It can be difficult to get workers’ compensation benefits to cover wear and tear injuries without the help of a lawyer.
When you are an employee, your employer is required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Employers in the state of Missouri must take out insurance in the event that an employee is injured while on the job. However, not all work-related injuries are traumatic. There are some industries where injuries are typically sustained due to something called “wear and tear.”
Understanding Wear and Tear Injuries
Wear and tear injuries are caused by repetitive motions and stress, and they typically lead to stress-related or chronic musculoskeletal disorders. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2013 alone, wear and tear injuries accounted for as many as one-third of all work-related injuries that led to employees missing days of work. Since there isn’t just one individual event that leads to most wear and tear injuries, it can be difficult to claim them for workers’ compensation benefits.
There are some injuries linked to repetitive stress that can target workers in certain industries. Those who work in athletics or on computers typically have the same kind of musculoskeletal disorders that accompany the work that they do. The most common wear and tear injuries can result in:
- Rotator cuff syndrome
- Bursitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Epicondylitis
- Tendonitis
These issues are the result of excessive wear and tear on specific muscles. Wear and tear injuries are associated with symptoms ranging from minor irritations, like muscle weakness, to severe issues like stiffness and chronic pain.
Work Comp Benefits for Wear and Tear Injuries
Those who develop wear and tear injuries typically have to either sit in the same position for extended periods, or they do the same thing over and over. Those who have to lift heavy objects or use computers or keyboards are highly prone to wear and tear injuries. There are times when wear and tear injuries might be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. If they are severe enough, they may actually lead to disability.
To have your wear and tear injuries be classified as work-related, you have to prove that it was an injury that you sustained while performing duties that were under the scope of your employment. If you throw your back out or have a herniated disc, unless you can prove that it was a specific work-related incident that led to your disc being herniated, then it would probably not be covered under workers’ compensation. If you bent over at work to lift another heavy object as a part of your work duties and you suffered a back injury, then you would probably be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
Work Injury Lawyer in St. Louis
Wear and tear injuries develop over time and are associated with the work that you do. But because they are usually not one catastrophic event, it can be harder to get workers’ compensation benefits to cover them. If your injury is due to wear and tear at work, it is imperative that you get the help of a professional St. Louis workers’ compensation lawyer to ensure that you get the benefits you deserve.