Injuries sustained in a workplace can be specific, such as slip-and-fall injuries or cumulative injuries that take time. Cumulative trauma injuries develop over time and are caused by repetitive physical or mental activities that happen over a long period. Cumulative trauma injuries can cause a disability or the need for medical care.
According to a recent report, cumulative trauma claims have been on the rise in recent years. It shows how big an issue this has become, and if you are a worker, you may want to check if you are a victim of cumulative trauma. Some common examples of such injuries include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome affects the nerves on the wrists and causes pain or numbness on your hand
- Tendonitis, a condition that causes inflamed tendons
- Back injuries, as a result of sitting for long hours or carrying loads
- Golfer’s elbow, which causes pain on the inner side of the elbow, among others
All these injuries have one common aspect: they result from repetitive stress on the affected body part.
You have a right to workers’ compensation for cumulative trauma injuries
In some cases, employees try to avoid compensating for continuous trauma injuries, most likely because they develop over time. However, if you are a victim of these kinds of injuries, you have a right to get compensated for them. After all, they are just like other work injuries, with the difference being the time taken to manifest.
It is important to proceed with full knowledge of the law to ensure a successful outcome. For instance, there is a time limit in California beyond which you cannot seek legal recourse for your work injuries. Knowing more about workers’ compensation laws will help your case and secure your interests in your pursuit of justice.