Did you know that musculoskeletal injuries are the largest category of workplace injuries? These types of injuries are actually responsible for nearly 30% of all workers’ comp costs in the United States! If you’re suffering from a work-related musculoskeletal disorder, speak to a workers’ comp attorney to learn more about your options.
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are injuries that affect your body’s movement and muscles, tendons, blood vessels, nerves, etc. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), around 50% of adults reported a musculoskeletal disorder in 2009. Additionally, the CDC has found that an estimated 80% of all workers’ comp claims involve musculoskeletal sprain or strain injuries, 33% of which involve the lower back.
MSDs are the second-greatest cause of disability across the world. Because of this, many workers have not been able to return to work, leaving them with high medical bills and lost wages. Fortunately, workers’ compensation could cover your MSD if the injury occurred on-the-job.
Work-Related Musculoskeletal Injuries
There are both short-term and long-term types of musculoskeletal injuries. Many of these can occur as a result of performing job duties. Common MSD injuries include:
- Tendonitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Trigger finger
- Herniated/ruptured disc
- Chronic back/neck pain
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Ligament sprains
- Muscular tears
- Arthritis
- Nerve injuries
- Restricted movement
Work-Related Causes of MSDs
Repetitive motions can cause musculoskeletal problems since the most common cause of these types of injuries is repeatedly performing a task, especially if this task is performed in an awkward position. Over time, this repetition can lead to MSD. If your job is highly repetitive (cycle time of 30 seconds or less), you are the most at risk of developing MSD.
Forceful exertions can cause MSD if your job requires you to carry heavy loads. This can lead to muscle fatigue, which leads to musculoskeletal injuries, especially if you deal with high force loads as part of your everyday work tasks.
Other work-related causes of MSDs include:
- Sustained awkward positions
- Constrained body positions
- Forced concentration on small parts of the body (wrist, hand, etc.)
- No adequate recovery time between movements
- Hunching over a desk (not having proper posture)
Contact a Massachusetts Workers’ Comp Attorney
Musculoskeletal injuries can happen as a result of a single injury or can develop over a period of time. Either way, you could be eligible for workers’ compensation if the injury happened at work, or as a result of work activities. To learn more about your options and to see the types of compensation you could be eligible for, speak to one of our workers’ comp attorneys at Powers & Caccavale by filling out our free case evaluation or by calling us at (617) 379-0016.