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The dangers of ignoring repetitive strain injuries

On Behalf of | Oct 5, 2024 | Work Injuries |

Minor aches and pains are part of most employment arrangements. Workers who perform repeated tasks may notice painful symptoms toward the end of a shift. They may go home with stiff or tired muscles.

Minor discomfort during and after work is likely not cause for concern. However, when those symptoms persist or worsen, workers may need to take action. It is easy for people to overlook how the pain they experience on the job starts developing earlier in the shift and lasting longer after they go home. They may also fail to recognize when their symptoms slowly worsen over time.

Unfortunately, many workers ignore the signs of a repetitive strain injury, also called a repetitive stress injury. By the time they decide to take action, they may experience debilitating pain that affects their job performance and daily life. Trying to work through pain can be a major mistake for workers who do repetitive job tasks.

The condition may worsen without treatment

Obviously, workers can’t just go home sick every time they feel muscle aches or tension. However, they still need to monitor their bodies and speak up when they have significant, persistent symptoms. Repetitive strain injuries do not resolve on their own in most cases. They only get better after a worker rests their body, changes job functions or undergoes medical treatment.

Those who ignore the early warning signs of repetitive strain injuries may require a longer leave of absence from work and may be more likely to have permanent symptoms that forever limit their functional capabilities.

The worker may risk employment consequences

Even if a worker feels like they can power through the symptoms of a repetitive strain injury, their pain might affect their job performance. They may slow down or become less precise. Their employer might start taking issue with their job performance.

Some workers dealing with repetitive strain injuries may end up on a performance improvement plan. Others may end up written up and at risk of termination because they fail to meet company standards. Those who report the incident to their employer, request accommodations and undergo treatment can avoid retaliation because their condition affects their job performance.

Workers’ compensation benefits can help those with repetitive strain injuries pay for their treatments. Benefits can also replace lost wages if workers have to take time away from their jobs.

Filing a workers’ compensation claim can help workers get the rest and treatment they need while also potentially protecting their employment when they have a work injury. There should be no shame in acknowledging that the repetitive demands of a job have led to painful symptoms.

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