Tag: repetitive stress injury

If you suspect that you’re developing an RSI and it’s starting to impede your ability to work at full capacity, you do not want to put off getting it checked out. Delaying treatment will only make matters worse and it could wind up causing irreparable damage.

The first thing you’ll need to do is tell your employer. OHSA requires that employers identify and correct hazards such as those that lead to RSIs. Your employer cannot try to change and fix the job conditions if it isn’t aware of your injuries or that your job duties are causing a problem. So be open with your employer and tell your supervisor or HR manager about your symptoms. If your condition is work-related, it may be compensable under workers’ compensation laws. But, you’ll need to inform your employer and file a workers’ compensation claim in a timely manner so that all of your doctor’s appointments and treatments will be covered.

Unlike other states that mandate workers use a company doctor for work-related injuries and conditions, New York statutes afford workers the right to use a doctor of their choice for their work injuries. However, when you go to the doctor, tell him/her about your work tasks that likely contributed to the injury so that he/she will document the work-related nature of your condition.

Unfortunately, finding a doctor who is competent to diagnose and treat RSI can be a challenge. Some doctors doubt the existence of RSI, and many others dismiss it as an insignificant problem. Some doctors don’t know the first thing about treatment, while others encourage their patients to undergo unnecessary (and possibly dangerous) surgery in hope of a quick fix. With that in mind, know that you must be careful and selective when choosing a physician.

Diagnosis for RSIs can be tricky because there are no specific testing methods for these types of soft tissue injuries. Muscle strain and pain don’t show up on an MRI or CT scan. Rather, doctors have to use the patient’s symptoms, medical history, examination, and observation. The doctor might have you stop the repetitive task for a period of time, and if your symptoms lessen or dissipate, it’ll be a good indicator that you have an RSI.

If you have even mild discomfort completing certain tasks on your job or at home, it’s a good idea to see your doctor to talk about RSI. Your doctor will ask you questions about your work and other activities to try to identify any repetitive movements you do. They’ll also ask about your work environment, such as whether you work at a computer or have an ergonomic work station. They’ll do a physical exam as well. During the exam, they’ll perform range of motion tests and check for tenderness, inflammation, reflexes, and strength in the affected area.

Your doctor may also order magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound to assess tissue damage. An electromyography (EMG) may be ordered to check on nerve damage.For mild damage, your doctor may refer you to a physical therapist. If the damage is severe, they may also refer you to a specialist or surgeon. Treatment for RSIs usually involves ice compresses, splinting, anti-inflammatory drugs, pain medication, steroid injection, and/or good old-fashioned rest. When the injury is work-related, you also might need an occupational therapy program to speed your recovery.

Remember, each case is unique, so contact HURT-511 for more information on workers’ comp statute and our personal injury lawyers help injured workers recover the benefits to which they are entitled by law. For a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer, call us toll-free at 800-4878-511 or complete our online form. Our firm handles accident and injury claims throughout all five boroughs of New York.

HURT-511 operates in all boroughs of New York including all Bronx neighborhoods, namely: Bedford Park, Belmont, Fordham, Highbridge, Hunts Point, Jerome Park, Kingsbridge, Morris Park, Morrisania, Mott Haven, Parkchester, Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Throgs Neck, University Heights and Woodlawn.

 

Assembly line workers are prone to workplace injuries, mainly because of heavy equipment and power-driven machines. Unsafe working conditions combined with a lack of safety precautions contribute to manufacturing accidents. Manufacturing accidents are often serious and may render a worker incapable of working again and earning their living. Some classes of workers such as material handlers, assemblers, machine operators, and general laborers are more prone to injuries. For such workers, injuries may have catastrophic and lifelong effects.

Assembly lines can be a dangerous environment and pose many threats to workers. Although people working in different types of manufacturing setups perform different tasks, the hazards they face are similar across the industry. Overexertion can cause musculoskeletal disorders. Workers who perform physically exhaustive work such as lifting for prolonged periods of time are prone to musculoskeletal disorders. Also consider, body movement injuries due to constant crawling, reaching, bending, and twisting, these workers often suffer injuries.

Repetitive stress or repetitive motion is commonly seen in assembly line workers often perform the same task over and over again, which can cause the tissues to wear out. Tissue damage may cause significant pain, loss of use of muscle, and other health problems. Then there is exposure to harmful substances coming in contact with inhaling certain hazardous chemicals can cause serious injuries to workers in the manufacturing industry. Contact with equipment and objects is seen in factory workers who tend to suffer severe injuries including loss of limbs and crush injuries by getting caught in between or coming in contact with heavy equipment.

Some injuries are a result of machinery accidents, but continuous exposure to hazardous materials such as chemicals, plastics, metal, glass, and other similar substances can also cause illness. Failure to enforce safety codes and regulations also contribute to assembly line accidents. Negligent operation and machinery malfunctions are also a common cause of injuries. Lack of safety training also plays a major role in causing assembly line injuries.

Remember, each case is unique, so contact HURT-511 for more information on workers’ comp statute and our personal injury lawyers help injured workers recover the benefits to which they are entitled by law. For a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer, call us toll-free at 800-4878-511 or complete our online form. Our firm handles accident and injury claims throughout all five boroughs of New York.

HURT-511 operates in all boroughs of New York including all Bronx neighborhoods, namely: Bedford Park, Belmont, Fordham, Highbridge, Hunts Point, Jerome Park, Kingsbridge, Morris Park, Morrisania, Mott Haven, Parkchester, Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Throgs Neck, University Heights and Woodlawn.

 

If you suspect that you’re developing an RSI and it’s starting to impede your ability to work at full capacity, you do not want to put off getting it checked out. Delaying treatment will only make matters worse and it could wind up causing irreparable damage. The initial treatment for RSI symptoms is conservative. This may include:

• RICE, which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), both oral and topical
• steroid injections
• exercises, which may be prescribed as part of a physical therapy treatment plan
• stress reduction and relaxation training
• wrapping the area or securing it with a splint to protect and rest the muscles and tendons

 

Your doctor and physical therapist can also suggest adjustments to your work station, such as readjusting your chair and desk if you work at a computer, or modifications to your movements and equipment to minimize muscle strain and stress.

Your outlook with RSI depends on the severity of your symptoms and your general health. You may be able to use conservative measures to modify your work routine and minimize pain and damage. Or, you may have to stop certain tasks at work for a while to rest the affected area. If other measures don’t work, your doctor may recommend surgery for specific problems involving nerves and tendons.

If you sit at a desk, follow the traditional advice from parents and teachers and sit up straight and don’t slouch! Good posture is the key to avoiding unnecessary stress on your muscles. This takes practice and mindfulness. There are also many exercises you can do to improve your posture. Adjust your work station to promote good posture and comfort. Sit in a chair that gives you support for your lower back and keep your feet flat on the floor or on a foot rest. Your thighs should be parallel to the ground, and your hands, wrists, and forearms should be aligned. Your elbows should be in line with your keyboard to avoid strain.

Avoid sitting cross-legged and if possible, spend some of your computer time at a standing desk. Slowly increase the amount of time you stand, aiming for 20–30 minutes each hour or more. Place your computer monitor about an arm’s length away from you. The screen should be at eye level so you’re looking straight ahead. If you’re on the phone a lot, use a headset to avoid straining your neck, shoulders, and arms.

Taking frequent breaks from your desk throughout the day is as important as having an ergonomic workstation. If your work is not at a desk, the same principles apply. Maintain good posture, figure out the least stressful positions for the repetitive tasks required, and take frequent mini breaks. If you have to stand a lot, use an anti-fatigue mat. Use extension poles for cleaning tools to avoid straining your arms, and lift heavy loads properly. If you use tools, take breaks throughout the day to stretch and flex your fingers and wrists. Most occupations have been studied in detail and have guidelines for reducing worker stress while doing specific tasks. The National Education Association, for example, has a handbook on RSI that provides tips for teachers, drivers, food workers, custodians, and others.

Remember, each case is unique, so contact HURT-511 for more information on workers’ comp statute and our personal injury lawyers help injured workers recover the benefits to which they are entitled by law. For a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer, call us toll-free at 800-4878-511 or complete our online form. Our firm handles accident and injury claims throughout all five boroughs of New York.

HURT-511 operates in all boroughs of New York including all Bronx neighborhoods, namely: Bedford Park, Belmont, Fordham, Highbridge, Hunts Point, Jerome Park, Kingsbridge, Morris Park, Morrisania, Mott Haven, Parkchester, Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Throgs Neck, University Heights and Woodlawn.

 

Repetitive Strain Injuries are a symptom of modern life and were all but unheard of before people spent their days sat at desks for hours on end. Caused by physically repeating the same actions regularly and over an extended period of time, RSIs can have a profoundly negative effect on the lives of those who are unfortunate enough to suffer from them. What’s worse is that RSIs are by no means the ‘end result’ and if they are ignored or not properly addressed in a timely fashion they can develop into long-term ailments which will impact on every aspect of an individual’s life.

One of the things which make RSIs so irritating is the knowledge that with the right equipment and a little bit of training they are quite easily prevented; the issue lies in the fact that their underlying causes are seemingly small and insignificant. This mind set leads to a lot of people ignoring their symptoms, thinking that they will go away on their own, or that by making a fuss they will appear petty; what they forget is that anything, even a good thing, can become destructive if taken to excess.

A medical examination by a doctor is needed to diagnose an RSI. The doctor will carry out a physical examination as well as asking questions regarding the repetitive motions that are thought to have caused the injury, what exactly tends to cause the pain and when is it most likely to occur. There are two main types of repetitive strain injury:

RSI Type 1: This is a musculoskeletal complaint and often inflammation and swelling of particular muscles and tendons occur. Type 1 is clearly diagnosed as a particular complaint such as carpal tunnel syndrome, white vibration finger or tendonitis.

RSI Type 2: This has a whole range of causes and is often connected to damage of the nerves. There are usually no extra symptoms with RSI type 2, just discomfort and pain. Type 2 can sometimes be referred to as non-specific pain syndrome and isn’t quite diagnosed as clearly as type 1.

Employers have a duty of care to try to prevent anyone in their workforce from developing a repetitive strain injury. They must follow the protocol set out in the Health and Safety at Work act and carry out risk assessments for use of equipment or any task that could cause an injury. Work areas need to be assessed as well to ensure they are a safe environment to work in and any issues need to be addressed immediately until they are satisfactory. For areas such as computer work stations, employers have a legal obligation to ensure they are set up in accordance to the Display Screen Equipment (DSE) regulations.

In order to lower the risk of repetitive strain injuries, employers should consult with employees regarding any potential risks that may arise from their work. Policies and underlying procedures must be set in place for certain activities and also any relevant training in place in order to lower the risk of injury. Responsible employers are expected to be supportive to anyone who is returning to work after suffering a repetitive strain injury and act upon their duty of care to their employees to prevent the condition from worsening.

It is also the employer’s responsibility to recognise that if one person begins to develop repetitive strain injury symptoms, then others who may be carrying out the same duty at work, could also be at risk of getting an injury too and so should act accordingly to eliminate any exposure to the risks of the condition.

If employers fail to take all possible steps to ensure a safe working environment and don’t act to their best ability to eliminate as much as possible the risks of injury, then according to RSI at work rights of the employees, the employers may be sued for negligence. Repetitive strain injury compensation claims are on the rise and more and more cases are being won.

It is also possible to claim against your employer if developing an RSI whilst under their employment is affecting a pre-existing condition. Your employer has a legal obligation to ensure your health and safety whilst in their employment and so could be liable if they are found to have been negligent in their duty of care and safety responsibility to their staff.

There are RSI claim calculators to be found online that you could use but these are only estimated amounts and so will not be accurate. One person’s injury can differ a great deal to another’s in its severity and the affect it has on one person’s life. The actual cause of the injury, duration and working conditions will also have an impact on the claimant’s case which again can be different from one person to the next.

The bottom line is, each claimant’s case has individual circumstances that will determine the repetitive strain injury compensation claims amount they are awarded. It would be best to contact a trusted specialist personal injury claims solicitors such as Legal Expert to discuss your potential claim in more detail.

Remember, each case is unique, so contact HURT-511 for more information on workers’ comp statute and our personal injury lawyers help injured workers recover the benefits to which they are entitled by law. For a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer, call us toll-free at 800-4878-511 or complete our online form. Our firm handles accident and injury claims throughout all five boroughs of New York.

HURT-511 operates in all boroughs of New York including all Bronx neighborhoods, namely: Bedford Park, Belmont, Fordham, Highbridge, Hunts Point, Jerome Park, Kingsbridge, Morris Park, Morrisania, Mott Haven, Parkchester, Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Throgs Neck, University Heights and Woodlawn.