When you hear the phrase “workplace injury,” you may think of an accident like falling off a ladder, or maybe a construction accident. People often do not think of a repetitive stress injury as something that would count as a workplace injury. Repetitive stress injuries are a very real form of workplace injury, and they can be more harmful than you might expect.
Injuries that occur without any significant incident are very easy to ignore or never notice. This fact explains why many people do not know that 7% of Americans have some form of repetitive stress injury. If these injuries are so common, how do you get them, and what do they look like?
Causes of stress injuries
There are many causes of repetitive stress injuries, and many different types of workplaces have them. Some causes of these injuries include:
- Encountering frequent vibrations
- Working in cold environments
- Lifting heavy objects
- Exhaustion
- Intense regular pressure
- Non-ergonomic work environments
Even sitting in a single position for extended periods of time can result in a stress injury.
Forms of repetitive stress injuries
When a person suffers in these or other types of demanding work environments, consequences can occur. The body can develop injuries like:
- Tendonitis
- Bursitis
- Tennis elbow
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Ulnar tunnel syndrome
- Cubital tunnel syndrome
- Stenosing tenosynovitis
Just because an injury was not the result of some major accident, it does not mean that the victim should not pursue compensation. Repetitive stress injuries can take months or years to develop, so if you suspect you are suffering from one, act now. Call an experienced workplace injury attorney for guidance on how you can seek compensation for your injuries.