As you know, workers’ compensation helps employees obtain medical care and replace their lost wages when workplace injuries occur. Some injuries are relatively easy to prove because they are the result of specific events. For example, it is easy to show how falling and breaking your arm occurred while performing your work duties.
Continuous or cumulative trauma injuries are more elusive when it comes to proof. These injuries develop over time, making it hard for the worker and a doctor to prove the injury is work-related.
Types of cumulative workplace injuries
If you repeat the same motions regularly while working, cumulative injuries may arise. Office workers often suffer these injuries because they type every day or perform other repetitive movements. However, other workers can also incur cumulative workplace injuries. For example, a factory employee working on a production line also performs the same work frequently and may suffer cumulative trauma to their hands, knees, or other joints.
Examples of continuous trauma injuries include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (nerve compression)
- Rotator cuff injuries (tendonitis of the shoulder)
- Tendonitis or tennis elbow (microtears or inflammation of tendons)
- Raynaud’s syndrome (narrowing of small arteries)
- Some back injuries from repetitious movements
In our time helping injured residents in and near Redding, California, we have learned much about cumulative workplace injuries. We know that workers’ compensation insurance adjusters often deny these types of claims even when they are valid.
In many cases, we were able to help these workers access their workers’ comp benefits by preparing their claims or appealing denied claims. When you work with a legal professional who understands workers’ compensation laws and procedures, you may have a better chance of claim approval. We invite you to continue reviewing our website to discover ways of strengthening your claim and getting the benefits you deserve.