Some workers have the misconception that they can only become eligible for Minnesota workers’ compensation if they had an on-the-job accident or slip-and-fall injury. Not all injuries happen because of a malfunctioning assembly line, exposure to chemicals, slippery floors or falling objects. People who sustain repetitive motion injuries are often eligible for the Minnesota mandatory insurance program that takes care of injured workers. A skilled Minnesota work injury attorney help you receive the lost wages, medical care and permanent disability coverage needed for repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
According to a health article by John Hopkins Medicine, repetitive motion injuries or repetitive stress injuries can cause permanent or temporary damage to nerves, muscles, tendons and ligaments. The issue arises because of the repeat motions. People who have office jobs and those who work on assembly line soften experience similar injuries. Having to type without proper breaks and office chair and equipment and being forced to perform the same lifting motion throughout the day often result in life-changing injuries that affect not only work performance. In some case, people have trouble functioning with the day-to-day routine tasks.
Dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome
One common repetitive motion injury is carpal tunnel syndrome, a disorder that happens when the median nerve is squeezed by inflamed tendons and ligaments. The word “tunnel” comes from the fact that the median nerve goes from the forearm to the arm in a sort of tunnel.
Some of the symptoms include pain, numbness, loss of motion, loss of flexibility, clumsiness and lack of strength. Without treatment, people often lose the entire function of their hands. Most people experience the greatest symptoms and most pain in their dominant hand, which makes the situation even more stressful and frustrating.
Receiving therapy for repetitive motion injuries
By receiving workers’ compensation, individuals with repetitive motion injuries are able to pay for comprehensive rehabilitation programs as well as their basic living expenses while they are unable to work.
The goal is to get back to your highest level of function and independence. Some of the various treatments to reach the goal of rehabilitation include exercise programs, occupational therapy, the use of braces or splints, heat and cold applications, pain management techniques and overall education. Some of the professionals that help include a primary care doctor, sports medicine doctor, neurosurgeon and other specialists and surgeons.
In some cases, a psychiatrist, occupational therapist and vocational counselors helps you get back to work. A psychiatrist helps people who feel depressed and mentally fatigued because of the chronic pain and changes to their physical abilities.
Manual work takes toll on people over time. If you experience chronic pain that gets in the way of your routine tasks, talk to an attorney about navigating workers’ compensation claims. Don’t think your only option is to rely on addictive pain medications when there is help for carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and bursitis. If your employer is sarcastic or intimidating about your concerns and complaints, document the conversations including e-mails.
Keep a log of any proactive moves you have made to receive treatment, change your work situation to accommodate your health needs and communicate with supervisors or the human resource department. Ultimately, it’s your right to file a workers’ compensation claim to deal with repetitive motion injuries that could permanently affect your ability to work, care or your family, earn money and live your lifestyle.
At the Law Office of Joshua Borken, we help people who have had their claim for workers’ compensation denied as well as those starting a new case. For more information about filing an appeal and hiring a Minnesota work injury attorney, please contact us today.