The challenge with repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) is widespread as this type of injury occurs in many work environments where workers may do tasks that require repetitions, they maintain awkward postures, and there can be overuse of a body part.
These injuries can impair a person’s ability to do their job, resulting in lost wages and medical bills just as they would in other areas of Virginia Beach as described on the Website. Whether you are the one who suffered from this injury or you are an employer, it is necessary to understand what workers’ compensation for RSIs in Virginia Beach is.
Explanation of Repetitive Strain Injury
Commonly referred to as repetitive stress injuries, repetitive strain injuries will affect muscles, tendons, and nerves mostly in the upper body. Common RSIs include:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: This is caused due to pressure on the median nerve in the wrist along with numbness, tingling, and pain in the hand & arm.
- Tendonitis: Inflammation of the tendons, common around joints such as injuries in the elbows (tennis elbow) or shoulders
- Bursitis: Swelling of the bursa, tiny fluid-filled bags that pad blocks and tendons around joints.
- Rotator Cuff Syndrome: injury to shoulder-stabilizing muscles and tendons results in pain, reduced motion
- Epicondylitis: Areas of inflammation in the tendons surrounding the elbow)
All these injuries are results of repeated actions, overuse (forceful effort), or unusual constraints (like remaining fixed on a posture). Typing, assembly line work, and any job that requires continuous lifting or gripping is a common perpetrators.
Workers Compensation for RSIs in Virginia Beach
Are You Eligible for Workers’ Comp?
In Virginia Beach, illnesses and injuries sustained while working are covered by workers’ compensation. An RSI must have a direct correlation to the task done to qualify for compensation. RSIs develop gradually, unlike acute injuries, which result from a single incidence, making it occasionally difficult to establish a connection to the workplace.
File a Workers’ Compensation Claim
1. Report: That means if you begin experiencing symptoms related to an RSI, tell your employer right away. At the latest, injuries must be reported within 30 days of injury occurrence as per Virginia law but sooner reporting is encouraged.
2. Seek Medical Care: Take yourself to a doctor and ask for a treatment plan explaining that this is a work-related injury.
3. Documentation: This includes documentation of symptoms, visits to checkups, and everything that happens every time they talk with them, the insurance company, or the employer.
4. How to file a Claim: Your employer will give you the forms to fill out to make a workers’ compensation claim. Be sure to complete and submit these forms correctly.
5. Follow-up: you should be calling your employer and the insurance company to get updates. Keep all your medical appointments and take your medication as prescribed.
Compensation Coverage
RSIs are workers’ compensation in Virginia Beach that may encompass:
- Medical Expenses: Payments that can range from doctor’s consultations to hospital surgery salaries, physical therapy, drugs we take, etc.
- Lost Wages: This can cover part of the income you missed for the period you were unable to work because of your injury.
- Permanent Disability: Compensation for impaired, but lasting injury.
- Vocational Rehabilitation: Help with retraining or finding a job if you can’t go back to your old one.
This is a major problem for several workers in the city of Virginia Beach. Knowing your workers’ comp rights and preventing these injuries can go a long way in maintaining your health (and employability). If you suspect that you have a work-related repetitive stress injury (RSI), notify your employer as soon as possible, make an appointment with a medical professional, and file for workers’ compensation correctly. Employers and employees both have a part to play in providing a safe working environment, helping to lower the risk of RSIs for us all.
