Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Fremont represent victims of repetitive stress injuries at work in California. If you or a loved one has been under-compensated or received inadequate workers’ compensation benefits, our Fremont Workers’ Comp Attorneys will help you get the compensation you need. Contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Fremont today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
What is a Repetitive Stress Injury?
A repetitive stress injury (RSI) refers to damage done to your muscles, tendons, and nerves through repetitive motions and constant use. They can affect almost any movable part of the human body. The main causes of RSI are manual labor, office work, and the use of modern devices such as smartphones, gaming controllers, and tablets.
According to the Center for Disease Control, repetitive stress injuries are extremely common with nearly 50% of the workforce suffering from an RSI at some point in their careers. Some of the most common people affected by repetitive stress injuries include:
- Workers with physically demanding jobs
- Athletes
- Musicians
- People who sit at a desk or use a computer often
Does Workers’ Compensation Cover Repetitive Stress Injuries?
According to California law, all employees are guaranteed workers’ compensation coverage for any illness or injury incurred as a result of performing their job duties. Employers with at least one employee must maintain workers’ compensation coverage for their employees. Obtaining coverage for a repetitive stress injury can be more difficult than a standard impact injury such as a fractured wrist or a torn ligament. Repetitive stress injuries are injuries that form over long periods of time, so it can be challenging to prove to workers’ compensation that your daily job is what caused your repetitive stress injury.
Proving a Repetitive Stress Injury for a Workers’ Compensation Claim
Most repetitive stress injuries are musculoskeletal disorders, meaning your muscles, nerves, tendons, and ligaments are affected. Symptoms of RSI include numbness, tingling, or burning in the affected area. In worse cases, RSI can result in loss of mobility, function, or chronic pain in a particular area of your body.
Proving RSI is best done by getting your injury diagnosed by a medical professional. It is important to let your doctor know that your symptoms are job-related. Once you receive a diagnosis from your doctor, report your injury to your employer to begin the workers’ compensation process. If your claim is denied or you do not receive all the benefits you are entitled to, contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Fremont and we will ensure you receive full coverage from workers’ compensation, as well as investigate all other avenues of compensation on your behalf.
Do You Need A Lawyer for a Repetitive Stress Injury Workers’ Compensation Claim?
In California, if you are injured on the job, you will receive temporary disability benefits through workers’ compensation, even if you were at fault for causing the accident that led to your injury. To begin receiving temporary disability benefits you do not need a lawyer, but a lawyer can provide you with legal support if the following scenarios arise:
- Your claim is denied: if your worker’s compensation claim is denied, an attorney can help you appeal the decision and represent you through negotiations.
- Your claim is neglected: in some cases, injured workers can be left waiting for weeks or months for the workers’ compensation claim to be processed and to begin receiving benefits. This is unacceptable and a workers’ compensation attorney can help.
- Your benefits are inadequate: if you believe your workers’ compensation benefits do not cover all your medical bills, lost wages, or other expenses, an attorney can help you seek the full benefits you deserve.
- Permanent disability: in cases of permanent disability, disputes over the level of impairment or the amount of compensation can arise, requiring legal representation.
Contact a Repetitive Stress Injury Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in California
At Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Fremont, we recognize the risks of repetitive work over time and the damage it can do to a person’s body. We sacrifice the majority of our time at work, but we do not need to sacrifice our health in the process. If your workers’ compensation has been inadequate at covering your damages or providing you with the proper medical treatment, contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Fremont today for a free consultation and case evaluation. There are no upfront charges for our legal assistance and you won’t pay a cent unless we win your case.