It’s not just the sudden accident at work that can cause a workplace injury. Many workers in Illinois are able to recover workers’ compensation benefits related to repetitive work injuries. These types of injuries develop over time as a result of constant twisting, flexing, bending, etc. while performing job duties.
According to a published report, one Illinois worker recently found out that it’s not enough to simply list your job duties, and hope that it will be understood what the duties entailed, and how they caused your injury. When proving a work-related repetitive trauma, the specifics are key.
In that case the Workers’ Compensation Commission said that the worker just listed off her job duties, including typing, filing, and using and filling the copy machine. What were missing, were specific details about the motions she performed, including the body parts affected and the amount of time she did each movement in a day or week.
Illinois courts have cautioned that it’s not necessary to present proof of each separate movement with exact numbers and quantity of pressure involved. But you do need to be able to show that your injury was related to your job duties particularly, and not just the ordinary wear and tear our bodies go through anyway.
The cases where repetitive trauma was found to be work-related generally contain a solid level of detail. They show what the tasks were, and that the movements were performed on a daily basis for a significant period of time. Medical records should show that there is evidence that your injury was caused or made worse by the repetitive hand, arm, or other body movements in performing your job.
For example, a treating physician can testify that you suffered trauma from: consistently pushing and pulling with your upper body; consistently manipulating objects with your fingers; consistently grasping and twisting with your hands; and other such movements throughout the course of your workday.
While specific mathematical proof may not be necessary to establish this kind of a workers’ compensation claim, a specific detailed showing of your work activities and their medical result may in fact be key.
We are workers’ compensation attorneys that help people with Illinois work injuries anywhere in IL via our statewide network of attorneys. Contact us and we will answer your questions or find the right lawyer for your situation.