When employees like construction workers, tradespeople, and manufacturers think about workplace injuries, they are likely thinking about accidents that cause employees to suffer catastrophic injuries. While there are many ways someone can get hurt in a workplace accident, it is also possible to get hurt without an accident ever happening.
A repetitive motion injury (RMI) is a type of injury that can happen even when employees are safely performing their job. These injuries can cost a victim a considerable amount of money, so it is important to have workers’ compensation to cover the costs if possible. But, how can you know if you are suffering from an RMI?
Signs of RMI
Depending on your career, RMIs can develop in many areas of your body, including your hands, shoulders, neck, hips, knees and ankles. It is important to stay aware of the minor signs your body may be giving you to identify possible RMI injuries. These areas can develop injuries like:
- Arthritis
- Fasciitis
- Tendonitis
- Myositis
- Fibromyalgia
- Herniated disk
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
Despite how many different injuries you can get from doing your job, it is possible to spot signs of them at home. If you are experiencing some sort of pain in a localized area of your body, especially when performing similar functions to what you do at work, you may have an RMI. Other signs include limited mobility and partial or total numbness.
Report an injury right away
If you are experiencing pain that seems similar to an RMI, talk to a doctor and report your injury to your employer immediately. These steps are some of the first you will need to take in a workers’ compensation claim, and the next is to call an attorney.