Repetitive Stress Injuries Attorney in Peoria, Illinois

Working in an awkward position or performing frequent activities over time often has long-lasting effects on an employee’s health and soft body tissues. Work-related activities like lifting heavy loads, assembly line work, or keyboarding can damage the muscles and ligaments, compress tissues, and cause pain and injury. Essentially, the employee may suffer carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and other repetitive stress injuries. However, these injuries take an extended period to manifest. 

If you suspect that your injury or medical condition is a result of work-related activities, you may be entitled to pursue damages through a workers' compensation claim. At The Law Office of David Hunt, I give comprehensive guidance and reliable advocacy to clients in their repetitive stress injury cases. As a reliable Illinois workers' compensation attorney, I will direct you through the claims process and help you recover your deserved workers' compensation benefits. 

My firm – The Law Office of David Hunt – is proud to serve clients across Peoria, Illinois, and the surrounding areas of Peoria, Woodford, and Caswell counties. 

What Is a Repetitive Stress Injury?  

A repetitive stress injury or repetitive motion injury is a temporary or permanent injury or damage to the soft tissues, ligaments, nerves, muscles, and tendons in the body. The injury or condition occurs over time from performing frequent or repetitive motions. 

Also, repetitive stress injuries can affect the neck, wrist, shoulder, lower back, elbow, knees, or any other joint in the body. In severe cases, the person may be unable to work or even perform their routine daily tasks. 

Examples of Repetitive Stress Injuries 

Here are some common examples of repetitive stress injuries: 

• Carpal tunnel syndrome 

• Tenosynovitis 

• Back injuries from heavy lifting 

• Tennis elbow (Epicondylitis) 

• Cubital tunnel syndrome 

• Lower back pain 

• Chronic neck pain 

• Telegraphists cramp 

• Tendonitis 

• Chronic knee injuries 

• Bursitis 

• Rotator cuff injuries 

• Trigger finger 

• Hearing loss from constant exposure to loud noises 

Symptoms of Repetitive Stress Injuries 

Some common signs and symptoms of repetitive motion injuries are as follows: 

• Pain, aching, or tenderness 

• Cramping 

• Swelling 

• Throbbing 

• Limited range of motion 

• Stiffness 

• Numbness or tingling sensation 

• Weakness 

• Reduced flexibility 

• Sensitivity to heat or cold 

• Loss of coordination or strength 

Who Is At Risk? 

Employees who work in a particular posture or perform frequent or repetitive activities for an extended period have an increased risk of suffering from repetitive strain injuries. Here are some high-risk jobs for repetitive strain injuries: 

• Office workers 

• Professional athletes 

• Medical providers, including physicians and nurses 

• Firefighters 

• Welders 

• Hairdressers 

• Carpenters 

• Housekeepers and janitors 

• Textile workers 

• Agricultural workers 

• Truck and bus drivers 

• Grocery and stock workers 

• Musicians 

• Workers in food processing 

• Bricklayers 

• Delivery workers 

If you or someone close to you has recently been diagnosed with a repetitive motion injury, you should act quickly and get in touch with a seasoned workers' compensation lawyer. Your legal counsel can review all of the facts of your case and help file your workers' compensation claims. 

Can I File a Workers' Comp Claim for an RSI? 

In Illinois, a repetitive motion injury is often regarded as a workplace injury. Hence, employees who suffer a repetitive stress injury may be entitled to file workers' compensation claims and pursue benefits for their repetitive strain injuries. 

Deadline to File 

Furthermore, employees who suffer job-related injuries in Illinois must report the injury or accident to their employer within 45 days of the incident. However, reporting a workplace accident, illness, or injury isn’t the same as filing a workers’ compensation claim. 

According to Illinois Workers' Compensation Act, employees who are injured on the job must file a workers’ compensation claim within three years from the date of the incident. However, since RSI takes time to manifest, the deadline for filing begins on the day the employee was diagnosed with a repetitive stress injury. 

Benefit Types  

The following benefits may be recovered by filing a workers' compensation claim in Illinois for your repetitive motion injury: 

• Medical benefits 

• Replacement of lost wages 

• Vocational rehabilitation and maintenance benefit 

• Temporary total disability (TTD) if you’re unable to work while recovering

• Permanent total disability benefits if you’re unable to work after reaching MMI or if you lost the use of some body parts, such as eyes, feet, arms, legs, or hands

• Disfigurement benefits 

• Death benefits and burial expenses

A highly skilled Illinois repetitive stress injuries attorney can help file your workers' compensation claims and attempt to recover the maximum available benefits. 

How Legal Counsel Can Help 

Seeking workers' compensation benefits for your repetitive motion injuries in Illinois might involve several complex procedures. Since RSI takes time to manifest, you may need to prove that your work tasks were responsible for your repetitive stress injuries. Therefore, contacting a practiced workers' compensation attorney is imperative to protect your best interests and help you seek your rightful financial compensation. 

At the Law Office of David Hunt, I advocate for the legal rights of employees who are suffering from repetitive stress injuries. Using my broad knowledge, I can direct you through these challenging times involving filing workers' compensation claims and seeking benefits. As your attorney, I will analyze your personal situation thoroughly and help you negotiate the maximum available compensation with the workers' comp insurer.