New York City Repetitive Strain Injury Lawyers

Work-Related Repetitive Stress Injuries & Workers’ Compensation in Manhattan, Brooklyn, & Queens

If you sustained a repetitive strain injury due to your work or over the course of your employment, you could be entitled to benefits under the New York workers’ compensation system. Filing a workers’ compensation claim can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.

At Schotter Millican, LLP our experienced attorneys can assist you with every aspect of your repetitive stress injury workers’ compensation claim. We have a long history of helping injured workers throughout NYC, including in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and the nearby communities.

Contact our firm online or call us at (718) 550-0610 today for a free case review. Hablamos español; mowimy po polsku. 

What Are Repetitive Strain Injuries?

Repetitive strain injuries, also known as repetitive motion injuries, are injuries caused by repetitive movements and trauma accumulated over time. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, these injuries affect hundreds of thousands of Americans every year, with collective costs reaching up to $20 billion annually.

Repetition of the same physical movements every day on the job can, over time, affect a person’s health in many unexpected ways. A repetitive strain injury occurs when someone performs the same motion over and over again for so long that the accumulated traumas from that activity eventually result in real bodily harm.

Common types of repetitive strain injuries include:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Epicondylitis, or “tennis elbow”
• Ganglion cysts, or swelling/lumps in the joints or tendons
• Reflex sympathetic dystrophy, also known as “complex regional pain syndrome”
• Tendonitis, or the tearing and swelling of tendons

If caught early enough and properly cared for, most of the injuries listed above can be cured with some downtime and basic forms of physical therapy. Unfortunately, by the time many workers first notice symptoms of these injuries, they have already progressed to the point where there is permanent damage.

Workers’ Compensation for Repetitive Strain Injuries

Repetitive strain injuries can be unbelievably painful and straining, often requiring extensive medical treatment. If you sustained a repetitive stress injury as a result of physical activities you continuously performed at your job, you could be eligible for workers’ compensation.

While workers’ compensation situations can vary from case to case, it is important for an individual to keep in mind what they can realistically expect.

The New York State Workers’ Compensation Law entitles injured workers to the following:

• Medical treatment paid for by the workers’ compensation insurance provider or a self-insured employer
• Wage replacement benefits equaling up to 2/3 of the injured workers’ average weekly wage (before being injured)
• Reimbursement for various costs related to the injury, such as prescription medication costs, travel costs to and from doctors’ appointments, and more

When a work-related injury leads to permanent partial or total disability, preventing the employee from returning to their past employment, and their employer cannot or will not provide light-duty or alternative work at comparable pay, the injured employee may also be entitled to vocational rehabilitation workers’ compensation benefits.

To learn more about the types of benefits you may be entitled to receive for your repetitive strain injury, contact our Manhattan repetitive stress injury lawyers at Schotter Millican, LLP. We can answer your questions and provide information specific to your situation.

How to Report Carpal Tunnel and Other Repetitive Strain Injuries at Work

Make sure to treat repetitive strain injuries as you would any other occupational injury.

If you suspect you've developed or were recently diagnosed with a work-related repetitive strain injury, you should notify your employer right away. Don't let the stigma around workers' comp stop you from taking care of yourself. For example, carpal tunnel syndrome usually develops gradually. Treating it early can stop it from becoming a long-term health problem.

Remember, New York law requires you to report work-related injuries and medical conditions to your employer within 30 days. Waiting too long could result in you losing your right to file for workers’ compensation. However, even if more than 30 days have passed since your injury or diagnosis, we encourage you to reach out to our team. We can help you explore your legal options and protect your right to fair compensation.