When you first hear the words, "workplace injury" or "workers' compensation," you probably begin to think about dramatic accidents that result in serious bodily harm. While a majority of workplace injuries are the results of falls or other serious incidents, not much emphasis is placed on injuries that you may experience in an office setting. If you work a desk job in Maryland, you are subject to the risks of repetitive stress injuries. These occur when you are involved in repetitive motions each day such as typing at a computer or talking on the phone.
While your employer may be unaware of your discomfort, ignoring the problem can only put you at further risk of long-term problems. According to verywellhealth.com, body parts such as your tendons, muscles, and ligaments can be affected by a lack of change in the way you perform your daily tasks. Symptoms of repetitive stress injuries include the following:
- Swelling or redness on or around the area that is causing you discomfort.
- Numbness or tingling.
- A noticeable change in the strength or endurance you have in a certain body part.
When you bring your concerns to the attention of your employer, they can help you to implement a more ergonomic approach that will hopefully aid in eliminating the strain you are experiencing each day. As you recover, it is important that you condition yourself, perform regular therapy exercises and make sure that you change the way you perform your daily tasks. When you follow your doctor's suggestions and are careful going forward, your chances of experiencing a full recovery are much higher.
The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice.