The Law Office of Alice A. Strömbom helps workers across Sacramento that get hurt on the job and want to file for workers’ compensation. A lot of people think that workers’ comp claims come out of one dramatic accident, but in reality, it’s the day-to-day motions and grind that cause problems. So-called repetitive stress injuries (RSI) don’t change what you’re going through or your ability to file a claim. Set up a free consultation with our team today to talk about your options.
Do You Need a Lawyer for a Repetitive Stress Injury?
Legally, no. You aren’t required to have a lawyer to file a workers’ comp claim in California. But RSI claims are often more complicated than people expect. Although they see them every day, workers’ comp carriers know how to try to work around RSIs. That’s when having a lawyer can level the playing field by:
- Showing how your job duties caused the injury over time
- Making sure medical records clearly connect the condition to work
- Handling communication with the insurance company
- Stepping in when benefits are delayed, limited, or denied
Our focus is on keeping your claim on track and helping you get the support you need while you recover. RSIs can be just as painful as a one-time injury, and when you’re also trying to fight with an insurance company, it can be very demoralizing. The good news is that the workers’ comp system can help you.
What Information Can Help My RSI Workers’ Comp Claim?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, a repetitive stress injury happens when:
- Muscles, tendons, or joints are used repeatedly without enough time to recover. Instead of healing, the tissue slowly breaks down.
That breakdown can cause inflammation, nerve compression, weakness, and long-term pain. Over time, even simple movements—gripping, lifting, reaching—can become difficult. This, in turn, leads to a rash of common injuries like:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome, often tied to typing, scanning, or assembly work
- Tendonitis, common in jobs involving repeated lifting or tool use
- Bursitis, often linked to kneeling or pressure on joints
- Trigger finger, caused by constant gripping
- Tennis elbow, from repeated forearm motion
- Rotator cuff injuries, common in overhead work
With these injuries, the biggest hurdle is showing that it happened over time and then convincing the insurance company that they need to provide benefits. But you can do that by getting the right information, like:
- Your employer’s name, your job title, and a simple explanation of the physical tasks your job requires.
- When you first noticed pain, how it progressed, and when it began affecting your ability to work.
- Plain-language details about the motions you repeat during a typical shift, such as lifting, typing, gripping, or reaching.
- Records from doctor visits, diagnoses, treatment plans, work restrictions, and referrals tied to your injury.
- The date you told your employer and the method you used to report it.
- Emails, forms, notes, or other documentation showing how the injury developed and it impacts your work.
This information is going to be the backbone of your claim, and it’s especially important with an RSI. This is because it takes documentation over a long period of time to show the extent of your injury. However, you don’t have to have everything together right now. Our team can help you put everything together.
What Happens After You Report a Repetitive Stress Injury at Work?
Once you realize your repetitive stress injury isn’t going away—and that it may be connected to your job—it helps to know what usually happens next. While every claim is a little different, most RSI workers’ comp claims kick off with:
- Asking your supervisor or HR for a workers’ compensation claim form once you know or suspect your injury is work-related.
- Filling out the form and turning it in. This will let you describe your symptoms and the job duties that might have caused the injury.
- Your employer forwarding the claim to their workers’ compensation insurance carrier for review.
Because repetitive stress injuries develop over time, this process can feel less straightforward than a sudden injury. There’s often no single date or event—just a gradual buildup of pain. That’s normal, and it doesn’t disqualify your claim.
Once the insurance company receives your paperwork, they’ll review medical records, job duties, and timelines to decide whether the injury qualifies for workers’ compensation benefits.
What Workers’ Comp Benefits Get Covered for an RSI?
While the investigation process may feel similar to other insurance claims, workers’ compensation is different in the type of help it provides. If your repetitive stress injury is approved, benefits may include:
- Medical treatment related to your RSI, such as doctor visits, diagnostic testing, physical therapy, medications, or—in more serious cases—surgery.
- Temporary disability payments if your injury prevents you from working or limits your hours while you recover.
- Permanent disability benefits if the injury causes lasting limitations that affect your ability to do your job long term.
- Job retraining or vocational support if your condition prevents you from returning to the same type of work.
It’s incredibly important with an RSI to take care of it. You only have 30 days to report an injury and up to a year to file your claim. So with an RSI, when you notice symptoms and problems, ask for a claim form.
Get Help With a Repetitive Stress Injury Claim in Sacramento
A repetitive stress injury can follow you home long after the workday ends—and the workers’ comp process can feel overwhelming when you’re already dealing with pain and uncertainty.
At the Law Office of Alice A. Strömbom, we help Sacramento workers across many industries—warehouse, healthcare, construction, office, retail—understand their rights and navigate the workers’ compensation system after repetitive stress injuries.
If you want to talk through what’s happening with your claim or get clarity on what comes next, we’re happy to walk you through your options. Set up a free consultation today.