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Cumulative Trauma and Repetitive Work Injuries

Many times, injuries at work occur gradually instead of as a result of one specific event.  One of the most common examples of a gradual injury is carpal tunnel syndrome.  This condition often develops as a result of repetitive work with the hands or arms.

People also suffer gradual injuries to other parts of their bodies such as their backs, necks, shoulders and knees.  These injuries can develop over weeks, months or years of work.

Many times, people keep working as their injury gradually worsens.  Many people eventually get to the point that they need to see a doctor or just cannot physically work anymore.  Often, they have questions about whether Georgia workers’ compensation law covers these types of injuries.

Does Georgia workers’ compensation law cover gradual, repetitive work injuries?

Yes.  In order for Georgia’s workers’ compensation law to cover you, you must suffer an injury arising out of and in the course of your employment.   But, the word “injury” includes gradually developing injuries that occur from repetitive work and cumulative trauma.  Georgia law also covers aggravations of preexisting conditions, even if they are gradually developing.

Many times, people are injured when they have to do a physically demanding task over and over again at work.   People who have to lift heavy items all day long often suffer injuries to their backs.  Doctors usually order an MRI if a back condition does not get better.  If the MRI shows a lot of degenerative disc disease or “arthritis”, the workers’ compensation insurance company may claim that your back problem is just due to old age.

When a worker lifted heavy materials at work for many years, it is certainly quite likely that the work gradually caused the back problems (even if there was no specific injury).  If you may have suffered any sort of gradually acquired, repetitive, or cumulative injury at work, you should talk to your employer about filing a workers’ compensation claim.

What if my employer or their workers’ compensation insurance company denies my claim?

You may receive a Form WC-1 or Form WC-3 “controverting” (a fancy word for denying) your claim.  Your employer may just tell you they are not going to handle it under workers’ compensation.

If your employer denies your claim  for any reason, you should definitely talk to an attorney to find out if you should pursue your claim.  Even if your employer accepts your claim, you may still want to talk to an attorney.  You will want to make sure the insurance company handles your claim right.

What if I have other questions about workers compensation?

Georgia’s workers compensation system can be very confusing.  You have to worry about getting the treatment you need and paying your bills while also worrying about not missing any deadlines that could cause you to lose your right to receive workers compensation benefits.

If you have questions, I would recommend that you try to get answers.  To find out more about how to schedule a time to talk to me about your workers compensation questions, just read this short article.

Jason Perkins is an attorney who specializes in representing injured workers.  He regularly publishes videos and write blog articles about Georgia’s workers compensation system and issues that are important to injured workers and their families.

To be notified of Jason’s new workers compensation videos, subscribe to his Georgia Workers Compensation Video Series channel on YouTube by clicking the subscribe button below.

Brittney-lee orourkeBrittney-lee orourke
05:23 18 Feb 22
Amazing! Jason and his team were very helpful and had the best communication by far. Walked me though every step with great detail and had answers for any question I had. They handled my case better then I could imagine, it was a weird case and they stayed on top of it and kept me updated every step of the way! Highly recommend this Team! Thanks so much to Jason and his Awesome team!-Brittney
China JonesChina Jones
18:58 08 Feb 22
I absolutely love this group of attorneys, when I was at my lowest they did everything they could to help me get justice for my injury. I believe if I were to have never picked my phone up and called the amazing group that helped me I definitely would not have received my idea of rights. If you have an issue and are just not sure please understand that they will help you, stay in contact, answer any question you have, and for sure get you the justice you deserve I thank them from the bottom of my heart and I will definitely refer them to anyone who has been hurt because they most definitely care about their work and clients.
Luv LocsLuv Locs
16:08 15 Jan 22
The entire law office was attentive and responsive to all of my concerns dealing with my workers compensation case.
moombimoombi
21:14 02 Jan 22
If you must get a lawyer involved, you’d do well to work with Jason Perkins and his team at Perkins Studdard Law.They were thorough in gathering information and in sharing all the steps in the workers comp process specific to my case. Jason and the team were responsive to my bevy of questions and concerns.I appreciated the informative videos and consultations provided by Jason over video meetings and multiple phone calls.I hope I’m never injured on the job again. However, if I am and if my employer responds as my previous employer did, I’ll contact Perkins Studdard Law immediately to handle the case.
Dana BessDana Bess
23:57 10 Dec 21
Everyone at Perkins Studdard was kind and professional. They were always extremely responsive and answered all questions that I had and followed up to make sure I had an understanding of what was going on along with emailing videos to explain every step of my case so I would know what to expect and be prepared. Jason is a very genuine person and I trusted him with my case. He answered so many questions for me even before I retained him as my WC lawyer. I highly recommend him and his associates at Perkins Studdard.
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Jason Perkins

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