The Growing And Costly Problem of Repetitive Strain Injury On Your Business

Any workers compensation attorney will tell you that repetitive strain injuries are by far the most common cause of workplace injuries in the USA today. In fact, predictions are that according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) almost 50% of the entire workforce will suffer with this type of injury at some time in their careers. At present RSI makes up around 60% of all work place injuries and as a result is costing companies billions of dollars each and every year.

So what exactly is repetitive strain injury?

It is also often referred to as repetitive movement injury and is when minuscule tears appear on the muscle fibres and connective tissue of joints. This may not at first seem very serious, however due to constant repetitive movements, the body is unable to repair these tears and as a result the joints become incredibly painful and swelling ensues. If the condition is left untreated, then it can lead to permanent physical disability of the joint in question.

So what causes it? A workers compensation attorney explains....

Any employee who is working in a profession whereby they are making the same movements day after day can be at risk. One of the largest areas where RSI can occur is computer operators, secretaries, and data entry clerks. These people will be making continuous movements with their wrists hundreds of times a day and as a result, forms of repetitive strain injury such as carpel tunnel syndrome, tendinitis and bursitis are indeed commonplace. The problem is that there really is no cure for this issue, other than to rest the joints so that they can heal naturally. This being the case it may appear to some employers who don't understand the complexities of the situation, that the person isn't really injured at all.

For this reason, up until around ten years ago, businesses didn't really recognise RSI as a growing problem, but if you factor in medical expenses, lost days at work, reduced productivity and temporary cover, then each time a worker goes off with repetitive movement injury it can cost a company around $60,000 per case.

So what can be done?

Many employers now recognise that RSI can have a serious impingement upon their business and as a result many have taken preventative measures such as bringing in ergonomics. Wrist rests, adjustable seating and adjustable workstations are all part of the prevention of repetitive movement injuries and many business now using ergonomic furniture have noticed a dramatic decrease in the amount of people who are injured through RSI. If you believe that you are suffering from repetitive movement injury and have had a legitimate compensation claim denied for no particular reason, then it is best that you speak to a team of experienced workers compensation attorneys who can explain your rights.

How can a worker avoid repetitive strain injury?

One of the first things to do when looking to avoid an RSI type injury is to maintain a good upright posture. This might entail altering the height of your desk and chair if ergonomically designed and re-organizing the computer and desktop so that everything is in easier reach. Try to take regular breaks even if it means getting up and walking around the office, or grabbing a glass of water.

So how can a team of workers compensation lawyers help?

In some instances claims get denied and there are many reasons for this. It could well be that the employer doesn't believe that the incident occurred, or was caused by work. It could also be that the Independent Medical Examiner (IME) doesn't diagnose any problems, or it could be that the company insurer doesn't want to pay out. For whatever reason an experienced workers compensation lawyer can help. They have the skills necessary to represent you and will work tirelessly in order to deliver the full and fair compensation that you need.

Many Computer operators suffer with carpel tunnel syndrome and it has been documented that only around 23% of these people can return to doing the same type of work after surgery. This means that a CT sufferer could be out of work with limited or no pay. They will also have to pay for the cost of retraining for another career as well as to pay for ongoing physical pain management. As you can see, it is understandable how costs can soon mount up for an injured victim. For this reason it is imperative that an injured party finds a Los Angeles workers compensation lawyer who understands the issues and is prepared to take the case on.