Overusing tendons and muscles by performing repetitive tasks required for your job in Missouri can result in microdamage, leading to debilitating pain over time. Medical care and extended time away from work required for healing are often costly. Workers’ compensation may help cover lost wages and injury-related expenses.
The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial relations reports that occupational diseases or illnesses occur due to occupational exposure in the workplace. Although carpal tunnel is among the most common repetitive strain injuries, similar conditions can affect the knees, hips, back, shoulders and arms. Chronic back pain often plagues factory and construction workers.
Causes of RSI
Damage to the soft tissue in your back develops gradually. Factors that contribute to a back RSI include the following:
- Poor posture
- Muscle fatigue
- Awkward or repeated twisting motions or overexertion
- Uninterrupted, repetitious movement
- Using poorly designed equipment
You may initially believe it is stiffness or tiredness after a long day at work, so you might not realize there is a serious issue starting.
Symptoms of RSI
At first, your back may feel tender or as if it’s cramping. Over the following weeks or months, it might become a throbbing ache, which prevents you from focusing on a task and limits movement. If left untreated, an RSI can prevent you from completing not only your job duties but also routine, everyday tasks such as driving or brushing your hair and getting dressed. These are among the many symptoms of cumulative trauma.
Filing a workers’ compensation claim is a complex, time-consuming process. If you receive a denial letter after submitting a claim, it may result from insufficient information regarding the injury, delay in reporting to your employer or any number of reasons. Understanding the requirements for a claim is crucial for receiving a partial or temporary award.