California Workers’ Compensation Claim: Do you feel pain in your back, wrist, arm, or other parts of the body every time you’re working? Maybe you already have a cumulative trauma injury without knowing it. When you feel the same pain in the same area of your body, seek immediate medical attention to know what caused it or the underlying reason.
If you suspect that you developed a cumulative trauma injury, you’re eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim. This insurance will become your lifesaver during those hard times when you need to have medical care or have some time off from work. It will cover your expenses and other overheads.
When filing a claim, it’s best to speak with an experienced Los Angeles workers’ compensation lawyer at the ODG Law even if you don’t have any plans of hiring one at the moment. It’s crucial that you have someone knowledgeable of the law to guide you on what to do. In case you encounter any issues with your claim, don’t think twice to call us at (818) 975-3080 for help.
What is Cumulative Trauma Injury?
A cumulative trauma injury is an injury that develops over time when a certain part of the body exerts more effort than it can perform and is frequently used. Such activities can cause impairment or requires medical care.
California Workers’ Compensation Claim: Most Common Cumulative Trauma Injuries in the Workplace
Whether you’re just sitting on a chair and typing on a keyboard for eight hours or more in a day, you’re already a candidate for developing a cumulative trauma injury. Here are some of the most common cumulative trauma injuries that workers and employees may sustain in the workplace.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This injury occurs when the median nerves receive too much pressure, making you feel tingling, weakness, or numbness in the affected arms and hands.
Back Injuries. These are any injuries that affect the back’s joints, muscles, nerves, bones, or connective tissues that cause pain and discomfort. It can affect any part of the back, especially the lower back. Common injuries include fractured vertebrae, herniated disks, sprains, and strains.
Tendonitis. It occurs when a tendon experiences inflammation following an injury. While it affects the movement of the joint, it also causes stiffness and pain. The condition usually emanates due to the recurrence of a particular activity or movement while working, bringing stress to the tendons.
Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow. This is a form of tendonitis due to the over usage of the tendons in the forearm. Due to the repetitive movements of the arm and wrist, the tendons become strained.
Raynaud’s Syndrome. Certain diseases such as Raynaud’s Syndrome can cause your fingers, toes, or other body parts to feel numbness and cold as a reaction to stress or cold temperatures. It means that the smaller arteries that supply blood become narrow which restricts blood flow to affected areas, known as vasospasm.
Rotator Cuff Tendonitis. Also known as bursitis, biceps tendinitis, or impingement. This injury makes the cuff tendons and the surrounding bursa painful and swollen. The bursa is a soft sack, containing a small amount of fluid and protecting the joints.
Additionally, injuries may also develop internally such as lungs and breathing due to repetitive exposure to dust and chemicals. Another is heart disease because of the continuous stress brought on by work. That’s why it’s important to speak with one of ODG Law’s skilled Los Angeles workers’ compensation to protect your rights as a California worker.
What Possible Benefits Can You Get from Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim for Cumulative Trauma Injury?
As an employee or worker suffering from a work-related cumulative trauma injury entitles you to a workers’ compensation claim. Consulting our knowledgeable Los Angeles workers’ compensation claim can help you understand the process and the benefits you may get. These benefits include:
Medical Expenses. The compensation provides coverage that will help you pay for your medical bills and other expenses related to your medical treatment and health recovery. It includes hospital or doctor visits, prescriptions, and any necessary surgeries.
Lost Wages. When you suffer from a serious injury, of course, you need to stay in the hospital or at home for a few days, weeks, or even months to recover. It also means that you will lose the capability to earn money. The workers’ compensation will help replace the salary you lost while you’re in the recovery period from your work-related injury or illness.
Ongoing Care Costs. In some cases, an injured worker requires more than one treatment, especially if the sustained injury is severe. An example will be an ongoing care cost for physical therapy for the worker. It also includes those who got sick from repeated exposure to chemical toxins that need treatment and ongoing care as well.
Funeral Costs. This is a benefit that the surviving family will get in case their loved one died because of the injury or illness they suffered or developed because of the repeated tasks they perform when working.
How to Determine When Your Cumulative Trauma Injury Started?
The date of your injury starts when there’s a disability and you:
- Were aware that your work caused your illness or injury
- Should have known the condition was because of your work
The intention to move the date of injury for the statute of limitations is to assure that employees or workers will get benefits before they became aware that you have suffered or developed an injury or condition.
Contact the ODG Law for Help
If you think that you incurred a cumulative trauma injury because of your repeated movement at work, you have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim. However, there are many things that make filing a bit complicated and other issues may arise. The most common problem that an injured worker may face is when the insurance company denies their claim.
At the ODG Law, we won’t let that happen. If the insurance company denies your claim, we will protect and fight for your right to take advantage of the workers’ compensation benefits. We’ll maximize the amount if we must to ensure that it will cover all of your expenses and losses caused by the work-related injury.
Contact ODG Law at (818) 975-3080 today and schedule a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis.
