Repetitive strain injuries develop gradually from performing the same motions day after day—typing, assembly line work, lifting, gripping tools, or any repeated movement. These conditions are compensable under workers' compensation, but proving work-relatedness requires documentation and medical evidence.
What Are Repetitive Strain Injuries?
Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs)—also called repetitive motion injuries or cumulative trauma disorders—result from repeated physical movements that cause damage over time. Unlike sudden accidents, RSIs develop gradually, making it harder to pinpoint when the injury occurred or prove it's work-related.
Common Repetitive Strain Conditions
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve in the wrist becomes compressed from repetitive hand and wrist motions. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness in the hands and fingers. Common in workers who type, use vibrating tools, or perform repetitive gripping.
Tendinitis is inflammation of tendons from overuse. It can affect wrists (de Quervain's tenosynovitis), elbows (tennis elbow or golfer's elbow), shoulders (rotator cuff tendinitis), or other joints. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and reduced range of motion.
Bursitis involves inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion joints. Repetitive motions can irritate these sacs, causing pain and swelling in shoulders, elbows, knees, or hips.
Back injuries from repetitive lifting, bending, or twisting cause disc problems, muscle strains, and chronic pain affecting millions of workers.
Workers' Compensation for RSIs
Repetitive strain injuries are covered by workers' compensation when they arise from employment. Benefits include medical treatment for your condition, temporary disability payments while you recover or have work restrictions, permanent disability compensation if you have lasting impairments, and vocational rehabilitation if you can't return to your previous job.
Proving Your RSI Is Work-Related
The challenge with RSI claims is proving the connection between work activities and your condition. Unlike a fall or machine injury, there's no single incident to point to. Evidence that strengthens your claim includes:
Job duties documentation: Detailed description of the repetitive motions you perform—how often, how many hours per day, over how many years.
Medical evidence: A physician's opinion linking your specific condition to your specific work activities. Occupational medicine specialists are particularly helpful.
Symptom timeline: Documentation showing symptoms developed or worsened during employment and improved during time off.
Similar injuries: Evidence that coworkers doing similar work have similar conditions supports work-relatedness.
Challenges in RSI Claims
Insurance companies frequently dispute RSI claims, arguing your condition has non-work causes. Common defenses include age-related degeneration, pre-existing conditions, hobbies or outside activities, obesity or other health factors, and genetic predisposition.
However, even if these factors contribute, you can still recover if work activities were a substantial contributing cause—you don't have to prove work was the only cause.
Reporting Your Injury
Report your condition to your employer as soon as you recognize work may be causing your symptoms. RSI reporting is complicated because there's no single injury date. Report when you first realize your symptoms are work-related—don't wait until you're completely disabled.
Many states have specific rules for RSI reporting deadlines. Missing these deadlines can jeopardize your claim.
Medical Treatment
Treatment for RSIs varies by condition and severity. Options include rest and activity modification, physical therapy and ergonomic training, anti-inflammatory medications, braces or splints, steroid injections, and surgery for severe cases (carpal tunnel release, tendon repair).
Workers' comp should cover all reasonable and necessary treatment. If the insurance company denies treatment, you can appeal.
Ergonomic Accommodations
Proper ergonomics can prevent RSIs from worsening and may be required as reasonable accommodation. Your employer may need to provide ergonomic equipment (keyboard, chair, workstation), modified job duties, job rotation to reduce repetitive tasks, and rest breaks.
Returning to Work
Returning to the same repetitive work risks re-injury. Work with your doctor to establish permanent work restrictions. Your employer must accommodate restrictions if possible—if not, you may be entitled to vocational rehabilitation for retraining.
Getting Legal Help
RSI claims are frequently disputed and benefit from legal representation. An attorney can help gather evidence, work with medical experts, challenge denials, and ensure you receive appropriate benefits. Most workers' comp attorneys work on contingency—you pay nothing unless they recover benefits for you.