- Workers' Compensation
When most people think about workers’ compensation, they envision construction workers falling from a building. Or they imagine a warehouse worker who injures their back. Our Riverview workers comp attorneys can tell you that this isn’t the case. Almost anyone can suffer a repetitive stress injury.
It doesn’t matter what you do for a living. There’s always a chance that you could suffer a workplace injury. It’s important that you talk to a Riverview workers’ compensation lawyer to find out what your rights are.
What Is a Repetitive Stress Injury and What Normally Causes It?
A repetitive stress injury occurs when you use a particular body part repeatedly. Some of the most common types include carpal tunnel syndrome, back strains from heavy lifting, and tendonitis.
Usually, these injuries occur at work. Repetitive stress injuries can be caused by hobbies like playing golf or shooting pool. But for the purposes of this article, we’re only going to focus on repetitive stress injuries that take place on the job.
What Types of Workers Are Prone to Suffering a Repetitive Stress Injury?
Anybody who uses the same body part throughout the day is at risk of developing a repetitive stress injury.
In our experience, there are certain workers who suffer repetitive strain injuries more than others. Some of these include the following:
- Casino dealers
- Electricians
- Office workers and administrators
- Small part machinists
- Nurses
- IT workers
- Workers with physically demanding jobs
Our Riverview Workers Compensation Lawyers Have Helped All Sorts of Workers
Over the years, our Riverview workers’ compensation lawyers have helped all sorts of people get the benefits they deserve. As long as you can prove that your injuries were caused by your job, there’s no reason why your claim should be denied.
The problem is that, unlike with other job-related injuries, carpal tunnel and other repetitive stress injuries develop over time. Your Riverview workers comp attorney can’t point to a particular event and say it was the cause of their injuries.
Your Riverview workers’ compensation lawyer will have to prove that your injuries developed over the course of your employment.
Many People With a Repetitive Stress Injury Work with Their Hands
A lot of people who go out on workers comp for a repetitive stress injury work with their hands. Of course, there are other ways of developing this condition. For the most part, however, people who deal cards, type, or work with small parts are at a greater risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.
People whose job involves gardening/landscaping, woodworking, shoveling, or painting are at increased risk of tendinitis.
What Will Your Riverview Workers Comp Attorney Do if Your Employer Denies Your Claim?
Once you’re diagnosed with this injury, you need to notify your employer. Most of these cases are work-related. If your employer denies your claim, then you should talk to a Riverview workers’ compensation lawyer.
Your attorney will reach out to your employer and their insurance carrier. They’ll find out why your claim was denied and what you can do to fix it. If they refuse to listen to reason, your Riverview workers comp attorney can always appeal your claim to the Division of Workers’ Compensation.
What Kind of Medical Treatment Is Required for a Repetitive Stress Injury?
The type of treatment you need can vary depending on what kind of repetitive stress injury you have. Many people with carpal tunnel syndrome need surgery to correct the issue. Sometimes, doctors prefer to do it one hand or wrist at a time. Other times, they do them both together.
Either way, there’s a good chance you’ll be out of work for weeks or even months. It isn’t fair that your medical care wouldn’t be covered. After all, if it weren’t for your job, you wouldn’t have gotten hurt.
You also shouldn’t have to worry about medical bills. Workers’ compensation takes care of any medical treatment related to your workplace accident or injury.
How Long Will You Be Out of Work?
Many of our clients want to know how long they’ll be out on workers’ compensation. The truth is that your Riverview workers’ compensation lawyer has no way to know, precisely, how long you’ll be out of work.
What they can do is talk to your workers’ compensation doctor and find out what your prognosis is. They’re required to provide this information to both your Riverview workers comp attorney and the insurance carrier.
You won’t receive workers’ comp benefits for the first seven days you miss work. If you’re unable to work for more than 21 days, you may be paid for the first seven days.
How Long Will Your Benefits Last?
Your benefits will end once your workers’ compensation doctor says you’re ready to return to your job. In Florida, you’re only entitled to 104 weeks’ worth of temporary disability benefits. This is only two years.
For most people who suffer a repetitive stress injury, this will be plenty of time. However, your case may be more complex than others. If that’s the case, once your benefits run out, your Riverview workers’ compensation lawyer can try to negotiate additional benefits for your permanent injury.
Call Our Seasoned Riverview Workers Comp Attorneys Today
If you’ve ever been out on workers’ compensation, you know how confusing it can be. Sometimes, our clients don’t have an idea of where to start. That’s why we suggest you talk with a skilled workers compensation lawyer in Riverview right away.
If you don’t handle your claim the right way from the start, your claim may be denied. If you’ve developed a repetitive stress injury like carpal tunnel syndrome, you may need physical therapy and even surgery.
This kind of treatment can be extremely expensive. The last thing you’ll want to do is pay for this care out of pocket.
We offer all new clients a free, initial consultation. All you have to do is contact our office at (954) 324-COMP. One of our agents will help you find a date and time that works for you.
