Not all injuries that people suffer on the job involve dramatic accidents with malfunctioning machinery. Sometimes, it is just the daily performance of your job responsibilities that will cause a serious injury.
Repetitive motion injuries, sometimes also referred to as cumulative trauma, involve damage to the musculoskeletal system caused by performing the same actions or tasks over and over. There are many different careers that can put someone at risk of developing a repetitive motion injury because of their job responsibilities.
What kind of jobs can result in repetitive motion injuries?
As you could probably guess, needing to twist, list, squat or turn at work over and over during your day could result in injury to the body parts doing all of that moving.
Workers who have to lift significant weights over and over could develop injuries to their backs or knees. Workers who have to twist or turn from one station to another could develop injuries in their back, shoulders or neck. Those who grip a steering wheel or type all day could it develop injuries to their hands or arm.
Careers associated with repetitive motion injuries, such as carpal tunnel, include:
- Professional drivers
- Office workers
- Factory workers
- Cooks working in a high-volume environment
- Dishwashers
- Medical staff that must lift or move patients
- Anyone who does the same task for extended periods on the job
What happens after a repetitive motion injury?
Recognizing the signs of a repetitive motion injury is the first step toward healing. Generally, you will have to rest the affected body part. In some cases, surgery, medication or physical therapy can facilitate someone’s recovery.
Filing a workers’ compensation claim can not only replace lost wages while you rest your injured body part, but it can also provide you with full coverage of your medical expenses.
