Louisiana Repetitive Motion Injury Lawyer
Practice Areas
Repetitive Motion Injury Lawyers in Shreveport, Bossier City, and Mansfield LA
Helping those who have received an on-the-job injury and are seeking workers’ compensation.
Workplace injuries don’t always have to be traumatic events such as falling from a ladder or getting into a work-related car accident. Sometimes, a work-related injury can be caused by performing the same motions over and over again, which can cause the affected areas to become damaged. This type of injury is what we call a repetitive stress injury, also known as a repetitive motion injury, and can develop in people working in various industries. According to Louisiana workers’ compensation laws, repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel and tendinitis qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.
At Gordon & Gordon, our attorneys have experience handling a wide variety of both personal injury and workers’ compensation claims. Filing a claim for a repetitive stress injury can be complicated, as these injuries often develop over time. To schedule a free consultation regarding your repetitive stress injury, contact a Shreveport workers’ compensation attorney by calling (318) 716-4357 today.
What is a Repetitive Motion Injury?
When a person performs the same motions over and over, it can lead to a repetitive stress injury. The repetitive motions don’t have to be intense like loading boxes onto a truck. They can also affect people who work on a computer all day. Using the same muscles repetitively can cause wear and tear, leading to pain, swelling, and weakness in the affected area.
In some cases, repetitive motion injuries can affect a person’s ability to perform their job. When this happens, employees can file a workers’ compensation claim for their injuries.
Types of Repetitive Motion Injuries
Workers can suffer from various types of repetitive stress injuries and can sometimes be affected by more than one. Repetitive stress injuries can affect different areas of the body but most commonly occur in the wrists, knees, shoulders, and arms. In serious cases, these injuries can be extremely painful and lead to more serious conditions if left untreated.
The most common repetitive stress injuries are listed below.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
A person can develop carpal tunnel syndrome from performing repetitive motions with their wrists and fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause pain, tingling, and numbness in the hand and wrist. This repetitive stress injury affects women more often than men.
The carpal tunnel is a narrow pathway inside the wrist that connects the median nerve and tendons to the hand and forearm. When the carpal tunnel in the wrist tightens, it causes pressure on the median nerve and tendon. This pressure causes the median nerve and tendons to swell, cutting off sensations in the fingers and hand.
The repetitive motions that can cause a person to develop carpal tunnel syndrome are vibrations, high-force (hammering), long-term use, and extreme wrist motions. If untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome can worsen, making simple tasks much more difficult than they once were.
Tendinitis
Tendinitis is a common repetitive stress injury that causes the connective tissue between bones and muscles to become inflamed. Tendinitis most commonly affects the shoulders, elbows, and knees. Those suffering from tendinitis usually feel pain and soreness around the affected joint.
Common activities that can cause tendinitis are shoveling, landscaping, and painting, but it can also develop if a person has poor posture. In addition to joint pain, a person can experience stiff joints, swelling, and popping noises when they move their joint.
Bursitis
Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, muscles, tendons, and skin. When a bursa gets irritated, it can become swollen and painful. Bursitis can occur anywhere in the body, like elbows, shoulders, knees, hips, and feet.
Workers can develop bursitis from putting too much pressure on a bursa through repetitive movements. Activities like painting, scrubbing, carpentry, and shoveling can cause bursitis. People who perform daily manual labor or physical activity are more likely to develop bursitis. Those suffering from diabetes, thyroid disease, and arthritis are also at a higher risk of bursitis.
Trigger Finger
Trigger finger occurs when the tendons around the fingers swell or thicken, making it difficult to move the affected fingers. The name comes from the position that fingers are usually frozen in, which makes it appear as if you’re pulling a trigger. The ring finger is generally affected by trigger finger.
When the tendons in fingers or thumbs become irritated and swollen, it can be difficult for them to glide within the protective sheaths. A sheath is a tunnel of tissue that surrounds tendons, protects them, and holds them in place. Sometimes, a nodule can develop on an irritated tendon, making it even more difficult to move your finger.
Repetitive motions like gripping and using a lot of force with your thumb and fingers can cause a person to develop trigger finger. As such, workers who repeatedly use manual tools are at a higher risk of trigger finger.
Tennis Elbow or Golfer Elbow
Tennis or golfer elbow doesn’t just affect athletes. Anyone who uses their forearms, hands, or wrists can develop this repetitive stress injury. People working in certain industries are more likely to suffer from tennis elbow. Occupations like dentists, manicurists, assembly line workers, mechanics, and chefs are more prone to tennis elbow.
When muscles get tired from repetitive movements, the tendon can take over the load. Over time, the tendons can begin to degenerate, causing a condition called tendinosis. If untreated, the tendon can tear.
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Rotator cuff injuries can occur when the muscles and tendons that connect the bones of the shoulder joint become inflamed or irritated. Over time, the irritation can lead to a rotator cuff tear, where the tendon is torn away from the bone.
Poor posture and performing repetitive motions with your arm over your head can lead to rotator cuff injuries. It’s important to seek medical treatment if you suspect a rotator cuff injury because once the tendon tears, the only treatment is surgery.
How Do Repetitive Stress Injuries Occur?
Repetitive stress injuries can be caused by any activity or motion that you repeat frequently. As the body experiences the same pressures and stress, it can cause microscopic tears in tissue. Since the motions are constantly repeated, the tears are not able to heal as quickly as they’re being made. These tears can lead to inflammation and pain in the affected areas. Workers who have poor posture or work with tools that vibrate are often at a higher risk of developing a repetitive stress injury.
Can I File a Workers’ Compensation Claim for Repetitive Motion Injuries?
Injured workers who believe they’ve developed a repetitive stress injury must report the injury to their employer as soon as possible. In Louisiana, workers need to report their injury within 30 days to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Once you’ve reported the injury, seek medical treatment for an official diagnosis.
In order to receive workers’ compensation benefits, you must be able to prove that the injury was work-related. Evidence like medical exams and proof that you perform repetitive tasks at your job can help strengthen your workers’ compensation claim.
Since most repetitive stress injuries develop gradually over some time, it can be challenging to file workers’ compensation claims. Working with an experienced Louisiana workers’ compensation attorney can increase your chances of having a successful claim. The attorneys at Gordon & Gordon will collect evidence proving your injury exists and that it’s affecting your job.
Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Act
The Louisiana Workers Compensation Act includes workers’ compensation coverage for repetitive stress injuries that occur while at work. To receive workers’ compensation benefits for your injury, you must be able to provide evidence that the injury was a result of your job to be eligible for coverage. The repetitive stress injury must also be debilitating and affect your ability to perform your job.
What Should You Do When Louisiana Workers Compensation Benefits Don’t Cover Everything?
In Louisiana, employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance in the event that an employee gets hurt while at work. Workers should be able to receive coverage for medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation, and more. Unfortunately, the process of obtaining benefits can be complicated, and they may not cover all your costs related to the injury.
When you’re pursuing a workers’ compensation claim, it’s not necessary to hire an attorney, but it can help the process go much smoother and ensure you receive everything you’re entitled to under the law. The Shreveport, Mansfield, and Bossier City workers’ compensation attorneys at Gordon & Gordon will negotiate to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.
Types of Compensation Available for Your Work-Related Injury
A successful workers’ compensation claim can result in an employee recovering compensation for the following damages:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Physical therapy
- Permanent, partial disability benefits
- Temporary, total disability benefits
North Louisiana Attorneys for Injuries Caused By Repetitive Motions and Other Workplace Accidents
If you’re struggling to file a claim for your repetitive stress injury, a workers’ compensation attorney at Gordon & Gordon can help. Our attorneys can help you file your claim and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
To learn more about filing your workers’ comp claim, schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys by calling (318) 716-4357 or contacting us via our online intake form today.