As a worker, you can have a repetitive motion injury or wear and tear injury when your muscles, tendons, ligaments, or nerves suffer damage after you make the same motion over and over again. Typically, the small tears can be naturally healed by your body; however, when natural healing does not occur, this can result in inflammation and potentially a repetitive stress injury. Depending on how serious your injury is, this injury can lead to temporary or permanent damage.
As a sufferer of a repetitive stress injury, you may be eligible for New Jersey workers’ compensation benefits. But, you must consult one of the best New Jersey employment lawyers since there are guidelines that must be followed when notifying your employer about your injury and getting treatment. If you fail to follow these guidelines, you can jeopardize your ability to get workers’ compensation benefits.
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Common Repetitive Motion Injuries
The following are two of the most common types of repetitive motion injuries:
- Tendonitis. If you have tendonitis, you will experience pain in the affected area that will usually get worse when the tendon is used for moving that body party. This injury usually affects the elbows, shoulders, and biceps.
- Bursitis. This injury develops when a bursa becomes inflamed. The human body is composed of at least 150 bursae, which are sacs found in body parts where friction may occur. Bursitis also causes pain in the affected area and a limited range of motion
Seeking Workers’ Comp Benefits
If you experience pain and a reduced ability to effectively do your job duties because of a repetitive stress injury, you can pursue a New Jersey workers’ comp claim. The state’s workers’ comp system doesn’t require you to prove that your condition was anyone’s fault. Also, it offers ongoing benefits until you can return to work. These benefits may include medical and wage benefits.
A wear and tear injury may be a legitimate on-the-job injury for which you must get workers’ comp benefits; however, it can be difficult to file a successful claim. The first step you must take is to seek medical help to document your injury. With the right employment attorney representing your interests, you can get the benefits you deserve. Often, insurance adjusters presume that this type of injury is related to the natural aging process or resulting from a pre-existing condition not related to your work. An experienced attorney will collect strong evidence that your injury is work-related.