Recognizing Stress Injuries Sustained on the Job

Not all injuries are sustained in isolated accidents. Sometimes, injuries develop over time through the repetitive overuse of one area of the body. This kind of accident is known as a repetitive strain injury. Repetitive strain injuries affect the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves throughout the body. If you are suffering from a repetitive strain injury due to the conditions in your workplace or the demands of your job, you could be entitled to receive monetary compensation for your damages associated with the injury through a workplace injury claim. Damages you can collect for through this type of claim include compensation for your medical bills, your lost wages due to time off to recover, and the intangible expenses associated with an injury like the need for pain relievers.

The symptoms of a repetitive strain injury include the following:

• Muscle stiffness in the affected area;
• Pain;
• Cramping; and
• A sensation of pins and needles in the affected area.

When you feel these symptoms, do not put more pressure on the affected part. Instead, stop what you are doing and document your pain with the date and time it occurred. Consider taking an over-the-counter painkiller the temporarily relieve your pain.

The best way to prevent a repetitive strain injury is to take small precautions during your workday that keep you from putting too much stress on any particular body part. If you work at a computer, using an ergonomic chair and desk setup and taking regular breaks to walk around can reduce your chance of back or wrist injury.

If you lift and carry heavy objects at work, wear a back brace to support your back. Avoid lifting objects that are too heavy for you to comfortably carry. Practice team lifting and lifting from the knees, rather than the back, to reduce your chance of injury.

Repetitive strain injuries are often treated through a combination of medical care and self-directed care. A doctor may prescribe pain medication, physical therapy, or occupational therapy to a patient to aid in his or her recovery. In some cases, the patient may need surgery.

For the patient, treating a repetitive strain injury requires rest, slow, focused exercise of the affected area, and lifestyle changes that promote recovery. One of these lifestyle changes is increasing his or her water intake and avoiding foods that make inflammation worse, like refined sugar and dairy products.

If you are suffering from a stress injury due to the conditions present in your workplace, consider working with an experienced workplace accident lawyer to file and pursue a workplace accident claim. Our team of experienced San Jose workplace accident lawyers at Corsiglia, McMahon, & Allard, L.L.P. can help you determine whether you have grounds for a claim and if so, the most effective way to pursue your claim. Contact our firm today to schedule your initial consultation with us. We proudly serve clients throughout the Bay Area, San Mateo County, Alameda County, San Benito County, Monterey County, and Santa Clara County.

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