Not every workplace injury that leads to a workers compensation claim in California is accompanied by the drama of an ambulance, wailing sirens, paramedics, a stretcher, a trip to the emergency room, a stay in the hospital and follow-up rehabilitation.
In Orange County, Riverside County and elsewhere, more and more workers are discovering that years of performing the same task over and over and over again – from typing to lifting boxes – can create painful repetitive stress injuries that lead to potentially permanent disabilities.
And that’s a problem under California labor law. Obviously, an injured worker deserves fair compensation. But the law is vague, providing no concrete timetable for when a worker must first report a repetitive stress injury. Unlike most accidents, such as being injured when scaffolding collapses, for instance, it is impossible to pinpoint the exact time of a repetitive stress injury because it slowly develops over years. Compounding the problem is that early symptoms may be either ignored as “minor aches and pains” or accepted as part of the “wear and tear” of years on the job. Soon enough, though, a repetitive stress injury – also known as a repetitive motion injury or cumulative stress disorder – can make the simplest of daily tasks, such as writing, an unbearably painful experience. See : http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/
A personal injury attorney in Riverside County can offer a free initial consultation to workers who feel they are suffering from repetitive stress ailments. They often work on a contingency basis, meaning they do not collect any payment unless the injured person wins a settlement
A qualified and experienced workplace injury lawyer can provide the type of expert assistance required by people who have suffered injuries that cannot be definitively linked to a single incident. A lawyer who understands the peculiarities of California law can guide a client through the difficult workers compensation process. They can assemble a team of medical experts to testify about the causes of a worker’s injury and how they are legally entitled to workers compensation benefits. They can also act as an advocate to counter any claims made by the employer’s insurance company.
While repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome have gained in public awareness only recently, they are not limited to “modern” jobs that require a lot of keyboard work, such as data entry and other computer-related professions. Other occupations where people run a risk of similar injuries include factory or assembly line work, heavy lifting, driving a company vehicle, and operating power tools and equipment. The associated injuries can include back and neck aches, swollen joints, numbness in the hands and fingers, and knee, elbow or shoulder injuries.
Often overlooked is the emotional trauma that can further plague the victims of repetitive stress injuries. Unlike a so-called “major” injury, a cumulative stress disorder may be invisible in the sense that the symptoms – burning, tingling and aching sensations – are not readily apparent. As a result, a worker who may be in great pain sometimes faces accusations that they are faking an injury. Or they may be pressured to feel that they are personally responsible for what happened to them when, in fact, their employer failed to provide ergonomically safe work conditions.
Source : http://www.attorney4u.us
