Do Repetitive Motion Injuries in Skilled Trades Qualify for Workers’ Comp?
You probably have heard that adage about ‘an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure.’ Yet, during a busy workday, a future injury might not be on one’s radar. Many physically demanding jobs—like those in the skilled trades—require the same movement patterns over and over throughout the day. A repetitive motion injury may occur before a skilled tradesperson realizes that an issue has developed.
Which Skilled Trade Activities Cause Repetitive Motion Injuries?
If you work in the skilled trades, the very nature of your job presents challenges that may ultimately result in a disabling repetitive motion injury. The repetitive physical demands required in construction and skilled labor make overuse injuries in tradespeople quite common.
These injuries to the musculoskeletal system—especially the hands, shoulders, neck, back and knees—may be caused by actions that create continuous stress, including:
- Repeated lifting
- Carrying heavy loads
- Gripping equipment
- Climbing ladders
- Overhead work
- Kneeling
- Awkward body positioning
An overuse injury develops gradually over time due to repeated stress being placed on muscles, tendons, joints or ligaments. Additionally, it is a given that many tradespeople continue working through early symptoms and fatigue, considering them “part of their job.” As a result, overcompensations—including poor movement patterns and additional stress on other joints and muscles—can occur and lead to chronic pain and injury.
What Areas of the Body Can Be Affected by Repetitive Motion Injury?
The shoulders and back top the list of affected areas for tradespeople:
- Shoulders
- Lower back
- Neck
- Wrists and hands
- Elbows
- Hands
- Knees
- Hips
Shoulder pain can be a result of: lifting, pulling, reaching, carrying and repetitive arm movements that are required by many trades. Lower back pain is also extremely common due to: repetitive lifting, twisting, bending, carrying heavy loads and prolonged physical labor. Overhead work and prolonged awkward positioning can lead to: neck tension, headaches and nerve-related symptoms. Grip-intensive jobs can place constant stress on the wrists, hands, elbows and forearms. Finally, kneeling and climbing may contribute to knee or hip pain. Tradespeople are subject to a lot of wear and tear on their body parts.
Repetitive Motion Injuries Cost the Industry and the Worker
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, disabling workplace injuries cost the construction industry a whopping $10.4 billion annually. Those disabling workplace injuries involving repetitive motions account for $1.8 billion in costs per year. The real cost of all this lost work hits the actual worker the hardest—in terms of reduced worktime, lost wages and chronic pain.
What Repetitive Motion Injuries Might Qualify for Workers’ Compensation?
According to WebMD, a repetitive motion injury is damage to muscles, nerves, ligaments and tendons caused by doing the same movement over and over. These injuries are caused by repetitive physical demands, especially for skilled tradespeople, and may involve:
- Inflammation
- Tendon irritation
- Muscle strain
- Joint stress
- Nerve irritation
- Movement compensations
How Can Worker’s Compensation Help With My Repetitive Motion Injury?
Workers' compensation is a no-fault system of benefits paid by employers to workers who experience work-related injuries, including those caused by repetitive motion. Under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, an injured worker is entitled to compensation for medical costs as well as wages lost while they are unable to work.
Workers’ compensation (WC) can provide genuine relief and financial support to injured workers, but navigating the WC system can be quite a challenge to the everyday people that need their benefits the most due to their concerns about:
- Chronic pain
- Medical treatment and bills
- Wage replacement benefits
Why Do I Need an Attorney to Help With My Workers’ Compensation Claim?
It is important to be aware of what is required of you throughout the workers’ compensation process. The legal team at Black & Jones has over 60 years of combined experience, and we serve the Rockford area, Northern Illinois and beyond to help you fight for the benefits you have earned. We offer important information to help guide you. Contact us today at (815) 967-9000 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation and explore your legal options.