Most people think of an isolated incident when they imagine a workplace accident, like a construction worker who falls and suffers a head injury, or a warehouse worker who breaks a wrist while stumbling over a box.
But another common job-related injury occurs gradually and can impact your ability to work. This is called a repetitive motion or repetitive stress injury (RSI).
If you think you have a repetitive strain injury claim, then please call Matt Fendon Law Group at (800) 229-3880 or use our contact form.
What is an RSI?
Repetitive strain injuries are musculoskeletal disorders that affect your muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. RSI conditions are caused by performing the same action repeatedly.
One of the most well-known types of repetitive stress injuries is carpal tunnel syndrome, a wrist condition common among office workers who spend their days typing. Bursitis and tendonitis are other examples of repetitive motion injuries.
Depending on the severity of the RSI, these injuries can cause temporary or permanent symptoms. Examples of repetitive strain injuries include:
- Back strains and sprains
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Osgood-Schlatter disease
- Shin splints
- Tendonitis
- Tennis elbow
- Trigger finger and trigger thumb
Symptoms of an RSI Condition
Common symptoms of repetitive stress injuries include muscle weakness, a dull ache, reduced range of motion, chronic pain, and, in some cases, acute pain during certain movements.
These symptoms often appear gradually, making it difficult to know when your RSI condition began.
Repetitive motion injuries can affect your ability to work and engage in daily life activities. Although sometimes they can heal on their own if you rest the affected muscles, tendons, or ligaments, left untreated, an RSI can become permanent.
The earlier you can identify an RSI condition and begin treatment, the better your chances of recovering from it and returning to work.
Arizona employees are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for repetitive motion injuries. Workers’ compensation pays for the medical expenses to treat RSI conditions and can also replace lost income, making it a crucial financial lifeline for injured workers.
However, workers’ compensation insurers often dispute repetitive motion injury claims because the condition develops gradually. The insurance company may argue that the injury is not work-related and that it is not obligated to pay.
Proving an RSI condition often requires gathering medical evidence. This includes a diagnosis from your doctor, medical imaging, range of motion tests, and sometimes expert medical opinions.
The more detailed the evidence you can provide in support of your RSI claim, the more likely it is that you can overcome the attempts of your employer’s insurer to argue that it is not work-related.
If you need help filing a workers’ compensation claim for a repetitive motion injury in Arizona, an experienced attorney can help. Call or contact Matt Fendon Law Group for a free consultation with a workers’ compensation lawyer.
Workers’ Compensation for a Repetitive Motion Injury in Arizona
Repetitive motion injuries primarily impact employees who perform the same actions day after day, such as:
- Assembly line workers
- Warehouse workers
- Office employees
- Cashiers
- Painters
- Landscapers
- Truck and bus drivers
- Construction workers
RSI Treatment and Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Treatment for a repetitive motion injury includes surgery, physical therapy, pain medication, steroid injections, or devices to stabilize the injury, like a brace or splint. Your doctor may also order you to perform light-duty activities or take frequent breaks while you heal.
If your RSI prevents you from being able to continue with your regular work duties, Arizona workers’ compensation can pay for your treatment costs and provide you with temporary partial wage replacement benefits until your doctor clears you to return to work.
If your RSI becomes permanent, once you reach the point of maximum medical improvement, workers’ compensation may pay you permanent partial benefits if your condition keeps you from being able to return to work.
Navigating the Workers’ Compensation Process for an RSI
Arizona law requires most businesses with one or more employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Here’s what you need to know about filing a workers’ compensation claim for a repetitive motion injury:
- Notify your employer immediately: Report your injury to your employer right away.
- See a doctor: Make an appointment with a doctor right away. Tell the physician the injury is work-related, so it is documented on your medical record.
- Complete all required forms: You have one year to file paperwork for workers’ compensation benefits. You must complete one of two forms: the Worker’s Report of Injury or the Worker’s and Physician’s Report of Injury. The form should be sent to the Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA).
- File a claim: The insurance company has 21 days to accept or deny your workers’ compensation claim. You can appeal if you disagree with the decision.
- Request for Hearing: You have 90 days from the date of a denial to appeal your claim. If you haven’t spoken with a workers’ compensation attorney yet, now is the time to do so.
Matt Fendon Law Group: Your Trusted Ally in Arizona
At Matt Fendon Law Group, we pride ourselves on serving as the rock for disabled workers in Arizona. |Our founding attorney, Matt Fendon, is a board-certified specialist in workers’ compensation law by the State Bar of Arizona. His proven and tested depth of experience allows our firm to deliver exceptional client service and results that make a difference in their lives.
It all starts with a free case review. Call us at (800) 229-3880 or use our online contact form to speak with an Arizona workers’ compensation lawyer.
