Professional tennis players have to worry about damage to the tendons and ligaments in their arms, especially in the elbow. Swinging a tennis racket is a repetitive motion that puts excessive strain on certain parts of the arm, primarily around the joints. When players develop pain and inflammation, along with movement issues or restrictions, it is often referred to as tennis elbow.
But you certainly do not have to be a tennis player to suffer from this injury. Any similar repetitive swinging motion, such as swinging a hammer or a pickaxe, could result in elbow inflammation. In fact, you can also get repetitive motion injuries in other joints, such as your fingers, wrists, knees or shoulders. All of these can be so debilitating that you may not be able to work.
Can you seek workers comp benefits?
Yes, if you have developed a repetitive motion injury because of your job, you should qualify for workers’ comp benefits.
One thing to keep in mind, though, is that it can be a bit harder to prove that the injury is related to your employment. After all, it is a cumulative issue. It is not as if swinging the hammer one time is going to lead to serious pain. It only happens over years or decades of making that same motion.
This means it is important to talk to medical professionals to determine how and why the injury happened. It is not necessarily as clear-cut as other injuries, such as if you suffered a spinal cord injury in a fall from a ladder. But if you can prove that your work caused the injury, then you deserve benefits.
Your legal options
Workers’ comp can help to cover medical bills, lost wages and related costs. Be sure you know what options you have to seek the benefits you deserve.