A work injury after an accident is easy to notice. A work injury that slowly develops over years is something that you could easily ignore. However, a significant number of people with work-acquired medical issues have cumulative trauma rather than a sudden traumatic injury.
Repetitive stress injuries often start small. At first, you might notice painful symptoms at the end of your shift or when you try to do chores around the house after work. Eventually, you will feel discomfort and pain throughout a significant portion of your shift. Then the pain will increase, or you will notice an impact on your strength and range of motion.
Repetitive stress can damage your body
Whether you have to grip tools all day or you work in an office, you may need to engage in certain repetitive motions. Those repetitive motions performed while doing your job can cause repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome.
Will workers’ compensation cover an injury that occurs over time?
Yes, repetitive stress injuries can qualify for benefits
Workers’ compensation doesn’t just protect those hurt in an accident at work. It also protects those who develop medical conditions because of their job. Illnesses related to chemical exposure can qualify for benefits, as can repetitive stress injuries.
Workers can receive full medical coverage for necessary treatment until they achieve maximum medical improvement for the condition. They can also receive temporary disability benefits or permanent partial disability benefits if they need to change their profession. Understanding the workers’ compensation benefits you can receive after getting hurt at work and what injuries qualify can make filing a claim easier.