Many people in North Carolina and elsewhere usually consider dangerous occupations, such as construction workers and law enforcement, to be the employees who suffer work-related injuries the most. While this is largely true, even those with desk job can still suffer work-related injuries. The most common type of injuries are repetitive strain injuries (RSI).
What are repetitive strain injuries
Repetitive strain injuries occur when a person does the same motion over and over again for hours on end, leading to injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerve endings. A person who sits at a desk typing all day may develop carpal tunnel syndrome or some other malady, and repetitive strain injuries can affect line workers on assembly lines. Other industries that see a lot of repetitive strain injuries include the following
- Tailoring
- Golf
- Driving
- Culinary work
- Dentistry
- Surgical work
Symptoms of RSI
Most injuries manifest as pain that can range from mild to debilitating. A person may also have swelling and inflammation as well as numbness and stiffness. Other symptoms may also manifest, and the injury can greatly adversely affect the production of the injured employee. The injuries can affect any body part but are mostly seen in the wrists and hands, forearms and elbows, and neck and shoulders.
Those who suffer RSIs at work will need to consult with a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment of their conditions. They should also work with their employer to obtain reasonable accommodations and perhaps request leave to help heal the injury. Employees also have the right to obtain workers’ compensation benefits. As this is a complex area of law with a high rate of claim denials, a worker in North Carolina affected by RSI or some other work-related injury will want to work with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer for assistance.