Have You Experienced a Repetitive Injury On the Job? We Can Help.
In 2019, over 17,000 people were injured because of repetitive actions in the workplace, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. These injuries are called repetitive strain injuries or repetitive stress injuries. Most repetitive injuries are caused by doing actions that a person might not think would cause an injury, such as typing, repeatedly using the same tool, and always doing the same motion as part of your job.
A repetitive strain injury happens when a worker's muscles or joints become strained when repeatedly doing the same motions at work. A repetitive stress injury causes damage to the muscles, nerves, ligaments, or tendons of workers who do the same task repeatedly on the job.
For example, a strain to the back or to the wrist that causes low back pain or carpal tunnel syndrome are typical kinds of repetitive strain injuries. Repetitive strain injuries usually happen slowly over time. The more a worker does the same motion on the job, the worse the injury becomes. Eventually, these strains can become serious injuries that may prevent a worker from doing his or her job. Thankfully, under the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Act, many workers receive compensation for repetitive stress injuries.
If you or a loved one suffered a workplace injury, call our Wilkes-Barre compensation attorneys. We can answer your questions and discuss your options. Call or email us to schedule your free initial consultation.
Worker's Compensation Covers Repetitive Stress Injury
Under Pennsylvania workers' compensation law, any employee who is hurt on the job may be able to receive compensation for his losses. Money can be paid for lost wages, medical expenses, physical therapy, or disability. All work injuries and illnesses resulting in death, permanent impairment, or loss of time beyond a day or shift are covered. This includes repetitive strain and stress injuries caused by your work. An injury that is made worse by your job is also covered by the workers' compensation law. Even a repetitive injury that was caused partly by your work and partly by other activities may be covered by workers' compensation if your work-related tasks are the main cause of the injury.
Workers in Some Industries Are More Likely to Suffer a Repetitive Strain Injury
It is not only people who repeatedly lift or move heavy items that suffer a repetitive stress injury. Any worker who repeats the same motion, day after day, is at risk of developing a repetitive strain injury. These workers are more likely to be harmed by repetitive actions:
- Grocery store clerks who spend their entire shift scanning products at check out.
- Assembly line workers who repeat the same task on all shifts.
- Office workers who spend all day at a keyboard.
- Electricians, plumbers, and other employees who spend lots of time grasping and using the same tools.
Many Different Injuries and Illnesses Are Covered by Workers' Comp
Workers' compensation benefits exist to compensate injured workers for medical expenses and lost wages. Wilkes Barre workers' compensation is paid for many different kinds of injuries and illnesses that happen on the job. Here are examples of some of the most common injuries covered by workers' compensation:
- Nearly 37% of injuries suffered by Pennsylvania workers in 2019 were a sprain or strain.
- Most commonly, workers suffered injuries to their upper extremities (shoulders, arms, hands).
- 36% of injuries affected the shoulders, arms, forearms, wrists, hands, and fingers.
- The next most common injuries harmed the lower extremities, with 26% of injuries to the legs, ankles, feet, and toes.
- 19% of injuries were to the worker's trunk, or mid-body.
- 12% of injuries were to the head and neck.
- 7% of workers suffered multiple injuries to more than one body part.
A Workers' Compensation Lawyer in Wilkes-Barre Can Help You File Your Claim
In a Wilkes-Barre workers' compensation claim for repetitive injury can be complicated. It can be really hard if you are not familiar with filing workers' compensation claims. Most workers have never filed a work injury claim before. Unfortunately, one little mistake could mean your entire worker's compensation claim will be denied. Even if injured workers are successful in receiving workers' compensation benefits, your employer's insurance company might try to stop your payments too soon. That's why you need a highly qualified workplace injury lawyer to help you secure compensation for medical bills for as long as you need it.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys' experienced Wilkes-Barre workers' compensation attorneys are committed to helping injured workers get the benefits they deserve. The skilled lawyers at our workers' compensation law firm accept all kinds of work-related injuries, including repetitive stress injury claims, and have obtained many top settlements and verdicts for clients. Every workplace injury lawyer in our firm is professional, experienced, and skilled at helping hurt employees in Luzerne County get the compensation they deserve. We work hard to protect your rights. Contact us online or call us to speak to our experienced workers' compensation lawyers in Wilkes-Barre for a free consultation.
A Wilkes-Barre Comp Attorney Can Help If Your Claim Is Denied
Workers' comp benefits are meant to cover medical bills and wage loss if you suffer a repetitive stress injury on the job. They also provide compensation if you have an existing repetitive strain injury that is made worse by your job.
When workers' compensation cases for repetitive injury are denied, you can appeal. It is important to have a Wilkes-Barre comp attorney fighting for your rights and handling the appeals process for you. An appeal can be difficult and often takes a long time. If you are trying to recover from your injury, you need to focus on getting well. An experienced workers' compensation attorney in Wilkes Barre can handle the appeals process for you.
If you need to appeal the denial of a work comp claim in Luzerne County, discuss your options with a qualified Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys' work injury lawyer today. Call or contact us to schedule a FREE consultation to discuss your claim and your rights.
What You Need to Do When You Suffer a Repetitive Strain Injury on the Job
Some workers might not go to the doctor for repetitive stress injuries in the hopes that the injury will get better on its own. Unfortunately, a repetitive strain injury usually gets worse with time, not better. It is important to see a doctor as soon as you begin to feel symptoms of a repetitive stress injury. The symptoms of a repetitive strain injury include stiffness, tingling, numbness, pain and tenderness, cramps, or even weakness.
After you receive medical attention, fill out an incident report form at work and report your injury in writing to your supervisor as soon as possible. The workers' compensation law of Pennsylvania provides that you have 120 days from the accident to file this report. In our experience, it is best to not wait and to file your report within 3 days of the injury if you can.
When your injury has occurred over time like a repetitive strain injury, it can be difficult to pinpoint the date of the “accident” or the day you suffered the injury. No one day caused the injury. The 120-day period will start no later than the date your doctor diagnoses you with a repetitive stress injury. But, if you wait a long time to see a doctor, you run the risk of the employer stating that you filed your claim too late.
After you file your report, your employers' workers' comp insurance company will contact you to learn more about your injury. It is best if you talk with an experienced work injury lawyer in Luzerne County before talking to the insurance company. A skilled workers' comp lawyer Wilkes-Barre can talk directly to the insurance company for you to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
All workers' comp cases go through a special process within the workers' compensation system. Decisions on your claim can be made by a workers' comp administrative judge, by negotiation and settlement, or through alternative dispute resolution processes like mediation.
FAQs about Workers Comp for Repetitive Injury
What is Pennsylvania's Workers' Comp for Workers?
The Pennsylvania workers' compensation system requires employers to pay for insurance to cover any employees who get hurt on the job so they receive compensation. An injured worker can receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and disability caused by work-related injuries. For most employers, workers' comp coverage is required. If employers do not provide insurance coverage, they may be sued by their employees and may be prosecuted for a crime.
How do I know if I am covered by Workers' Comp?
The Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Act requires most Pennsylvania employers, no matter how large or small, to provide workers' comp insurance. Employees are covered from the first day on the job and for the entire time they work. Full-time and part-time workers are covered.
Not all workers are covered because they may be covered by other insurance or because they do not qualify under the law. These workers are not likely covered by Pennsylvania workers' comp:
- Railroad workers and federal employees,
- Agricultural workers who work for one employer for less than 30 days in a year,
- Farm workers who earn less than $1,200 a year from one job,
- Workers who are independent contractors rather than employees,
- Workers who provide domestic services such as house cleaning and lawn care, and
- Volunteer workers.
How long do I have to report my injury and file my claim?
Under Pennsylvania law, you must report your injury to your employer within 120 days of the injury. You must file your claim within 3 years of the date of your injury. These time limits are strictly enforced so it is important for an injured worker to speak with an experienced Wilkes-Barre worker's compensation lawyer as soon as possible. If you do not report your injury or file your claim in time, you will not be able to receive money for your injuries and your claim will be denied.
How much money will I receive for my injuries?
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, workers and their families in Pennsylvania received over $2.8 million in 2019 from the workers' compensation system. The amount of money you can receive for your injuries varies based upon:
- How severe your injuries are,
- Whether you are totally or partially disabled, and
- The amount of time you are unable to work.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Has Competitive Advantages Over Other Work Injury Lawyers
At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, you get more than a lawyer. You get a law firm. Our attorneys work together as a team to give you the insight, experience, and combined efforts of our entire law firm. Our Wilkes-Barre personal injury lawyers are highly-skilled and have a reputation for working harder than other lawyers. We protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve in your worker's comp case. Our mission is to help injured victims so they can move forward in the best way possible.
The attorneys of Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don't pay any legal fees to Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys unless we collect money for you on your workers' comp claim.
Call Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys today for a free consultation to speak to a qualified Wilkes-Barre work injury lawyer. Or contact us using our chat or online form. We will review your case, tell you about your legal rights, and advise you on how to proceed to receive the compensation you deserve for your repetitive stress and strain injuries.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
1170 PA-315
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
(570) 399-0406
