Depending on your line of work, there’s a good chance that you perform many of the same physical actions day in and day out at your job. Whether that’s operating a machine press or simply typing on a computer, these repetitive tasks, even if they aren’t all that physically demanding in the moment, can take a toll on your body over the course of months, years or decades on the job. While acute injuries in the office get most of the headlines, repetitive stress injuries also affect hundreds of thousands of workers every year.
Because there isn’t always a clear and obvious moment of injury with a repetitive stress injury, it can be more challenging to have your claim approved by your company’s workers’ compensation provider. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some of the obstacles you may encounter when working to win a repetitive stress injury claim, and we share some tips for overcoming these potential issues.
Common Threats To Your RSI Work Claim
There are a number of reasons why the insurance company may be hesitant to take your word as truth in regards to your repetitive stress injury. Here’s what might get in your way en route to a successful claim:
Gradual Onset – Many repetitive stress injuries like tendonitis or carpal tunnel develop slowly over time, meaning there isn’t always an obvious moment of injury. If a stack of pallets falls on your foot, you can point to a specific accident, but if pain develops gradually over time, it can be harder to prove the existence of a work-related injury.
Outside Influences – The insurance company may argue that activities outside of work contributed to your injuries. For example, if you regularly use a laptop at home or you play pickleball on the weekends, the insurance company may claim that your wrist or elbow pain is actually tied to non-work activities, and thus you aren’t eligible for compensation.
Natural Aging – The insurance company may also argue that your discomfort is nothing more than the effects of the natural aging process. Our bodies all experience some natural degeneration over the years, but if your discomfort has been worsened by your work habits, you should still be eligible for compensation.
Countering These Reasons For Denial
You have two incredibly helpful resources when it comes to proving your RSI claim, and those are your treating physician and your lawyer.
For starters, a medical professional can prove essential in many ways. Not only can they prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that your injuries do in fact exist, but they can also issue a professional opinion as to whether the injuries were caused or exacerbated by your work duties. Despite how they may feel, if the insurance company is given clear evidence as to the existence and relevance of a work injury by a physician, it’s going to be a lot harder for them to deny your claim based on issues with the injury itself. Sync up with a physician as soon as symptoms develop so that your injuries can be professionally documented.
The other professional you’ll want in your corner when working to prove a repetitive stress injury is a lawyer. They will be able to review the evidence and develop a clear and concise claim that showcases that you are indeed entitled to workers’ compensation. How you frame your award and the benefits you push for is incredibly important, and if you don’t have any familiarity with the system, you may end up leaving money on the table. Let us help get you every penny you deserve for your repetitive stress injury.
For more information about RSIs in the workplace or your right to injury compensation, reach out to the team at Hey Workers today at (844) 439-9675.
