Repetitive Stress and Overuse Injuries in Fort Lauderdale: Your Rights To Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Compensation Benefits
The daily demands of your job can take a heavy toll over time. Tasks such as reaching for items, lifting heavy loads, standing for long shifts, or repeating the same motion over and over can cause chronic pain and limited mobility, jeopardizing your ability to work.
Our Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer helps people who suffer from overuse and repetitive stress injuries get benefits to cover their medical bills and other losses. Find out common ways these injuries happen and how to protect your rights when filing a claim.
What Is a Repetitive Stress or Overuse Injury?
Unlike a fall or a machinery accident, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) states that overuse and repetitive stress injuries develop over time. They occur due to movements or positions that restrict blood flow, pinch nerves, or strain muscles, tendons, and other soft tissue.
They can impact construction, manufacturing, and warehouse workers, as well as retail employees, office staff, and health care professionals. Common ways work-related overuse and repetitive stress injuries in Fort Lauderdale happen:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome due to typing or using hand tools.
- Tendonitis from repetitive lifting, reaching, or bending.
- Lower back injuries caused by overexertion.
- Joint damage in the knees, shoulders, or elbows due to bending or stretching.
- Neck strain and disc issues from poor posture or awkward positions.
- Chronic pain due to cumulative trauma.
If you suffer stiffness, pain, tingling, or weakness in certain body parts after performing work-related tasks, let your employer know immediately. What starts as something seemingly minor could quickly progress, resulting in chronic pain, limited mobility, and long-term disabilities.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Fort Lauderdale For Injuries Caused By Overuse and Repetitive Strain
Benefits are available through the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation to help cover your medical care, lost income, and other costs when overuse or repetitive stress injuries prevent you from working. However, as symptoms can be difficult to document and there’s no single incident that caused your injury, these claims are often disputed or denied by insurers.
To protect your rights in a Fort Lauderdale workers’ comp claim, follow these steps:
- Report symptoms immediately. Under the Florida Statutes, you have 30 days to notify your employer.
- Request treatment through an approved workers’ compensation doctor.
- Explain your job duties clearly, and how pain and limited mobility developed over time.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding treatment and work restrictions.
- Keep copies of all medical records, injury-related bills, wage statements, and provider notes.
If your claim gets disputed or denied, or your benefits are delayed, get professional legal help from our experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer.
Consult Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
The Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A., helps people in South Florida who suffer from overuse and repetitive-stress injuries. With over 30 years of experience, our Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer protects your rights and fights for the benefits you deserve.
Contact us today and request a consultation in our Fort Lauderdale, Sunrise, or West Palm Beach office.
Sources:
osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHAfactsheet-laboratory-safety-ergonomics.pdf
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0440/Sections/0440.185.html
myfloridacfo.com/division/wc