You are good at your job because you have done the same work for years. You may even hope to retire from the company where you have worked for decades, but the health damage caused by your work could interrupt those plans.
Maybe you constantly multitask as the receptionist at of busy physical therapy office. Perhaps you are a machine press operator at a manufacturing facility. Doing the same job for years can give you a sense of competence and job security. Unfortunately, you could end up injuring yourself in a way that makes you change your job.
Doing the same work for years can lead to cumulative trauma
Your job probably requires certain physical functions from you. Whether you have to hold a phone, grip the steering wheel or lift merchandise, those repetitive motions cause damage to your joint and connective tissue. Over the years, those small traumas can build up into a significant injury.
Also known as repetitive stress injuries, cumulative traumas can suddenly flare up after years of minor symptoms, making it debilitatingly painful for someone to do their job. Workers may need time off, physical therapy, pain relief or even surgery to deal with it. In some cases, they may have to change what kind of work they do, as returning to the same job would exacerbate their injuries.
As with any other work-acquired medical condition, those who develop cumulative trauma because of their job can potentially qualify for workers’ compensation benefits to help them pay their bills and get the treatment they need. Understanding your rights will make filing a workers’ compensation claim easier.