CHARLESTON IL REPETITIVE STRESS INJURY ATTORNEYS
Secure Fair Compensation For Your Overuse Injuries In Coles County And Throughout Central Illinois
Whether you perform heavy physical labor or work in an office job, you likely repeat the same actions multiple times a day—if not an hour. This is precisely the type of situation in which a repetitive stress injury (RSI) may form. Though at first, RSIs may not seem any more serious than the minor aches and pains that are a normal part of life, these injuries can prevent you from performing your job and even cause lasting harm if you don’t get the treatment you need.
Workers who suffer RSIs because of their work duties may be able to secure compensation for treatment and missed wages through a workers’ compensation claim. Our attorneys can take you through the process, step by step, and advise you on how to maximize your settlement. Dealing with any insurer can be frustrating, and if you have been injured, we want to make sure you can put your energy toward healing. Reach out to our team today to learn how we can help you.
Call Spiros Law, P.C. at (217) 516-3451 to schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled attorneys. We serve workers in Charleston, Central Illinois, and Beyond.
What Causes Repetitive Stress Injuries?
As their name suggests, RSIs are caused by performing the same task or multiple similar tasks on a regular basis. Though we typically do not think about it, our daily actions place small amounts of stress on our musculoskeletal system. This includes our:
- Muscles
- Tendons
- Ligaments
- Nerves
- Blood vessels
Our bodies heal from stressors during our downtime—but some workers may not have adequate downtime during the day, or may have duties that cause more stress than the body can cope with. Repetitive stress injuries form in these environments. Job activities often linked to RSIs include:
- Lifting heavy items
- Bending
- Reaching overhead
- Pushing or pulling heavy loads
- Working in awkward body postures
Unfortunately, many jobs require these or other repetitive activities, leaving many workers nursing serious injuries. If you are in this position, taking legal action may help you recover.
Repetitive Stress Injury May Be More Common Than You Think
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks worker injury every year, and around 3 of every 10 cases that require an employee to take time off to recover are RSIs. This means hundreds of thousands of Americans suffer work-related RSIs each year. Some industries are even known as high-risk occupations when it comes to these injuries:
- Registered nurses, nursing assistants, and psychiatric aides
- Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
- Production workers
- Freight, stock, and material movers
- Firefighters and prevention workers
- Police and sheriff patrol officers
- Truck and delivery service drivers
- Bus drivers
- Trash or recyclable material collectors
- Janitors and cleaners
- Maids and housekeepers
- Maintenance and repair workers
- Telecommunications line installers and repairers
- Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
- Stock clerks and order fillers
If your occupation is known for causing RSI, it may be easier for you to prove the links between your injury and your job. However, even if you work in an industry or position not listed above, you can still make a claim. Any worker can suffer an RSI. Every worker who gets one deserves help.
Recognizing Repetitive Stress Injuries
As we mentioned previously, RSIs tend to develop over time. Workers, therefore, may not immediately recognize their symptoms as indicators of a serious injury, much less one that is related to their job. However, if you suffer the following symptoms after engaging in repetitive motions in the workplace, you should see a doctor to determine whether you have a serious injury:
- Reduced range of motion in shoulder, neck, or back
- Pain in wrists, forearms, elbows, neck, or back
- Swelling or stiffness in joints
- Decreased range of joint motion
- Weakness in hands or forearms
- Tingling, numbness, or loss of sensation
- Cramping
- Hypersensitivity
- Fatigue or lack of endurance compared to past performance
- Clumsiness or lack of control/coordination
Workers may become more aware of a body part that is suffering an RSI, even if it does not register as being in pain. They may find themselves massaging sore body parts or simply finding ways to avoid using them. Typically, symptoms will appear when you engage in that repetitive motion, but in some cases, you may also feel the effects later—even after work.
Talking to a doctor as soon as you notice a potential RSI is one of the most important things you can do. Many insurers will try to fight these claims by blaming the injury on other activities you take part in, outside of work. With a doctor’s help, you can pinpoint and document when the pain started and which activities make it worse.
When Should I File A Repetitive Stress Injury Claim?
According to the BLS, workers who suffer RSIs need more time off—a median of 13 days—to recover. Missing this much work can strain anyone’s finances, and workers who are out due to injuries may also have significant medical bills. Our Coles County attorneys can help you file a workers’ compensation claim for:
- Sprains and strains
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Epicondylitis
- Lower back injury
- Nerve compression injury
Along with costs for your initial medical treatment and a portion of your lost wages, you may be able to recover compensation for treatments like occupational and physical therapy, medications or devices to help manage the pain, and other related needs.
Start Your Claim With Us
Our attorneys in Central Illinois want to make sure you receive the full amount of compensation for which you are eligible. We can help you identify damages you may not have known could be included in a claim. We can also take steps to strengthen your case by gathering and preserving evidence. Handling the minutiae of an insurance claim while you are injured can add more stress to an already difficult time. With our help, you can focus on your recovery, knowing our team is fighting for you.
Spiros Law, P.C. focuses first and foremost on your needs when you ask us for help. Our team gets to know every client individually and provides regular updates and context to help them understand what’s happening and what to expect with their case. If you are looking for a lawyer who cares about making sure you get the help you need, call our team today to schedule a free consultation.