Many workplace injuries happen in one sudden event. A worker gets caught in a machine or slips and falls from a height. There is an explosion or a fire on the site, or the workers are exposed to toxic chemicals or gases. It’s clear that all the injuries can be traced back to this one event.
But don’t assume that this is the only way you can get hurt on the job. You could also get an RSI, which is a repetitive stress injury. It comes from doing the same thing repeatedly. The first time, you weren’t injured at all. The 100,000th time, maybe you noticed that you felt a bit uncomfortable. By the millionth time, all that work has accumulated to put a significant toll on your body.
Who is at risk of an RSI?
You can get an RSI in almost any industry. Some workers who may be facing extra risks include:
- Those who work on computers and have to type consistently
- Those who work on factory assembly lines where they do the same task over and over
- Those who have to consistently lift items, especially if it’s with the same hand
Over the years, people have given names to these types of things. For instance, there was a rise of “milkmaid’s arm” in the 17th century. There have been reports of people suffering from “washerwoman’s thumb.” You’ve likely heard of tennis elbow. All of these are just slang names for the same issue. The body is doing the same motion and the same task hundreds, thousands or millions of times, and that can lead to serious injury.
If you are hurt on the job in this way, it is important for you to understand how to seek workers’ compensation so that you can get the benefits you are due.