Orange County Repetitive Motion Injury Lawyer

Orange County Repetitive Motion Injury Attorney

When most people think of workers’ compensation, workplace accidents may come to mind. However, not all workplace injuries are the result of an incident, such as a slip and fall, machine malfunction, or another kind of accident. Some injuries slowly develop over time as a result of performing work-related tasks on a regular basis. An Orange County repetitive motion injury lawyer can help you assess your condition and understand your options.

Repetitive Motion Injury Lawyer in Orange County, CA

The team at the Canlas Law Group works diligently and proactively to provide legal representation and guidance to each of their clients. With individualized attention and focus, our attorneys have been helping injured workers in and throughout Orange County recover the claim benefits they deserve for their injuries.

If you’ve suffered a repetitive motion injury as a result of completing work-related tasks on a consistent basis, reach out to our team for a consultation to see how we can help you obtain the most favorable outcome in your case.

What Are Repetitive Motion Injuries?

Repetitive motion injuries build over time when individuals regularly perform the kinds of tasks that can have a stressful impact on the body. This occurs in contrast to regular injuries that occur all at once in an accident or other incident. Repetitive motion injuries are also known as repetitive stress injuries (RSIs), cumulative traumas, or repetitive strain injuries. Repeated motion of the hands, wrists, arms, or shoulders can lead to injuries that have both short-term and long-term effects.

What Are the Common Causes of Repetitive Motion Injuries?

It is important to understand that repetitive motion injuries develop slowly. When you engage in continued repetitive motions, microscopic tears in your muscle tissue or tendons can result in inflammation, which causes pain, swelling, stiffness, numbness, or weakness. Repetitive motion injuries can most commonly result from:

• Computer and keyboard use
• Assembly line work
• Repetitive reaching and bending
• Scanning groceries
• Precision tasks, like sewing or other detailed work
• Regular power tool use
• Staying in one place for extended periods of time

What Jobs Are Susceptible to Repetitive Motion Injury?

The following represent some industries and individual jobs in Orange County, CA, that are generally prone to the risk of repetitive motion injuries:

• Office and administrative work. Spending long hours typing, writing, or using a mouse or computer can develop conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and other repetitive motion injuries. Those without proper ergonomic support or adequate breaks can strain their wrists, hands, or arms while working in these environments.
• Manufacturing. Those who operate machinery and perform repetitive tasks are at risk for a higher incidence of repetitive motion injuries. Infrequent or insufficient breaks can exacerbate the issue and quickly lead to muscle and tendon strain.
• Assembly line work. Assembling parts off a line is an extremely repetitive task that can lead to long-term issues, especially if the work is done routinely over a prolonged period of time.
• Construction. Using some tools regularly, such as jackhammers, power tools, and other vibrating tools, can lead to hand-arm vibration syndrome. The physical intensity of the work can also lead to other musculoskeletal disorders as well.
• Healthcare. Nurses, aides, and other healthcare staff will frequently lift patients or perform extended surgical procedures, leading to back injuries, shoulder muscle strains, and other repetitive motion injuries. Healthcare workers undergo extensive physical demands, enduring awkward positions for extended periods of time.
• Retail work. Retail workers spend most of their hourly shifts performing various repetitive tasks, such as scanning items, stocking shelves, or lifting supplies and merchandise. Repetitive motion injuries are common in the retail industry, especially due to the lack of ergonomic work practices and inconsistent breaks.
• Warehousing. Warehouse employees lift, carry, and move items over and over for long shifts at a time. Because these are often heavier items, the potential strain is exacerbated all the more. Such strains can be caused in almost any part of the body, from the hands and arms to the back and legs.
• Maintenance and cleaning staff. Workers in the maintenance and cleaning sectors often perform repetitive motions, such as mopping, scrubbing, and sweeping, often at uncomfortable angles or in awkward positions. This leads to a variety of potential injuries.

Is Repetitive Motion Injury Covered by Workers’ Compensation?

California ensures that all workers are covered for any illnesses or injuries they sustain as a result of their employment or while performing their job duties. Employees are generally eligible for compensation for work-related:

• Accident injuries
• Mental illness and disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder
• Illnesses
• Cumulative injuries, such as repetitive motion injuries

Whether an injury occurs all at once as the result of a particular incident or accident or develops slowly over time does not affect coverage eligibility in workers’ compensation claims. However, if an injury develops slowly, it can be more difficult to demonstrably prove that it was the result of work-related activities. A repetitive motion injury attorney can use medical records and industry testimony to validate your claim and ensure that you are properly compensated.

It is important to report your injury to your employer as soon as you receive a diagnosis or otherwise become aware of your condition. As soon as symptoms appear, you should seek medical attention for a full examination. Detailed medical records can help with your claim. Records from your doctor or healthcare provider will function as the primary evidence in your case.

How Do You Prevent Repetitive Motion Injuries?

Not all injuries can be anticipated or prevented. Despite numerous safety measures and adequate training, employees suffer injuries every year. However, cumulative injuries, like repetitive motion injuries, can be relatively avoided through adequate preventative techniques and practices. These include:

• Proper ergonomics. By focusing on reducing strain during activity, you can potentially eliminate excessive exertion, awkward postures, and repetitive motions. This is generally accomplished by appropriately designing and modifying workstations, methods, and tools to fit the individual.
• Limiting repetitive motions. When your job requires you to engage in generally repetitive tasks, it is helpful to try to vary the motions, take adequate breaks, and reposition yourself often. Changing your movements can have a significant impact on limiting repetition in your posture and motions.
• Adopting better work practices. Proper techniques, conditioning, and adequate training can have profound effects on reducing the number of injuries that employees experience. By utilizing correct lifting procedures and ergonomic workstations, you can reduce the strain otherwise caused by repetitive motion.
• Exercise. Finally, one of the most important and consistent preventative measures you can take is engaging in regular exercise and proper stretching. Regular stretching relieves tension and keeps muscles in good shape. You can stretch your body, your side, your shoulders, your arms, and your hands, including your wrists, fingers, and thumbs.

FAQs About Orange County Repetitive Motion Injury Attorney

How Do You Prove Repetitive Strain Injury?

Because repetitive strain injury does not result from a single incident but occurs over a longer period of time, it can be difficult to prove. However, you can provide medical records from your doctor or other healthcare providers as primary evidence for your claim. These records, and the medical testimony within them, can establish the direct connection between a worker’s injury and their employment. If you had a pre-existing injury, you can demonstrate that your work duties aggravated your condition.

How Long Does RSI Take to Heal?

A repetitive strain injury (RSI) can take various amounts of time to heal, depending on the nature and severity of the injury. Since most repetitive strain injuries involve the tendons, they can take at least two to three months to heal if healing conditions remain optimal. It is important to properly rest the injured area to allow it time to heal, and you should speak with a trusted medical professional about treatment.

How Do You Fix Repetitive Motion Injuries?

Fixing repetitive motion injuries will take considerable time, effort, and diligence. First, it is important to avoid doing the types of activities that caused your injury to begin with or aggravated its severity. Common treatments will require you to ice the injury periodically, adding compression and elevation while it heals. Since recovery time may require you to be out of work, it is important to ensure that your workers’ compensation claim will cover lost wages as well.

What Is an Example of a Repetitive Motion?

Repetitive motion can occur in almost any part of the body from a wide range of tasks. Repeated movement of the hand, wrist, arm, or shoulder can lead to injuries. This often happens for workers who type at a computer, scan groceries, work assembly lines, or do certain types of construction, such as hammering nails or using a jackhammer. Anything that requires frequent grasping or pinching, or the same back-and-forth movement, can lead to repetitive motion injuries.

Contact Your Orange County Repetitive Motion Injury Lawyer

If you’ve suffered a repetitive motion injury at work due to repeated work-related tasks or strain, you may be entitled to compensation. It is important that you work with an experienced and qualified lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your case. The attorneys at the Canlas Law Group are ready to provide you with personalized care and attention in your case, helping you obtain maximum compensation for your injuries. Contact our office today for a consultation.