Understanding Repetitive Stress Injuries and Workers’ Comp Claims
If you are suffering from a repetitive stress injury (RSI) caused by the demands of your job in Massachusetts or Rhode Island, the pain, numbness, and limited mobility can be truly debilitating. Unlike a sudden accident, an RSI develops gradually, often leaving you unsure of when or how to file a workers’ compensation claim. Please know that you are not alone in this experience. Repetitive strain injuries are a serious and common workplace condition, accounting for a significant portion of worker injury and illness cases. At Rob Levine Law, we understand the frustration of chronic work pain and are ready to help you trace your injury back to its source and secure the benefits you need for medical care and lost wages.
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November 3, 2025
What are Repetitive Stress Injuries?
A Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI), also often called a cumulative trauma disorder or work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD), is damage to the muscles, tendons, nerves, and soft tissues of the body. This damage happens slowly over time due to repeated physical movements, sustained awkward postures, or constant force at work. Because RSIs are acquired over time during employment, they are frequently covered under workers’ compensation. Instead of being caused by one specific event, RSIs are the result of micro-traumas that build up month after month or year after year until the body’s soft tissues break down.
RSIs can affect any part of the body, but they are generally seen in the:
- Hands, wrists, and fingers
- Elbows and forearms
- Shoulders and neck
- Lower back
Commonly Recognized RSI Conditions
The slow progression of an RSI can make it difficult to get a definitive diagnosis, but there are several common conditions that are frequently recognized as work-related cumulative trauma:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Pressure on the median nerve in the wrist, causing numbness, pain, and tingling in the hand (thumb, index, and middle fingers).
- Tendinitis: Inflammation of a tendon, often resulting in conditions like “Tennis Elbow” (outside of the elbow) or “Golfer’s Elbow” (inside of the elbow).
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion joints, commonly occurring in the shoulder, elbow, or knee.
- Trigger Finger (Stenosing Tenosynovitis): Inflammation that narrows the space around the tendon in the finger, causing the finger to lock or catch when bent.
- De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis: Inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, causing pain and swelling, often associated with forceful gripping and twisting.
What Are Common Signs of a Repetitive Stress Injury?
The symptoms of a work-related repetitive stress injury (RSI) typically start subtly, often only becoming noticeable after a long day of work. Initially, the discomfort may seem manageable, but if ignored, the symptoms tend to progress, often developing into constant pain that can interfere with sleep and disrupt your daily life. As the condition worsens, the pain may intensify, making everyday tasks more challenging and causing significant distress. Common signs that your pain may be a work-related RSI include:
- Pain, Aching, or Throbbing: This may begin as a mild, dull ache that gradually intensifies over time into severe and persistent pain. It may worsen with repeated activity or after long periods of use.
- Numbness or Tingling: Often described as a “pins and needles” sensation, especially in the hands, fingers, or other areas that are regularly subjected to repetitive motion or pressure. This feeling can signal nerve compression or irritation.
- Stiffness and Weakness: You may experience difficulty grasping objects, a noticeable lack of grip strength, or a reduced range of motion in the affected joint. This can lead to a decline in your ability to perform tasks that were once simple.
- Swelling and Inflammation: Visible puffiness or tenderness around the affected joint, such as the wrist, elbow, or shoulder, is common. The swelling may also cause additional discomfort, making movement even more difficult.
If you begin noticing these symptoms developing, it is essential to report them to your employer as soon as possible and seek medical attention immediately. Early treatment and intervention can prevent the injury from becoming more severe and may help you avoid long-term damage that could have lasting effects on your health and quality of life. Taking action at the earliest signs of discomfort can significantly improve your chances of a full recovery and reduce the need for more intensive treatment later on.
What Can Cause a Repetitive Stress Injury?
Repetitive stress injuries are primarily caused by tasks that place excessive and cumulative strain on the body’s joints and soft tissues. These tasks are often related to poor ergonomics, which is how a workspace or task is designed to fit the worker.
Common workplace activities and conditions that lead to RSIs include:
- High Repetition: Performing the same motion thousands of times a day, common in factory work, assembly lines, and data entry.
- Forceful Exertion: Repeatedly gripping, squeezing, or operating tools that require high levels of force.
- Awkward Postures: Working with hands above the head, bending the wrist repeatedly, or twisting the neck or torso for long periods.
- Vibration: The use of vibrating hand tools or heavy machinery, which can damage nerves and circulation over time.
- Lack of Rest: An employer’s failure to provide adequate rest breaks to allow the body to recover between repetitive movements.
Jobs with a high risk of RSIs include construction, manufacturing, nursing, meatpacking, grocery checkout, and long-term computer or desk work.
Can I Sue For a Repetitive Stress Injury?
In both Massachusetts and Rhode Island, workers’ compensation is generally the exclusive remedy for a work-related injury, meaning you cannot sue your employer simply because your job caused your RSI. Workers’ compensation is a “no-fault” system designed to cover your medical care and lost wages, regardless of who was at fault. However, in limited situations, a Third-Party Liability Claim may be possible. This would be a separate personal injury lawsuit against a party other than your employer who was negligent.
For an RSI, a third-party claim could involve:
- Manufacturers: If a defective tool, piece of machinery, or computer equipment directly caused or contributed to your injury.
- Site Owners/Managers: If you were working on a construction site or another location managed by an outside entity whose negligence created an unsafe work environment.
These third-party claims are complicated and require extensive investigation to prove fault. Rob Levine Law has the experience to thoroughly investigate your case and determine all potential sources of compensation.
How a Rob Levine Law Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help After A Repetitive Stress Injury?
If you are dealing with a repetitive stress injury, the insurance company may try to deny your claim by arguing it’s pre-existing or caused by non-work activities. Proving the injury is work-related can be difficult, but Rob Levine Law is here to help. Our workers’ compensation lawyers can gather evidence, ensure your claim meets state requirements, and fight denials through formal dispute resolution. Our goal is to secure compensation for your medical expenses, rehabilitation, and disability benefits. Call us today at (800) 742-3920 or reach out online to schedule a free consultation.
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