When Everyday Work Turns Into Lasting Pain
When it comes to your line of work, do you find yourself doing a lot of the same physical actions every day? Maybe it’s typing reports, loading packages, scanning inventory, assembling parts, or making deliveries. One day, you start to notice an occasional ache in your wrists, or a dull pain in your shoulders. At first, you brush it off, thinking it’s just part of the job. Then, as time goes on, the discomfort becomes harder to ignore. You may be dealing with one of many repetitive strain injuries that afflict workers due to repeated motions or awkward positions.
When every keystroke, every lift, and every shift leaves you with pain that lingers long after you clock out, that isn’t “simply getting older” or something to “push through.” The good news, though, is that you may be entitled to benefits through a Georgia workers’ compensation claim.
At the Law Offices of Humberto Izquierdo, Jr., PC, we help injured workers in Norcross secure the benefits they need to get medical treatment, recover lost wages, and protect their long-term health.
How Repetitive Strain Injuries Can Affect Norcross Workers
Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) won’t happen because of one dramatic moment like a slip, trip, or fall. Instead, they’ll creep up on you over time — a slow buildup of strain on your muscles, tendons, and nerves caused by repeated motions, overuse, and poor posture.
Workers in warehouses, offices, factories, and delivery jobs are especially at risk. From typing to lifting, stocking shelves, and using heavy tools, every repeated motion has the potential to cause inflammation, pain, and even permanent damage.
These injuries are often underestimated, which lets them persist and seriously risk your ability to work, perform daily tasks, and even enjoy life.
What Are Some Examples of Repetitive Strain Injuries?
Repetitive strain injuries are sometimes called repetitive motion injuries or overuse injuries. Because they occur when repeated movements put stress on the same muscles, tendons, and nerves over time, some common examples include:
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Nerve compression in the wrist causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand.
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Tendonitis. Tendons in the shoulders, elbows, or wrists become inflamed.
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Bursitis. Fluid-filled sacs that cushion your joints become inflamed.
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Tennis Elbow. Forearm tendons suffer from overuse, often with repetitive gripping tasks.
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Trigger Finger. A finger gets stuck in a bent position due to tendon inflammation.
RSIs are not limited to office workers. They affect people in manufacturing, retail, transportation, and construction — anywhere repetitive motion is part of the job.
Common Work-Related RSIs in Norcross Jobs
The variety of industries we have here in Norcross means that RSIs can happen in plenty of settings.
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Office and computer work like typing, data entry, and mouse use can lead to carpal tunnel or tendonitis.
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Warehouse management and packaging requires repeated lifting, bending, and scanning that can cause back, shoulder, and wrist injuries.
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Manufacturing and assembly involves repetitive assembly line motions that create elbow, wrist, and shoulder strain.
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Delivery drivers and truckers can experience back and neck strain due to vehicle vibration, package lifting, and awkward postures.
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Construction trades are continuously exposed to tool vibration, hammering, and repetitive overhead work that can lead to joint and tendon damage.
No matter the industry, untreated RSIs can worsen over time, resulting in chronic pain and even permanent disability.
Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s time to take action:
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Persistent pain in your wrists, elbows, shoulders, or back
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Tingling, numbness, or burning sensations in your hands or arms
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Swelling, stiffness, or decreased range of motion
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Weakness or loss of grip strength
Don’t wait until the pain is unbearable. Early medical intervention not only helps recovery, but also strengthens your workers’ compensation claim.
Filing Workers’ Comp Claims for Repetitive Strain Injuries in Georgia
Under Georgia law, repetitive strain injuries are covered by workers’ compensation if they are caused by your job duties. You don’t have to prove your employer was negligent, only that your injury is work-related.
Here the steps to file a claim in Norcross.
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Report your injury to your employer immediately. Even though RSIs develop over time, you must notify your employer as soon as you suspect your job is causing the injury.
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Seek medical treatment from an approved provider. Your employer should provide a list of authorized doctors.
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File Form WC-14 with the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation, and send copies to your employer and their insurer.
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Keep detailed documentation of your symptoms, work duties, and medical visits.
The Law Offices of Humberto Izquierdo, Jr., PC can handle the entire claims process, making sure forms are filed correctly and deadlines are met.
Challenges in RSI Workers’ Comp Claims
Unfortunately, RSI claims are often harder to prove than sudden injuries because there’s no single incident to point to. Common challenges include:
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An insurer disputing that an RSI is “work-related.”
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A worker waiting too long to make a report, which hurts their credibility.
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A lack of thorough medical documentation.
Our legal team knows how to build strong RSI claims by working with medical experts, documenting your job duties, and fighting insurer denials.
How a Norcross Workers’ Comp Lawyer Can Help
Our team understands the unique challenges of repetitive strain injury claims. That’s why, if you choose us to represent you, we’ll:
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Gather medical evidence linking your injury to your work duties.
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Ensure that you receive the correct diagnosis and treatment from approved providers.
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Protect you from retaliation or wrongful termination.
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Negotiate for maximum benefits, including wage replacement and permanent disability if needed.
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Represent you in hearings or appeals if your claim is denied.
We have a proven record of helping Norcross workers get the benefits that they deserve, and we want to do the same for you.
FAQs – Repetitive Strain Injuries and Georgia Workers’ Comp
Q: Can I get benefits if my injury happened gradually?
A: Yes. Georgia workers’ comp covers gradual-onset injuries like RSIs as long as you can prove they are work-related.
Q: What if my employer says my injury isn’t from work?
A: An experienced workers’ comp attorney can help you gather the medical and occupational evidence needed to prove your case.
Q: How long do I have to file a claim?
A: You must report your injury to your employer within 30 days, and file promptly to protect your benefits.
Q: Will workers’ comp cover surgery or therapy?
A: Yes, if deemed medically necessary by an authorized provider.
Protect Your Health and Rights After a Repetitive Strain Injury
Ignoring symptoms won’t make them go away, and will likely make them worse. If you suspect your job is causing a repetitive strain injury, you need to act quickly to protect your health and your rights.
At the Law Offices of Humberto Izquierdo, Jr., PC, we offer free consultations to help you understand your options. We work on a contingency fee basis — meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our mission is to make sure injured workers in Georgia get the benefits and care they deserve.
