Repetitive Stress Injury Lawyer in Long Island City

Repetitive stress injuries are very common and can range in severity from moderate to severe. Many workers don’t even realize that they are suffering from a repetitive stress injury until their initial discomfort turns into pain. When these injuries occur due to repetitive motions in the workplace, you may have the ability to recover compensation.

At Shulman HIll in Long Island City, our repetitive stress injury lawyers offer legal assistance so you can heal from repetitive stress injuries and seek the damages they are entitled to receive. If these injuries occurred because of work, then you may have the right to receive workers’ compensation. However, many claims are denied every year. We can work on your behalf, pursuing fair compensation while you rest and recover.

Call 516.613.3196 or contact us online to learn more.

What Are Repetitive Stress Injuries?

Any injury that occurs due to repetitive motion or lack of motion is a repetitive stress injury. One myth surrounding repetitive stress injuries is that they only occur at strenuous physical jobs. The truth is these types of injuries can happen to anyone who makes the same movements daily.

Sitting at a computer for a full workday can lead to just as many back, wrist, and shoulder injuries as working at a construction site. While injuries sitting at a desk may not be as severe as those suffered by someone working a physically taxing job, you can still seek compensation.

Steps to Take to Seek Workers’ Compensation After a Repetitive Stress Injury

If you’ve suffered a repetitive stress injury at work, you should be able to receive workers’ compensation benefits. This can be a long process and one that will require you to prove that the injuries you suffered were a result of activities at work. When you suffer a repetitive stress injury, you should:

• Notify your employer
• Speak with a doctor
• Consult an attorney

Notifying Your Employer

When you notice a repetitive stress injury, it is important that you notify your employer about it promptly. You need to do this in writing, explaining all the details of the injury, including when you first noticed the injury and the type of injury you are suffering from.

By putting this information in writing and noting the date that you informed your employer, you are making it clear that your employer is aware of your injury should a lawsuit come about later. Keep a copy of this document.

Seeing a Doctor

When you suffer a repetitive stress injury at work, you should make an appointment with a doctor. This will make a record of when you sought medical help for your injury, and it will allow the doctor to make a professional judgment about how the injury occurred, whether it was work-related, and how to treat it.

Consulting With an Attorney

The workers’ comp process surrounding repetitive stress injuries is not straightforward. These injuries can often mimic those suffered outside the workplace, and it can sometimes be difficult to prove that the injuries resulted from what took place at work.

Consulting with an attorney can help you ensure that you have all the documentation you need for your case to be successful. Repetitive stress injuries are common, and companies are inclined to fight them when they arise. Working with an attorney can put you in the best position to seek the benefits that you deserve.

Causes of Repetitive Stress Injuries

What causes your injury depends on the type of work you do. For instance, a construction worker’s injuries may occur because of lifting heavy materials, while an office administrator may become injured from being sedentary.

Types of Jobs at Risk

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, workers in state and local government reported 5.8 cases of repetitive stress injuries per 100 people, the most of any sector in New York State. The next highest sector was in education and health services, where 4.1 of every 100 full-time workers reported a case.

These occupations lead to the most repetitive stress injuries, but any job can put you at risk. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) lays out different ways that workers can best avoid traumatic injuries by taking breaks and other safety measures.

No matter what job you do, it’s important that you know the safety guidelines issued by government entities. This will ensure you‘re doing everything you can to prevent any serious injuries over the long term.

Other Repetitive Stress Injury Statistics

In 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that there were 2.2 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time workers in the state of New York. This was below the national average of 2.7. New York was one of just 11 states to be below the national average.

How Shulman & Hill Can Help You

At Shulman & Hill, our clients are our priority, and we want to ensure that they receive the compensation they deserve for their injuries. With our team of lawyers, you can have peace of mind knowing that we’re doing everything we can to see you recover optimal compensation.

Preparation is key in obtaining workers’ compensation for a repetitive stress injury. Before filing a workers’ comp claim or third-party lawsuit, you must compile a list of facts surrounding your case. This will help prove that your repetitive stress injuries happened in the workplace.

When seeking compensation, you should:

• Have a record of all medical bills and treatment you’ve sought for the injury
• Have a record of when the pain started and when the injury got worse
• Ask your doctor about any loss of feeling or strength in the injured area, and ask that these concerns be noted in the official record
• Show a record of the conversations you had with your employer regarding the injury

Common Examples of Repetitive Stress Injuries

Repetitive stress injuries generally affect the musculoskeletal system. Injuries typically occur to ligaments, joints, and tendons. According to the Cleveland Clinic, repetitive stress injuries most commonly affect your:

• Fingers
• Wrists
• Elbows
• Arms
• Shoulders
• Knees

The type of work you do will determine which type of injury you’re most at risk for. Repetitive stress injuries tend to start out as minor inconveniences and can often be overlooked. However, if they go untreated for a long time, then they could lead to painful conditions, including:

• Tendinitis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tennis elbow
• Osgood-Schlatter disease
• Back strains and sprains
• Shin splints
• Trigger finger
• Stress fractures
• Ganglion cysts
• Nerve compression syndromes
• Herniated discs
• Bursitis

To prevent repetitive stress injuries from worsening, it’s important to know the related signs and symptoms. These injuries can be hard to immediately identify because the symptoms include pain, swelling, numbness, weakness, and stiffness, which can often describe everyday minor aches and pains.

However, if you suffer these symptoms for more than a few days, or they get worse, you should seek the care of a doctor as quickly as possible to begin treatment and prevent permanent damage.

Contact the Repetitive Stress Injury Lawyers of Shulman & Hill in Long Island City Today

Suffering a work-related injury can be stressful. You need to work to make money and provide for your family, but work is what is causing you harm in the first place. You need time away from the job, but you need to make sure you are properly compensated as well. After doing some research, you might be worried your claim could be denied.

Our repetitive stress injury attorneys in Long Island City can help. At Shulman & Hill, we strive to achieve the best outcome for our clients. We use our knowledge of New York law and the workers’ compensation claims system to help our clients file a claim, lawsuit, or both all while they heal from their injuries. When you need assistance from a personal injury lawyer, call us. You can schedule your free consultation today at 516.613.3196 or right on our website.