Repetitive Stress Injuries in the Workplace

Working with the experienced Delaware workers’ compensation attorneys from Silverman, McDonald & Friedman can give you peace of mind. We bring workers’ compensation claims on behalf of clients in and around Wilmington, Newark and Seaford.

Workers’ comp claims do not have to be as catastrophic as breaking your back or losing a finger. They also cover injuries that happen gradually, over a long period, like repetitive stress injuries. Repetitive stress injuries, or RSIs, are one of the largest sources of workers’ compensation claims nationwide and cost employers $1.8 billion a year. If you sit or stand in the same position for long periods or perform the same manual task repeatedly, you may be at risk for an RSI.

What kinds of work lead to repetitive stress injuries?

The most common types of RSIs come from office work, involving injuries to the upper extremities like the wrists, elbows, and hands from repetitive keyboard tasks. Other kinds of work that cause RSIs include:

• Grocery store cashiers (bar code scanning)
• Assembly line work
• Construction work (jackhammering)
• Landscaping work (lawnmowing)
• Writing
• Massaging
• Painting
• Sanding
• Sawing/cutting
• Driving
• Shelf stocking
• Sewing

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common type of repetitive stress injury. Symptoms include:

• Numbness and tingling in the fingers, thumb, and palm of the hand
• Pain in the wrist
• Weakened grip

However, carpal tunnel is not the only type of repetitive stress injury. Other injuries include:

• Tendonitis
• Myofascial damage
• Radial tunnel syndrome
• Bursitis
• Rotator cuff injuries
• ACL or MCL knee injuries
• Epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
• Dystonia (writer’s cramp)
• Lower back injuries
• Trigger finger

Preventing repetitive stress injuries

With proper technique and modification, you may be able to avoid an RSI. If you feel you are at risk for a repetitive stress injury, try some of these tips:

• Stretch or warm up your muscles before performing tasks that are repetitive or prolonged.
• Stop or change positions if you feel pain.
• Take breaks from any sustained positions every 20 to 30 minutes to move around and stretch.
• When typing or using your hands, keep your wrists as neutral as possible.
• Avoid bending your neck forward for prolonged periods.
• Avoid staying static in one place for prolonged periods. Remember to get up, stretch, and move around.
• Rotate heavy or repetitive tasks with lighter, more varied tasks.
• Use vises or clamps when possible to avoid having to grip with the hand.

The dedicated Delaware workers’ compensation attorneys at Silverman, McDonald & Friedman are here to fight for your right to fair compensation after a workplace injury. We have a team of experienced lawyers in Wilmington, Newark and Seaford who will advocate for you. Let us arrange a free consultation to discuss your case. You can reach us by calling 302-888-2900 or filling out our contact form.