Attorneys Seek Benefits for Repetitive Trauma Injuries
Fighting workers’ compensation denials in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan
Your work-related injury does not have to result from an accident to qualify you for workers’ compensation benefits. Your injury simply has to happen “in the course of” employment, “arising out of” your employment. Marshall P. Whalley & Associates, PC helps workers with repetitive stress injuries appeal denials of claims for workers’ compensation. Our attorneys have detailed knowledge of the law and the procedures for the states in which we practice. We bring more than 30 years of injury litigation experience to the fight for your workers’ comp benefits.
What is a repetitive trauma injury?
There are many terms for this disorder, including repetitive strain injury, repetitive stress injury, repetitive motion injury, repetitive motion disorder, cumulative trauma disorder, occupational overuse syndrome and regional musculoskeletal disorder. This injury is a painful condition of the muscles, tendons and nerves that usually affects the arms. It can, however, result from any activity requiring continuous use of a body part within a limited range of motion. Examples of repetitive strain injuries include:
- Bursitis — Inflammation of a bursa, the sack that acts as a cushion within a joint, especially the shoulder or knee.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome — Compression of the nerve within the carpal tunnel that causes pain and numbing in the fingers.
- Epicondylitis — Inflammation from strenuous overuse of a joint, such as tennis elbow.
- Ganglion — A cyst formed from the tissue that lubricates a joint, such as a knee, ankle or wrist.
- Rotator cuff syndrome — Inflammation of tendons and muscles in the shoulder
- Tendinitis — Inflammation of a tendon.
- Tenosynovitis — Inflammation of a tendon sheath.
In the early stages, repetitive trauma injuries heal naturally with cessation of the offending activity. However, continuous micro traumas to the area can produce permanent damage. The worker will likely need surgery to correct the condition. In many cases, surgery allows the worker to return to the task that led to the injury, but more often, the worker must refrain from that kind of repetitive motion for good.
Claiming workers’ compensation benefits for repetitive stress injuries
Workers’ compensation covers work-related repetitive stress injuries. However, many of these conditions are difficult to prove diagnostically; often, the sole evidence is the patient’s claim of pain. It’s not surprising that workers who claim temporary total disability or permanent partial disability because of repetitive stress get labeled as malingerers, and insurance companies refuse to pay benefits. Marshall P. Whalley & Associates, PC works to assemble the evidence you need to make a compelling case for benefits. Our attorneys have extensive experience in hearings at every stage of the appeals process.
See our workers’ comp attorneys to appeal claim denials for repetitive stress injuries
Repetitive stress injuries are painful and debilitating. If you’ve had trouble obtaining the workers’ comp benefits you deserve, speak with a concerned attorney at Marshall P. Whalley & Associates, PC. For a free consultation and case evaluation, call 219.769.2900 or contact our Crown Point office online.
