Waukegan Repetitive Motion Injury Lawyer

Repetitive motion while doing your job can lead to many types of injuries, including those that cause serious damage. For many people, these injuries keep them from coming back to work and supporting their families.

If you have sustained such an injury because of repeating certain tasks at work for many months or years, you have the right to recover damages. An experienced Waukegan repetitive motion injury lawyer can handle all the legal action and help you receive a fair payout.

What Is a Repetitive Motion Injury?

A repetitive motion injury is damage to muscles, tendons, or nerves caused by performing the same motion over and over again. These injuries develop gradually and often worsen over time. Common types include:

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: This syndrome is usually caused by pressure on the median nerve in the wrist. It can occur if the employee’s duties involve continuous typing or assembly of parts.
• Tendonitis: Inflammation of the tendons that often affects the shoulders and wrists. It is common in jobs that require frequent lifting or repetitive reaching.
• Bursitis: Inflammation of the small fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion bones and tendons.
• Rotator Cuff Injuries: This injury commonly occurs when workers do frequent overhead motions, for example, in a warehouse.
• Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow): Affects the tendons around the elbow joint due to repetitive use of the forearm muscles. It is a common issue for people whose job involves gripping or lifting.
• Trigger Finger: A condition where a finger becomes stuck in a bent position due to inflammation of the tendons in the hand. It can occur in workers who grip tools for long periods.

Not all workers realize that these injuries are the basis of a workers’ compensation or personal injury claim. An experienced repetitive motion injury lawyer in Waukegan can help identify opportunities for taking legal action.

Damages an Employee Can Recover

Employees who sustain repetitive motion injuries at work are protected by the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act. Damages they can recover include all medical expenses related to the injury, for example, surgeries, rehab costs, therapy, and many more. The amount depends on the extent of the injury.

Other expenses that workers’ comp covers are lost wages and future lost wages. However, the insurance only provides two-thirds of the weekly salary for each week the employee missed work because of the injury. In some cases, if the employee’s injuries keep them from executing their responsibilities, the insurance may cover job training to find new employment.

Workers’ Compensation Claim Filing Deadlines

Missing deadlines when filing workers’ compensation claims can lead to denials. A skilled repetitive motion injury lawyer can consult the Waukegan employee on when to file the claim and how to maximize the chances of success. An employee has 45 days from the time they reasonably discover the injury to notify the employer. They also have three years to file a claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.

Consult an Attorney in Waukegan About Your Repetitive Motion Injury

If you sustained a repetitive motion injury at work, you need to file a workers’ compensation claim. However, doing this correctly requires legal counsel.

An experienced Waukegan repetitive motion injury lawyer from Schlack & Bassmaji can help you navigate your workers’ comp case and fight to bring you the money you deserve. Call us for a free case evaluation today.