The repetitive wear and tear from years of hard work in Kentucky coal mines, construction sites, factories, warehouses, or office cubicles can lead to debilitating injuries. You may seek workers’ compensation benefits if you are diagnosed with a job-related wear-and-tear injury.
If your employer is disputing your right to benefits after a wear-and-tear injury diagnosis, contact an experienced Lexington workers’ compensation lawyer with Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer. Our attorneys are known for the Kentucky Courage we summon to help hardworking Kentuckians demand the full workers’ comp benefits they need.
What is a Wear and Tear Injury?
Wear-and-tear injuries occur to muscle, tendon, and nerve tissue as workers repeatedly subject their bodies to stress and strain over many months or years. These injuries involve greater-than-expected degenerative changes to a part of the body caused by work activity or conditions. Wear-and-tear injuries are also known as cumulative trauma injuries.
Symptoms of wear-and-tear injuries may include:
- Pain in the affected area, such as the hand, wrist, shoulder, neck, lower back, or knees
- Numbness, tingling, tremors
- Weakness in the hands, arms, or legs
- Fatigue
Wear-and-tear injuries may be caused by long-term:
- Repetitive tasks or motions
- Forceful pulling, pushing, lifting, gripping, or other exertions
- Vibrations, such as from power tools
- Mechanical compression, such as using tools that press against the palm
- Sustained postures such as bending or squatting
Job duties that may lead to wear-and-tear injuries include:
- Data entry
- Heavy lifting, reaching, or bending over
- Crawling in and out of confined spaces
- Cleaning activities
- Sewing
- Product assembly or packing
- Sorting
- Welding
Wear-and-tear injuries may be diagnosed as:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Wrist tendonitis
- Ulnar nerve entrapment (hand and forearm pain)
- Epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
- Hand-arm vibration syndrome
- Shoulder tendonitis
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Bursitis
- Lower back injury.
How to Prove Wear and Tear Injury is Work-Related?
Employers and insurers often deny workers’ compensation claims to save money. If your claim is disputed, contact an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer for help. Our attorneys can gather evidence to support your eligibility for benefits.
To prove that you have suffered a work-related injury, you should document the following:
- Your injury with current and past medical records,
- Your current job and work history, such as with job descriptions from your job or the U.S. Occupational Outlook Handbook,
- Your wage records to calculate your average weekly wages,
- Your first report of your injury diagnosis to your employer.
You should seek the assistance of an experienced Kentucky workers’ compensation attorney.
Why You May Be Owed Workers’ Comp Benefits?
Workers’ compensation provides insurance benefits to most Kentucky employees who are injured or become ill because of job duties or working conditions. The benefits include:
- Payment of all medical bills
- Payment of a portion of lost wages
- Stipends for permanent disabilities
Reach Out to Your Kentucky Workers’ Comp Attorneys
Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer can help you seek the full workers’ compensation benefits you deserve for a wear-and-tear injury suffered because of your job duties in Kentucky. Call us now at (877) 809-5352 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and put Kentucky Courage to work for you.
