Repetitive Motion Injury Attorney in Greensboro

A repetitive motion injury differs from other types of injuries workers may suffer in the workplace because repetitive motion injuries develop gradually over time. As the name suggests, these injuries are caused by performing the same physical motions over and over nearly every day.

A repetitive motion injury may begin by causing only mild pain or discomfort. If left untreated, it can result in disabling pain, muscle weakness, and loss of motion. When you begin to exhibit symptoms of a repetitive motion injury you believe was caused by your job, you may be entitled to have workers’ compensation benefits from your employer cover your medical treatment, missed wages, and other losses.

To help you pursue the benefits you need and deserve, turn to an experienced Greensboro workers’ compensation attorney at Ward Black Law. Our law firm stands ready to advocate for your rights and interests after you’ve suffered a debilitating work injury. Our legal team has the in-depth knowledge and resources needed to handle even the most complex claims involving repetitive motion injuries. You can trust that we will leave no stone unturned as we work to build a solid claim for the resources you need.

Contact us today for a free initial case evaluation to learn more about how our Greensboro repetitive motion injury attorneys can help you seek the workers’ compensation benefits or other financial resources you need.

Common Causes of Repetitive Motion Injuries in the Workplace

Typical workplace activities that can lead to repetitive motion injuries for workers include:

Common Types of Repetitive Motion Injuries

Examples of medical conditions that are associated with a repetitive motion injury include:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome – A condition caused by pressure on the median nerve, which runs the length of the arm through the carpal tunnel passage in the wrist into the hand. It can cause numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and fingers.
• Tendinitis – Irritation or inflammation of tendons, the fibers that connect muscle to bone. Most commonly occurs in wrists, elbows, shoulders, and knees.
• Bursitis – Inflammation of fluid-filled sacs called bursae that sit in the joints and cushion the contact points between bones. Most commonly occurs in the knees, hips, shoulders, and elbows.
• Repetitive motion injuries in the back – Can result in injuries such as bulging or herniated spinal discs, which can cause nerve pain or conditions like sciatica when the discs press onto the nerve bundles exiting the spinal column.
• Cubital tunnel syndrome – A condition caused by pressure on the ulnar nerve, or “funny bone,” which passes through the inside of the elbow. Most frequently causes symptoms when the affected elbow is bent.
• Dupuytren’s contracture – A condition resulting in deformity of the hand where knots form under the skin and pull fingers (usually the pinky and ring fingers) into a permanently bent position.
• Epicondylitis – Also called golfer’s elbow or baseball elbow, a condition involving damage to the tendons in the forearm caused by excessive or jerking forces used to bend the wrist toward the palm.
• Ganglion cyst – A lump filled with a jelly-like fluid that develops along tendons or in between joints, which can interfere with range of motion or trigger pain when they press on nerves.
• Diffuse RMI – A term used when repetitive motion injuries have affected multiple parts of the body.

Symptoms of Repetitive Motion Injuries

Some of the most common signs and symptoms that may indicate a repetitive motion injury include:

Treatments for Repetitive Motion Injuries

Treating a repetitive motion injury usually begins with stopping or modifying the tasks at your job that led to the injury. For more minor injuries that will heal independently, treatment will usually include taking over-the-counter pain relievers or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Using hot and cold packs and splints or other supports can also give the injury room to heal.

For more severe injuries, treatment may include a course of physical and occupational therapy to help heal the injury and rebuild strength, range of motion, and fine motor control. More significant symptoms of pain may be treated with steroidal injections.

If a repetitive motion injury has resulted in damage to tissues or the physical structures of joints, surgery may be needed to repair the damage. Surgical treatments are usually followed by a course of physical and occupational rehab.

What Workers Should Know About Repetitive Motion Injuries

Workers who suffer repetitive motion injuries due to their job should know that it can be difficult to successfully recover workers’ compensation benefits for this type of injury. Often, employers and workers’ compensation insurers will deny that a repetitive motion injury is work-related. They will instead argue that the injury merely represents the progression of a degenerative condition.

To prove that your job caused your repetitive motion injury, you will not only need to obtain a diagnosis from your physician but also a medical opinion that the injury was caused by performing the same repetitive physical tasks through the workday. You may need to document your workplace or workstation and show your physician or medical expert what physical motions you perform to do your job and how often you are required to make those motions.