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Fighting For You in South Carolina
When you suffer an injury, the last thing you want to consider is insurance, particularly if the injury has robbed you of your ability to work. The insurance industry is set up to confuse and ultimately deny you the benefits and compensation you are entitled to, mainly if your injury results from workplace negligence.
Personal injury laws in South Carolina can be confusing. It can be challenging to determine what type of claim to file, who to talk to about your rights, and who to trust to give you reliable information. For these reasons, you must obtain skilled legal representation that will stay strong when challenged by workplace politics and insurance company delay tactics.
At Lee Injury Law LLC, we are dedicated to helping individuals with job-related injuries. Contact our office to schedule a free consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers at 803-855-1012.
Are Repetitive Stress Injuries Covered by Workman’s Compensation Benefits?<h2
Understanding the differences between worker’s compensation and personal injury claims is difficult enough without the stress of an injury. However, knowing the differences becomes crucial once you have sustained an injury. Below are some of the critical components of worker’s compensation.
- All employees who suffer an injury while at work or performing their essential job functions are covered to be eligible for worker’s compensation benefits
- Independent contractors and volunteers are usually not qualified under these plans. It usually does not matter who was at fault for the accident or injury
- Coverage: The breadth of worker’s compensation is wide. It generally covers medical expenses related to the injury or illness and some of the lost wages during recovery, though usually not all. If a permanent disability occurs, some of those medical expenses may be covered
- The most critical difference between personal injury claims and worker’s compensation is that worker’s compensation is a no-fault system. A no-fault system means that the claim will be paid no matter who caused the injury or illness as long as it was within the scope of the employee discharging their duties.
- In exchange for the no-fault system, there is an understanding of exclusivity, which means that employees generally cannot sue employers for additional damages; however, in cases of purposeful harm or gross negligence, there may be exceptions. It is always best to consult with an attorney.
At Lee Injury Law LLC, we are on your side from day one. We take on insurance companies and employers, so you don’t have to. Let us take this burden from your shoulders. Call us to schedule your free consultation.
What is a Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI)?
A repetitive stress injury (RSI) is caused by repeated overuse of a particular body part. Typically caused by manual labor, such as the heavy lifting often required of truck drivers or those who work in manufacturing positions or warehouses, these types of injuries are also becoming more common among office employees, as problems such as carpal tunnel and trigger finger are becoming more recognized as RSI diagnoses.
A repetitive stress injury can cause damage to the muscles, joints, tendons, or nerves and is a severe medical condition. It is not an injury that should be taken lightly and not something that employees or employers can afford to overlook or ignore.
What Are Some Types of Repetitive Stress Injuries?
There are many types of RSIs, but some are more common than others.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: This condition is the most common in office workers. It causes pain, tingling, and numbness in the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger due to median nerve compression and inflammation in the wrist.
- Epicondylitis: This condition occurs when elbow tendons become inflamed from muscle overuse. It presents in multiple ways. Tennis elbow affects tendons on the thumb or outside of the elbow, which controls the muscles that bend your wrist backward or away from your palm. Golfer’s elbow—affects the tendons on the pinky side of the elbow, which are responsible for bending your wrist forward or toward your palm.
- Trigger finger: This condition causes a finger to get “stuck” as it moves due to inflammation on the flexor tendon that bends the finger joints.
- Bursitis: Bursae are tiny fluid-filled sacs that provide padding in joints. Bursitis occurs when bursae become inflamed and swollen, pinching structures in the joint and leading to pain with movement.
- Tendonitis: This condition occurs when tendons become inflamed when a joint is overworked—especially when awkward positions or prolonged postures are involved. This condition develops in any joint throughout the body but often affects the shoulders, elbows, wrists, fingers, hips, knees, and ankles.
- Medial tibial stress syndrome: This condition, also known as shin splints, develops from inflammation of the muscles and tendons in the shin, often from activities or sports requiring excessive running and jumping.
When Should I Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Nobody wants to think about being injured, and you shouldn’t live in fear, but if you have a repetitive stress injury, you shouldn’t have to suffer in silence. Contact us at Lee Injury Law LLC. We understand the difficulty and uncertainties you are facing at this time. We empathize with the trauma these injuries cause families. Your job now is to heal. Let us negotiate with doctors, insurance companies, and your employer. We take the burden from your shoulders. Call us at 803-855-1012 to schedule your free consultation.
