If you’re struggling with pain or discomfort from repetitive motion injuries (also known as repetitive strain injuries) at work, you’re facing a challenge that many New Jersey workers experience. Injuries caused by redundant motion or strain often start as mild annoyances but can escalate to extremely painful and debilitating injuries that prevent you from working.

Repetitive motion injuries are a tremendous problem affecting New Jersey’s industrial workforce. If repetitive motions at work have injured you, you know how quickly these injuries can drain you and your finances. At Shebell & Shebell, our New Jersey workers’ compensation lawyers have been helping injured workers recover the compensation they deserve since 1927.

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Common Types of Repetitive Motion Injuries

Several types of repetitive motion injuries can affect workers across different industries:

1. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: This condition affects the wrist and hand, causing numbness, tingling, and weakness.
2. Tendinitis/Tendonitis: Inflammation of tendons can occur in various parts of the body, leading to pain and reduced mobility.
3. Bursitis: A condition that involves inflammation of the small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion your bones, tendons, and muscles.
4. Tennis Elbow: Despite its name, this condition can affect anyone who repeatedly uses their forearm muscles.
5. De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis: This painful condition affects the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist.

Industries Where Most Workers Develop Repetitive Motion Injuries

While repetitive motion injuries can occur in any workplace where employees engage in repetitive activities, certain industries see a higher prevalence:

• Office work: Prolonged computer use can lead to various RSIs.
• Manufacturing: Assembly line work often involves repetitive motions.
• Construction: The repetitive nature of many construction tasks can strain the body.
• Healthcare: Nurses and other healthcare professionals often perform repeated lifting and transferring motions.
• Retail: Cashiers and stockers frequently engage in repetitive movements.

The Toll Repetitive Motion Injuries Take on Daily Life

Repetitive motion injuries affect a person far beyond physical discomfort. They may also take a significant toll on many other aspects of their life, including:

• Chronic pain that persists even when you’re not working
• Difficulty performing everyday tasks at home
• Inability to enjoy your usual recreational activities
• Inability to exercise
• Reduced productivity at work
• Potential loss of income due to missed workdays
• Emotional stress from dealing with ongoing pain and its limitations

Your Legal Rights as a New Jersey Worker

As an employee in New Jersey, you have certain legal protections when it comes to workplace injuries, including those caused by repetitive motions. If you believe your rights are being violated, including the right to fair workers’ compensation benefits, a New Jersey personal injury lawyer with Shebell & Shebell may be able to help you.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

New Jersey law requires most employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This no-fault system means you’re entitled to benefits regardless of who was at fault for your injury. If you’re dealing with a repetitive motion injury that affects your ability to work and your income, workers’ compensation should provide you with important benefits:

• Medical Treatment: Your employer’s insurance must cover all necessary and reasonable medical care related to your injury. This includes doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and physical therapy.
• Temporary Disability Benefits: If your repetitive motion injury keeps you out of work for more than seven days, you’re eligible for temporary disability benefits. These payments typically total 70% of your average weekly wages or income, up to a state-mandated maximum. Benefits continue until you can return to work or reach maximum medical improvement.
• Permanent Disability Benefits: You may claim permanent disability benefits if your repetitive motion injury results in a permanent impairment that prevents you from working. The amount and duration of these benefits depend on the nature and extent of your disability, as determined by a doctor.
• Vocational Rehabilitation: If your injury prevents you from returning to your previous occupation, you may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services to help you find new training and employment.

Unfortunately, insurance companies that provide workers’ compensation benefits often minimize workers’ claims or deny them altogether. Our team of personal injury attorneys may be able to help you get the compensation you deserve if you believe your employer’s insurer is denying you the compensation you rightfully deserve.

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Protection from Retaliation

New Jersey law also protects you from retaliation for filing a workers’ compensation claim. Your employer cannot fire you, demote you, or take any other adverse action against you for exercising your rights under the workers’ compensation system.

Third-Party Claims for Compensation

While workers’ compensation is usually an exclusive remedy for lost work caused by workplace injuries, you may be able to claim additional compensation if a third party contributed to your injury. For example, if defective equipment played a role in your repetitive motion injury, you might have legal grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

Knowing what your rights are and navigating the law can be difficult, especially when dealing with the pain and stress of a repetitive motion injury. Workers’ compensation has a very short window for eligibility, so don’t hesitate to call Shebell & Shebell. If you have a valid claim, our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers can help you.

How a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Can Assist You

We know that dealing with a repetitive motion injury can be challenging, both physically and legally. At Shebell & Shebell, we want to make securing your maximum compensation as easy as possible for you. This process includes:

1. Evaluating your case: We can help determine the strength of your claim and the best course of action.
2. Navigating the claims process: We lead your case through the complex workers’ compensation system.
3. Ensuring fair compensation: We’ll work to safeguard the full benefits you’re entitled to.
4. Representing you in appeals: If your claim is denied, we will take all the necessary measures to appeal your denial.

Steps to Take If You’re Suffering from a Repetitive Motion Injury

If you believe you’re dealing with a repetitive motion injury, there are some measures you can take to protect your right to fair compensation:

1. Seek Medical Attention: Get a proper diagnosis and begin treatment immediately.
2. Report the injury promptly: Inform your employer about your condition as soon as it becomes apparent or affects your ability to work.
3. Document everything: Keep records of your symptoms, treatments, and how the injury affects your work and daily life.
4. Consult a New Jersey personal injury lawyer: An experienced attorney will help protect your rights and guide you through the legal process.

Your Path Forward with Shebell & Shebell

Living with a repetitive motion injury can feel like you’re stuck in an endless loop of pain and frustration. At Shebell & Shebell, we’re here to help you break that cycle.

Whether you’re an office worker struggling with carpal tunnel or a construction worker coping with chronic back pain, we’re prepared to listen, understand, and act. We’ve helped countless individuals get the compensation they deserve for repetitive motion injuries and other workplace injuries.

We know how much you have at stake when an injury prevents you from working and earning a living. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve. Call Shebell & Shebell today at (732) 663-1122 for a free, no-obligation case evaluation with one of our New Jersey personal injury attorneys.

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