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Worker's Compensation

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What You Need To Know If You Are Injured On The Job On The Job Injury| Atlanta Workers’ Compensation Attorney
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Potential Workers’ Comp.-Related Issue: Police Officer Crashes After Swerving to Avoid Truck in DeKalb County

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Repetitive Strain Injury: When to Claim Compensation

What exactly is repetitive strain injury? You might be more familiar with the various injuries that fall under the broader category of repetitive strain injury (RSI) than you are the category itself. Simply stated, RSI is a condition caused by overusing an instrument associated with repetitious movement. Computers, assembly line machines, knives, and guitars or other musical instruments are just of few of many tools that can lead to this type of injury. Rather than medically diagnosing you with "repetitive strain injury," your doctor will determine which specific condition you have acquired, whether it be carpal tunnel syndrome, cumulative trauma disorder, tendinitis, tennis elbow, radial tunnel syndrome, or another type of injury.

Upon tensing one’s muscles for long periods of time on a regular basis, a person may experience any combination of the varying symptoms of RSI: neck and back pain, tension in the shoulders or hands, weakness, tingling or numbness, or loss of sensation or strength in one’s grip. Often the causes of pain or symptoms occur in the workplace, and employees wishing to recover must actively engage in treatment of their condition while also altering the pain-causing behavior. If bad posture is believed to be a possible cause of injury, a worker should stretch, take breaks, and do back-strengthening exercises regularly in addition to adjusting the height of his or her desk. In some cases, doctors may refer patients to physical therapists or partners in alternative medicine for treatment of symptoms.

If you are experiencing symptoms of RSI due to work-related activities and believe that your condition is a result of your employment, you may consider consulting an attorney in addition to a physician. Many injured employees fail to seek compensation due to fear that they will lose their jobs or the belief that one-time accidents are the only grounds for filing claims. In truth, however, employers have insurance to cover worker’s compensation injury and cannot discriminate against you for making a claim. Furthermore, it is important to know that a condition developed over time in the workplace is just as likely to result in compensation as an office accident occurring only once. A successful case, in fact, could repay you for any hours lost at work and offer other benefits as well. If you have experienced a work-related injury like RSI, you may have the right to claim compensation, and we will gladly consult with you about your options. Call us here at Murphy & Associates (770-577-3020) for a free evaluation of your case.