aware of them. Instead, they often wait until the condition becomes severe enough to interfere with their ability to work. This delay might exceed Ohio's statute of limitations for filing workers' compensation claims, resulting in automatic denial.
Lack of Ergonomic Assessment
Without a professional evaluation of your workstation and job duties, it can be difficult to demonstrate how specific tasks contributed to your injury. The BWC may argue that proper ergonomic practices, especially in office environments where ergonomic equipment was available, would have prevented your condition.
Insufficient Evidence of Modified Duty Attempts
The BWC expects injured workers to attempt modified duty when available. Your claim could be denied if you haven't tried workplace accommodations or modified techniques to reduce strain. This is particularly relevant for repetitive strain injuries where simple modifications might prevent further damage.
How a Skilled Workers' Compensation Lawyer Can Help You
Don't let repetitive strain injuries end your career. At Monast Law Office, we have over 30 years of experience helping injured workers pursue the compensation they deserve. We overcome these obstacles by thoroughly documenting your claim and presenting compelling medical evidence that establishes your need for repetitive strain injury compensation. We’ll also be by your side at hearings before the Industrial Commission.
