Performing the same actions day in and day out can have some long-term effects on your body – especially if those movements end up damaging your muscles, tendons and joints in the long run. In the workers’ compensation field, that type of damage is called a repetitive stress injury – and a condition like tendonitis is a good example. If your tendonitis comes as a direct result of your job, you may be able to collect compensation with the help of a skilled Philadelphia lawyer like those at Larry Pitt & Associates.
What is tendonitis?
Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon, a piece of connective tissue which hold your muscles and bones together. Tendonitis can be acute, meaning you have injured a tendon in some way where with should eventually heal, or chronic, meaning that the injury of that tendon is recurring, and without some type of medical intervention it is unlikely to heal.
For example: an acute tendon injury might happen if you trip and twist your ankle, thus doing damage to your Achilles tendon in your heel. But basketball players, who put a lot of strain on their Achilles tendons because of all the running and jumping they do, may be more likely to develop chronic tendonitis.
Workers at risk
Though anyone who performs repetitive motions could develop tendonitis, certain professions and workers are at a higher risk, including:
- Cashiers
- Warehouse workers
- Shelf stockers
- Administrative executives
- Data entry
- Assembly line workers
- Factory workers
- Mechanics
- Drivers
If you job involves bending, lifting, typing or working with small pieces of products, you could be at risk of developing a repetitive stress injury such as tendonitis. You might also be at risk of carpal tunnel syndrome or bursitis, too, so it is smart to seek medical attention if you begin to feel pain (sharp or dull) or if you notice swelling around the part of your body that hurts. Numbness and fatigue may also indicate an injury.
Once you have seen a doctor who confirms that your tendonitis is the result of your job, the Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyers of Larry Pitt & Associates can help you through the benefits application process. Please call 888.PITT.LAW or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation at one of our multiple office locations serving Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties.