If your job requires you to perform repetitive tasks, stand in awkward postures, or lift heavy objects repeatedly, you may develop a wear-and-tear injury from the stress of doing your job. Over time, wear and tear injuries can become debilitating. Some may require surgery and lengthy recoveries. You need money to pay your medical costs and bills while you get well. You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for a wear-and-tear injury that occurred on the job.
The attorneys at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer are highly experienced at helping people in Kentucky with workers’ compensation claims. Many of the claims we handle involve wear-and-tear injuries. While you may know firsthand that your job caused a wear-and-tear injury, proving this to your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance administrator can be challenging on your own. You need an experienced workers’ compensation attorney who knows the systems and will fight for the compensation you are entitled to after a work-related wear-and-tear injury.
The lawyers at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer have secured more than $300 million for our clients. It takes courage for an injured worker to stand up to big insurance companies when they try to deny a claim for workers’ comp benefits. Our attorneys are known for their Kentucky Courage in helping hardworking Kentuckians just like you. We have offices throughout Kentucky. We can listen to your story and explain your options for seeking the benefits provided by law. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Wear and Tear Injuries
Repetitive motions on the job cause many wear-and-tear injuries. You may have heard of wear and tear injuries referred to as repetitive stress or cumulative trauma injuries. Regardless of what you call them, these injuries involve a repetitive motion that causes stress, inflammation, and gradual damage to muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and joints over time.
Many jobs involve repetitive motions that could cause a wear-and-tear injury, including the following:
- Regularly lifting objects
- Carrying heavy or awkwardly sized objects
- Working in awkward or stressful positions for significant periods of time on a near-daily basis
- Using vibrating tools and equipment
- Repeating one motion with one part of the body numerous times a day
- Relying exclusively on one muscle or body part to complete a repetitive task
- Putting prolonged pressure on one muscle, joint, or part of the body
While a repetitive motion might not cause pain at first, an array of painful and debilitating symptoms can develop over time, including the following:
- Pain, which can be sharp, pulsing, or dull
- Swelling
- Tenderness at the site of the injury
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Stiffness
- Cramping
- Loss of strength
- Decreased range of motion
If you are experiencing an injury that you believe is related to your job duties or work conditions, contact an attorney at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer to discuss whether you have a valid wear-and-tear claim. Kentucky’s workers’ compensation law covers injuries arising out of and in the course of employment, including wear-and-tear injuries. But these claims can be challenging to pursue. An employer may dispute the claim, saying the wear and tear is related to normal aging rather than job duties.
Our knowledgeable attorneys can help you demand all the work injury benefits available to you under Kentucky law. Call us today.
Workers performing repetitive tasks may find the following techniques helpful in preventing wear and tear injuries from developing or worsening:
- Take frequent breaks from repetitive tasks.
- Wear protective gear, such as braces.
- Focus on good posture.
- Set up your working area ergonomically.
- Rest whenever you can, especially when off work.
- Strengthen the area of repetitive use.
- Research exercises that can counteract wear and tear on the area of your body that is being affected.
Improper Lifting Techniques
If your job involves lifting objects, it is essential to use proper lifting techniques. Improper lifting techniques can cause wear and tear injuries such as muscle strains or tears and lower back pain. Over time, improper lifting can still cause debilitating injuries.
By using the following lifting techniques, you may be able to prevent wear-and-tear injuries associated with lifting objects in the workplace:
- Know what you’re lifting – Understand the weight, size, and shape of the object you must lift before picking it up. Visualize how you will lift it, how long you must hold it, and where it must go.
- Check your surroundings – Ensure the area around you is clear of tripping or slipping hazards. It can be difficult to see what is around or in front of you when carrying a large object.
- Lift with your legs – By utilizing your leg muscles to lift an object, you distribute the weight to more muscles rather than overburdening just one muscle group.
- Do not bend at the waist – If you bend at the waist to lift or put down a large or heavy object, you are placing significant stress on your lower back and increasing your risk of a wear and tear back injury.
- Use equipment if necessary – Some objects are too heavy or oversized to lift yourself. Use a dolly, cart, hand truck, or furniture pads to move objects instead.
- Ask for help – Some jobs are better done by two people rather than one. If you must lift a large object, ask a coworker for help.
- Rest if needed – If you or your muscles feel fatigued, set the object down and rest.
Hazardous Working Conditions
Any workplace condition that presents risks to employees can be classified as hazardous. Ergonomic hazards can increase employees’ risks of developing wear and tear injuries. Some examples of ergonomic hazards include:
- Incorrect posture
- Excessive physical effort required to complete a task
- Stationary position
- Vibration
- Extreme temperatures
- Equipment setup and operation
- Workstation design
- Frequency and repetition of motions
Employers have a responsibility to their employees to maintain a working environment free of preventable hazards. To decrease hazardous working conditions that contribute to wear and tear injuries, employers should provide protective equipment, offer frequent breaks, and design workspaces with the employee’s health and safety in mind.
Injured at Work Due to Repetitive Tasks? Talk to Our Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
If you have suffered a wear and tear injury because of your job, the workers’ compensation lawyers at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer can help you pursue the benefits you are entitled to by law. We understand the causes and complications of wear-and-tear injuries and have helped many Kentucky workers seek the benefits they need. Contact the workers’ compensation attorneys at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer today for a free initial consultation.
