Some jobs are varied, with many tasks and responsibilities that provide workers with an interesting day. Others, however, require workers to do the same thing, day in and day out. After years of this type of work, the repeated motions can manifest in severe injuries and long-term health effects – but there is recourse for Florida workers. Today, we will look at repetitive motion injuries, some of the most common injuries experienced by Florida workers in physically demanding jobs.
Florida Repetitive Motion Injuries
Repetitive motion injuries (RMIs) occur when continuous, repeated movements cause minor but incremental damage to the body’s muscles, tendons, ligaments, or nerves. These injuries happen gradually as small tears accumulate in the affected tissue, which the body cannot heal quickly. Without time to heal, ongoing stress leads to inflammation and can result in long-term damage if not properly addressed. RMIs are common in physical jobs like assembly line workers, but they are also risky for workers engaging in repetitive hand or arm movements, such as typing.
One of the most common types of RMIs is tendonitis. Tendonitis refers to inflammation in the tendons, which are tough, flexible tissues that connect muscles to bones. It often develops from overuse or repeating specific motions for extended periods, such as working on an assembly line or typing for long hours. The other common condition is bursitis, which affects the tiny sacs of fluid that reduce friction between bones and muscles around joints. Repeated joint movements can cause the bursae to become inflamed, leading to pain and stiffness, particularly in the shoulders, elbows, and knees. RMIs are not always severe or life-threatening, but they worsen over time, often leading to lifelong chronic conditions.
Professions at High Risk of RMIs
Office Workers: Office workers are prone to repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome due to prolonged typing and mouse use. Hours spent at a computer can stress tendons in the hands, wrists, and forearms, leading to conditions like tendonitis.
Construction Workers: Repeated lifting, hammering, and heavy machinery use contribute to RMIs in construction.
Healthcare Workers: Nurses, physical therapists, and caregivers repeatedly lift or move patients, putting them at risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
Manufacturing and Assembly Line Workers: Workers in manufacturing perform the same tasks repeatedly, often leading to overuse injuries.
Painters and Plumbers: Professions like painting and plumbing involve repeated arm movements, often in awkward positions, which increases the risk of bursitis.
Securing Compensation For Repetitive Motion Injuries
So, you are suffering from an RMI. Now what? Working with experienced Florida personal injury attorneys, you can:
File a Claim Through Florida Workers’ Compensation: Personal injury attorneys can assist injured workers through the workers’ compensation process to avoid common issues and secure much-needed financial assistance as quickly as possible. If a claim is rejected or the compensation offered is inadequate, an attorney can assist with appealing the decision to secure fair compensation for medical costs, rehabilitation, and lost wages due to the injury.
Personal Injury Lawsuits: When workers’ compensation isn’t sufficient, or the injury resulted from employer or manufacturer negligence, going down the lawsuit path might be warranted. However, accepting workers’ comp generally means you cannot file a personal injury suit later – it’s one or the other. Your attorneys can inform you of the options available and the best path to go down.
Probinsky & Cole can detail your options after learning more about your specific situation and injuries. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our team.
