FAQ about workers’ compensation and repetitive stress injuries

On Behalf of | Dec 20, 2022 | Worker's Compensation |

Repetitive stress injuries occur over time and may go unnoticed until doing your job becomes painful. Since no significant incident leads to the injury, you may not know how to proceed.

Reviewing these frequently asked questions may help you better understand how to file a workers’ compensation claim for your injuries.

What injuries can result from repetitive movements?

When you have a job that requires doing the same thing over and over again, you may develop injuries as a result of the repetitive motions. Bending, lifting and typing are just some of the activities that can lead to the following repetitive stress injuries:

  • Tendonitis
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Knee injuries
  • Back strains

If you notice pain, tingling or numbness in your extremities, these may be symptoms of a repetitive motion injury.

When should you file a workers’ compensation claim?

Illinois’ workers’ compensation laws require injured employees to notify their employers within 45 days of an injury. Since no acute event causes repetitive stress injuries, you should notify your employer about your injury as soon as you realize you have symptoms. The employer can then file the workers’ compensation claim on your behalf.

What do you need to prove your claim?

As an injured employee, it is your responsibility to prove your job duties caused your injury. You may need to provide medical documents identifying the injury, take statements from witnesses and give an account of how your repetitive job duties led to your injury.

If you notice pain when performing your job, consider filing a workers’ compensation claim immediately. The plan may help cover medical expenses and missed wages due to repetitive stress injuries.