REPETITIVE TRAUMA (CUMULATIVE TRAUMA)

Cumulative trauma injuries refer to physical injuries that occur as a result of repetitive or prolonged activities performed over time. These injuries often develop gradually and can affect various parts of the body, such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. Examples of cumulative trauma injuries include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, bursitis, and lower back pain. Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that provides benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. In the context of cumulative trauma injuries, workers’ compensation may cover medical expenses, lost wages, vocational rehabilitation, and other related costs. To qualify for workers’ compensation benefits for cumulative trauma injuries, you generally need to establish that: The injury is work-related: You must demonstrate that the injury occurred as a result of the tasks or activities performed during your employment. Cumulative trauma injuries can be more challenging to attribute to specific work activities compared to sudden, acute injuries. The injury is job-related: You need to show that the nature of your job or the conditions in your workplace directly contributed to the development of the injury. This can involve providing medical evidence, expert opinions, and demonstrating a causal relationship between your job duties and the injury. You notified your employer: It is important to report the injury to your employer promptly. Failure to report the injury within a specified timeframe may affect your eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits. You filed a workers’ compensation claim: You will generally need to file a claim with your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier. This initiates the process of evaluating your claim and determining the benefits you may be entitled to receive.