While some workplace injuries may seem more apparent than others, none are excluded from workers’ compensation coverage and benefits. If you believe you have developed repetitive motion disorder due to your job, you should file a claim and consult with an attorney as soon as you can.
At Alpert Schreyer Injury Accident Lawyers, our Maryland workers’ compensation lawyers pay close attention to the needs of our clients and work closely with them towards optimal case outcomes. To learn more about what we can do for you, call our toll-free number at (301) 932-9997.
What Is Repetitive Motion Disorder?
Repetitive motion disorders are commonly experienced in the hands, arms, shoulders, and back, but they may affect any area of the body. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines repetitive motion disorders as muscular conditions that are caused by the repeated strain of performing the same basic motion in repetition, often as part of one’s daily routine. This repeated strain can lead to muscle and soft tissue damage, pinched or damaged nerves, and bone thinning or growth, all of which can lead to significant permanent disabilities.
Statistics by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicate that approximately 25 percent of all reported workplace injuries are in fact repetitive motion disorders. Close to 65 percent of all reported incidents of repetitive motion injury involve the back while 32 percent involve the shoulders, arms, or hands. These injuries cost employers and workers nearly $20 billion each year in medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses.
What Are the Common Types of Repetitive Motion Disorders?
RMDs can be attributed to a wide variety of factors, including bad posture, muscle fatigue, overexertion, unnatural or awkward motions, or the repetition of the same simple motion over a long period of time. Symptoms include pain, tingling, numbness, swelling, or redness at the affected area, and reduced flexibility and strength.
The more common types of RMDs include:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis
- Epicondylitis
- Ganglion Cyst
- Tenosynovitis
- Trigger Finger
If you are experiencing any symptoms of RMD or suspect you have been inflicted with any of the above disorders, it is highly advised that you make an appointment with a trusted physician right away.
What Can Workers’ Comp Give Me for My RMD?
Maryland workers who have moderate or severe repetitive motion injuries may be eligible for workers’ compensation payments to cover their medical bills when the injury requires treatment. If they lose time from work, they may also be able to receive temporary total disability benefits while they heal in order to cover the wages they lose. Additionally, workers’ compensation may pay for vocational rehabilitation if the worker becomes unable to do his or her previous job at all due to the repetitive motion injury. This training will teach them how to work in another job that they can perform with their disability.
Maryland Work Injury Attorneys
In Maryland, employees may receive workers’ compensation benefits for any “personal accidental injury [that arises] out of and in the course of employment.” In other words, a qualifying injury does not necessarily have to be induced in a single workplace accident. It can develop from the daily performance of one’s job duties over a period of weeks, months, or years. These duties may include working on an assembly line, typing, utilizing certain tools or equipment, and more. Such an injury is commonly referred to as a repetitive motion disorder (RMD), which is classified as an occupational disease injury by the state.
Dependable Maryland Workers’ Comp Lawyers
Repetitive motion injuries can slowly creep up on a worker, affecting them when they least expect it, keeping them from performing in gainful employment, and also enjoying many of the things they love. At Alpert Schreyer Injury Accident Lawyers, our experienced Maryland work injury attorneys can help you with every step of the post-injury process, from filing your initial workers’ compensation claim to holding any negligent third parties responsible for their actions.
Contact us today for a free and confidential case evaluation with our experienced legal team.
