Every job available to the public carries with it some degree of risk. Some jobs are more dangerous than others, and as such, the risk of injury increases. Even office jobs, which may seem relatively safe, carry a degree of risk. Typically, the most common injuries found in those environments are repetitive stress injuries. If you have recently been diagnosed with this type of injury, you may wish to consult with an Asheville repetitive stress injury lawyer.
Bridgman Gantt Law Offices are experienced with handling these types of cases and can leverage that experience to help you reach a positive outcome. Our team understands how life-changing chronic injuries can be and will work to ensure you are properly compensated for a repetitive stress injury resulting from your workplace.
Simply put, repetitive stress injuries are caused when tears are made in the muscle tissue so quickly that the body is unable to keep up with repairs at the same rate. Thus, inflammation occurs, and pain sets in. While these injuries do appear quite frequently in professional athletes or sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis or gout, they are also commonly found in everyday people who are dedicated to their daily routines.
Doing the same things day in and day out can directly cause repetitive stress injuries, and having a physically demanding job can gradually do severe damage to your body. If the injury happened as a direct result of the physical demands of your job, you may also be able to receive workers’ compensation. You may want to speak to an attorney experienced with workers’ compensation claims for more information.
Depending on the type and duration of your job, you may fall victim to one of the more common repetitive stress injuries in Asheville, North Carolina. Here are some of the various injuries that you could suffer simply by engaging in repetitive motions for a prolonged period of time:
A: Proving a repetitive stress injury starts with thorough documentation and a diagnosis from a doctor. The records from your doctor visits will provide the primary evidence to prove the existence of your repetitive stress injury. Then, you must connect this injury to your working conditions. If you pursue a case for your repetitive stress injury, either against your employer or workers’ compensation, experienced lawyers can offer more guidance on how to support your claim.
A: The optimum way to help protect a worker from repetitive stress injury is to be aware that it could happen. Prevention is the ultimate defense. Consider designing workstations that are less sedentary and more comfortable for the employee. Employees should be able to take regular walking breaks to avoid blood clots and engage in stretching exercises. Most importantly, provide employees with literature and education about the dangers of repetitive stress.
A: If an employee is involved in a workplace accident, the first thing to do is remain calm. Panicking serves no purpose and ultimately makes a bad situation worse. In the event of a serious injury, emergency services should be immediately contacted if medical support is not available on-site. If the employee has no immediate life-threatening injuries, helping them document the scene is likely to help them when filing an injured workers’ compensation claim.
A: If an injury occurs in the workplace, the safety of the injured employee and all the other employees is paramount. Secure the scene of the incident and help document anything that could be important later, such as any spills on the floor or faulty equipment. At this point, the injured employee should fill out the proper paperwork if they are physically capable. The manager must then report the injury to their insurance provider within 24 hours.
Repetitive stress injuries can sneak up on you and cause irreparable harm to your body. Performing the same activities day after day with little to no break or rest can have a detrimental effect on your physical and mental health. If you suffer a repetitive stress injury due to your work environment, it is important that you take the proper steps to protect yourself.
The legal team at Bridgman Gantt Law Offices are prepared to help you build your case and figure out your next steps. We can assist in collecting evidence, gathering witness statements, and helping you reach a settlement amount that you feel is appropriate. Contact us to schedule a consultation as soon as you can.
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