Repetitive Stress Injury Attorneys in Wichita, Kansas

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, private industry employers reported about 24,700 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in Kansas in 2021. Workplace injuries and illnesses can occur from performing repetitive motions over time, such as lifting heavy objects, working on an assembly line, typing on a keyboard, and other situations. Quite a few work-related activities can affect your muscles, soft body tissues, and ligaments, leading to repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and bursitis. 

If you believe that a repetitive work-related task caused your injury or illness, you're within your rights to pursue benefits by filing a workers compensation claim. At Slape & Howard, we are ready to support and represent clients in their repetitive motion injury claims. Our Kansas workers compensation attorneys can help file your claims and attempt to recover the maximum available workers comp benefits for your repetitive stress injuries. 

At Slape & Howard, we proudly represent clients across Wichita and throughout all of Kansas. 

What Is a Repetitive Stress Injury?

A repetitive stress injury or repetitive motion injury is a temporary or permanent injury or medical condition often caused by performing frequent or repetitive motions. These repetitive stress injuries usually affect the wrist, lower back, neck, joints, shoulder, elbow, and knees. Through damage to the soft body tissues, nerves, muscles, ligaments, and tendons, these kinds of injuries can impact your life in a major way. 

Examples of Repetitive Stress Injuries

Here are some common examples of repetitive stress injuries: 

• Carpal tunnel syndrome 

• Tenosynovitis 

• Tennis elbow (Epicondylitis) 

• Cubital tunnel syndrome 

• Chronic neck pain 

• Lower back pain 

• Telegraphists cramp 

• Hearing loss from continuous exposure to loud noises 

• Bursitis 

• Tendonitis 

• Chronic knee injuries 

• Back injuries from heavy lifting 

• Trigger finger 

• Rotator cuff injuries 

If you or someone close to you has recently been diagnosed with a repetitive motion injury, get in touch with an experienced workers compensation lawyer right away. Your legal counsel can help ensure that you seek proper medical attention, document your injuries and symptoms, and file your workers comp claims.

Symptoms of Repetitive Stress Injuries

Some of the most common symptoms and signs of repetitive strain injuries are as follows: 

• Aching, tenderness, or pain 

• Reduced flexibility 

• Cramping 

• Swelling 

• Limited range of motion 

• Stiffness 

• Tingling sensation or numbness 

• Weakness 

• Sensitivity to heat or cold 

• Throbbing 

• Loss of strength or coordination 

It’s important to see a doctor—as well as a lawyer—once you notice any of these signs and symptoms. If the nature of your job or work-related tasks makes you highly susceptible to repetitive stress injuries, it’s vital to reach out to legal support. 

Who Is At Risk?

Some common examples of employment and professions that have increased exposure to repetitive motion injuries include: 

• Professional athletes 

• Medical providers, including surgeons, nurses, and physicians 

• Janitors and housekeepers 

• Textile workers 

• Carpenters 

• Bus and truck drivers 

• Musicians 

• Workers in food processing 

• Agricultural workers 

• Bricklayers 

• Delivery workers 

• Grocery and stock workers 

• Office workers 

• Firefighters 

• Welders 

Set up a consultation with a Kansas repetitive stress injuries attorney to help you understand your options and seek a path forward. 

Can I File a Workers Comp Claim for an RSI?

According to Kansas workers compensation laws, repetitive motion injuries—such as carpal tunnel syndrome—are typically regarded as on-the-job injuries or occupational diseases. This means that any employee who suffers a repetitive strain injury or illness may be entitled to pursue benefits through workers comp claims. However, time passes by quickly, and it is crucial that you file your claim as soon as you can. 

Deadline to File

In Kansas, injured employees must report the injury or illness to their employer within 20 days of the workplace accident. The plaintiff must bring their workers comp claim within: 

• Twenty (20) days from when the work-related accident or illness occurred 

• Twenty (20) days from when you received medical attention if you are still working at the firm 

• Ten (10) days from when you left the firm 

• Three years of the date of the workplace accident or illness if you suffer a permanent injury 

Generally, Kansas has strict time limits to file workers compensation claims. You should reach out to a reliable attorney to guide you through the claims process and help recover your rightful workers compensation benefits. 

Benefit Types 

The following benefits could potentially be recovered by filing a workers compensation claim in Kansas for your repetitive motion injury: 

• Medical benefits 

• Replacement of lost wages 

• Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits if you're unable to work during your recovery 

• Permanent total disability (PTD) benefits if you lose some body parts 

• Ongoing care, such as physical therapy 

• Funeral costs and death benefits 

A lawyer can advocate for your best interests, help file your workers comp claims, and pursue the maximum available workers compensation benefits. 

Work With an Experienced Workers Compensation Attorney

A repetitive stress injury can affect your general well-being and make it difficult—or even impossible—for you to work or perform your day-to-day activities. Fortunately, you may be able to pursue benefits for your repetitive motion injuries through a workers compensation claim. A workers compensation attorney can guide you through the claims process and help you navigate key decisions. 

At Slape & Howard, we're committed to offering detailed legal counsel and skilled representation to clients in their repetitive stress injury cases. We can walk you through the often-complex Kansas workers compensation claim procedures and help you when you need it the most.