Workplace injuries are not always immediate or visible. Some injuries, often referred to as “silent injuries,” develop gradually over time and may not be noticed until they become serious. These types of injuries are particularly common in jobs that require repetitive movements, poor ergonomics, or exposure to harmful substances. Understanding the types of silent injuries that can occur in the workplace is crucial for both employers and employees to prevent long-term harm.
1. Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs)
One of the most common types of silent injuries in the workplace is repetitive strain injuries (RSIs). These occur when a person performs the same motion repeatedly, causing damage to muscles, tendons, or nerves. RSIs are particularly prevalent in jobs that involve typing, using tools, or working on an assembly line. Conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and tennis elbow are examples of RSIs.
RSIs develop over time and may initially present as mild discomfort. However, if left untreated, they can lead to chronic pain and reduced mobility. Early intervention, such as taking breaks, using ergonomic equipment, and practicing proper posture, can help prevent RSIs from becoming severe.
2. Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is another silent injury that often goes unnoticed until significant damage has occurred. Workers in industries such as construction, manufacturing, or aviation are frequently exposed to loud noises that can cause gradual hearing loss. While ear protection is typically required in these environments, not using it properly or consistently can lead to long-term hearing damage.
3. Respiratory Issues
Prolonged exposure to harmful substances in the air, such as dust, chemicals, or fumes, can lead to respiratory problems that may not show symptoms right away. Workers in industries like construction, mining, or painting are particularly at risk for developing conditions such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, or even more serious illnesses like lung cancer.
4. Mental Health Conditions
Mental health conditions, such as stress, anxiety, and depression, can also be considered silent workplace injuries. In high-pressure environments, workers may experience chronic stress without realizing the long-term impact it has on their mental and physical well-being. Over time, unmanaged stress can lead to burnout, anxiety disorders, or depression.
These conditions often go unnoticed by employers and colleagues because they are not visible. However, they can significantly affect a worker’s performance, job satisfaction, and overall health.
5. Cumulative Trauma
Cumulative trauma refers to injuries that occur due to the gradual wear and tear on the body from repetitive activities or poor working conditions. Unlike sudden accidents, cumulative trauma builds over time and can affect various parts of the body, including the back, neck, shoulders, and knees.
6. Vision Problems
Workers who spend long hours staring at computer screens are at risk of developing silent injuries related to their vision. Conditions like eye strain, dry eyes, and blurred vision are often grouped under the term “computer vision syndrome.” These issues can develop gradually, with workers experiencing headaches, difficulty focusing, or discomfort without realizing the long-term impact on their eyesight.
Silent injuries in the workplace are often overlooked because they develop gradually and are not immediately noticeable. However, they can have a significant impact on a worker’s health and productivity if left untreated.
Workers Compensation
To find out whether or not workers compensation benefits are available for your particular situation and injuries, a good place to begin investigating this is with workers compensation lawyers Rockville, MD injured workers can rely on.
There are times when a “job well done” requires a worker to engage in the same motions over and over again. Roofers affix endless nails into shingles. Administrative assistants often type for hours at a time. Landscaping professionals may haul bag after bag of fertilizer, while factory workers may need to repeat a single motion for the length of an entire shift.
It is perhaps unsurprising that the dynamic human body does not generally respond well to being compelled to perform the same actions repeatedly, day in and day out. Over time, repetitive motions can cause wear and tear on the body, leading to injury. Sometimes these injuries cause pain, limit function and may even render a worker unable to perform his or her job. Thankfully, workers’ compensation benefits are often available for individuals whose bodies have been compromised by repetitive stress injuries in the workplace. Many people find it easiest to seek compensation for their Rockville repetitive stress injuries with the help of workers compensation lawyers that are licensed to practice throughout the state of MD.
Do You Have a Work-Related Repetitive Stress Injury?
Repetitive Stress Injuries are generally sustained over a significant period of time. Lifting a few heavy objects on a single day and throwing one’s back out would likely not be considered a repetitive stress injury. Lifting heavy objects over a number of weeks, months or years and sustaining tissue damage from the cumulative effects of that lifting would likely be considered a repetitive stress injury.
It is important to note that not every repetitive job results in injury and not every repetitive stress injury manifests the same way in every worker. For example, someone who types for several hours each day may, over time, experience tingling and numbness in the hands. Another worker who types for several hours each day may, over time, experience debilitating pain in the fingers and wrists. Just because your symptoms do not match those of your co-workers doesn’t mean that you have not sustained a qualifying injury.
Discussing your situation with reputable Rockville, MD workers compensation lawyers may help you to decide whether or not you have a work-related repetitive stress injury that is worth seeking compensation for.
Are Workers’ Compensation Benefits Available?
Each state’s workers compensation system operates a little differently. This is one of the reasons why it is generally advisable to speak with a lawyer as soon as you believe you might be eligible for benefits. Sometimes workers are required to file claims themselves while other times employers must file a given claim. Some workers are required to be examined by specific physicians, while other workers may see their private physicians and have them fill out particular forms.
Because repetitive stress injuries can be exacerbated over time and because they can be particularly challenging to prove, it is important to act as soon as you suspect that you have a qualifying injury. Ensuring that claims are filed properly and under specific timed conditions can be tricky. But an attorney can aid you in navigating your state’s claim process. Forging ahead on your own without legal advice may render you ineligible for the benefits you may otherwise be entitled to, depending on the specific circumstances of your repetitive stress injury. To try to avoid this situation, enlist the help of trustworthy workers compensation lawyers in Rockville or near where you were employed in MD, before you accept any compensation or settlement.
Getting Access to Your Benefits
Although legitimate workers’ compensation claims should be paid promptly and accurately, the workers’ compensation insurance system is not always straightforward. Seeking assistance from an experienced workers’ compensation attorney may aid you in ensuring that you receive access to the benefits you are entitled to in a timely manner. If your repetitive stress injury is affecting your ability to work or live your life outside of work, please consider speaking with a knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney today.
For highly rated workers compensation lawyer Rockville, MD injured workers can turn to when they need help, contact the deadicated team at Cohen & Cohen for a free case evaluation with no obligations.
