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Many construction workers sustain severe injuries due to a single bad day. However, other employees get harmed gradually throughout a typical workday, causing their muscles and ligaments to give out. These injuries, also known as repetitive stress injuries, occur due to months or years of cumulative trauma, and they are tragically widespread in the construction sector. Talk to Albany construction accident lawyers today to learn more about repetitive motion injuries and what legal options are possible following such injuries.
What causes repetitive motion injuries in construction workers
A repetitive motion injury is any damage induced by repeated lifting, pushing, tugging, vibrations, or holding an unnatural bodily position. These injuries, in addition to being exceedingly painful and difficult to cure, present additional challenges when filing a workers’ compensation claim. Workers will need to give documentation that the injury was caused by the type of work they do, which can be difficult for construction workers who may don multiple hats in a single day.
Workers may have difficulty obtaining compensation for even the most common types of repetitive strain injuries, such as:
- Back injuries
Workers must constantly twist, bend, and extend to pick up or set down large goods. A cumulative trauma injury may arise from the constant pressure, and uncomfortable positions demanded of the spine. To make matters worse, repetitive strain can impair an older worker’s ability to react appropriately in dangerous situations, raising the risk of unexpected injury or death.
- Joint injuries
Tendinitis, or inflammation of the tendons, is a common injury among construction workers due to a lack of enough rest. Most people who strain their tendons can relax after intense exercise, avoiding long-term injury. On the other hand, construction workers put pressure on the tendons in their joints daily, causing the fibers in their knees, shoulders, and elbows to break down.
- Finger injuries
Drill, jackhammer, and nail gun vibrations can induce “trigger-finger” injuries such as tendinitis, Raynaud’s Disease, circulation difficulties (white finger), and nerve damage.
- Wrist injuries
Frequent grabbing and twisting to install fixtures or perform repairs can cause tendons in the wrist to inflame, resulting in DeQuervain syndrome (a painful thumb injury) or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Construction workers may be entitled to payments under workers’ compensation laws if repetitive stress causes an injury or worsens an existing condition. They may also be eligible for permanent disability benefits if the accident prevents them from working or forces them to retire early. If you have sustained repetitive stress injuries due to the nature of your job, talk to an experienced attorney today and get the compensation you deserve.
