Documenting Chronic Pain from Repetitive Stress Injuries
Are you concerned about chronic pain caused by your job? Repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) develop over time, often causing chronic pain that affects daily life and work performance. If you're dealing with ongoing pain from an RSI, documenting it properly is crucial, especially if you plan to file a workers' compensation claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Without clear documentation, proving the extent of your injury and the impact on your work can be challenging. You don’t have to figure out the right steps on your own, however, as a personal injury attorney at Stiberth, Scarlati & Boudreau, LLC in Elgin, Illinois, can help guide you through the process.
What Are Repetitive Stress Injuries?
RSIs happen when repetitive motions strain muscles, tendons, and nerves. These injuries are common in jobs that require constant typing, lifting, or assembly line work. Some of the most frequent RSIs include:
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Tendinitis
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
Rotator cuff injuries
Trigger finger
Bursitis
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
Sciatica due to prolonged sitting or poor posture
Even though RSIs develop gradually, their effects can be severe. Without proper treatment and workplace accommodations, they can lead to long-term disability. Many workers find that RSIs make it difficult to complete routine tasks, which can result in reduced productivity and even job loss.
Why Documentation Matters for a Claim
To receive compensation for an RSI, you have to prove that your injury is work-related and has caused significant limitations. Proper documentation helps establish:
The onset and progression of symptoms
How the injury impacts your ability to work
Medical treatments you've received
Any accommodations or modifications you've requested
The long-term prognosis of your condition
The extent to which pain affects your daily activities
A well-documented case makes it easier to support your claim and argue for benefits like medical care, wage replacement, or job modifications. Without proper records, an employer or insurance company may dispute your claim and deny compensation.
Keep a Detailed Pain Journal
One of the best ways to document chronic pain is by maintaining a daily pain journal. This helps create a clear record of your symptoms over time that can be used by your personal injury attorney to argue your case. Your journal should include:
Date and time: Record when pain occurs and how long it lasts.
Pain level: Use a scale from one to 10 to describe intensity.
Pain location: Identify where the pain is and whether it spreads.
Activities before the pain started: Note what you were doing when pain flared up.
Symptoms: List sensations like throbbing, burning, tingling, or stiffness.
Impact on daily tasks: Document difficulties with work or personal activities.
Treatments and relief methods: Write down any medications, rest periods, or therapies that help.
Changes in symptoms: Note whether the pain is worsening or improving over time.
A pain journal offers consistent, detailed evidence that supports your claim, showing the ongoing impact of your injury. It also helps your doctor and personal injury attorney understand your experience better, making it an essential tool for your case.
Seek Medical Attention and Keep Records
Seeing a doctor as soon as symptoms start is essential. Medical records serve as a crucial tool for a personal injury attorney working on your case. Make sure to:
Visit a physician regularly: Ongoing medical records strengthen your claim.
Follow prescribed treatments: This shows you're taking steps to manage your injury.
Request copies of medical reports: These documents can support your case if there’s a dispute.
Keep track of referrals: If you're sent to specialists, note their diagnoses and recommendations.
Document prescribed medications: List what you've been given and any side effects.
Save imaging results: X-rays, MRIs, and other scans provide objective proof of an injury.
Log physical therapy sessions: If your doctor recommends therapy, track your progress and challenges.
Medical records carry significant weight in workers' compensation and personal injury cases, proving that your condition is real and persistent. Regular visits to a healthcare professional also show that your injury is ongoing and requires continuous care.
Collect Workplace Documentation
Your employer may have policies in place for reporting injuries. Even if your RSI developed gradually, it’s important to:
Report symptoms to your supervisor: Provide written notice as soon as possible.
Request an official incident report: Some workplaces require formal documentation.
Track accommodations: If you’ve requested ergonomic adjustments, keep records of responses.
Save emails and communications: Any correspondence about your injury can support your claim.
Monitor changes in job duties: If your employer assigns different tasks, document the reason for the change.
Workplace records show that your employer was aware of the issue and help connect your injury to job-related activities. Failing to report symptoms early on may give the impression that your condition isn’t serious, which could present challenges to a personal injury attorney fighting for your claim.
Get Statements from Coworkers and Supervisors
Witness testimony can strengthen your claim. Coworkers who’ve seen you struggle with pain or modify your work habits can provide:
Written statements: These should describe how your injury has affected your work.
Observations of work conditions: Details about repetitive tasks or lack of ergonomic support.
Reports of verbal complaints: If you mentioned pain to colleagues, their statements could help.
Testimony regarding job changes: If your employer changed your duties due to your injury, this can support your claim.
Testimonies provide an outside perspective on how your injury has developed over time. Coworker statements can be particularly useful to a personal injury attorney if your employer disputes the severity of your injury.
Use Photographic and Video Evidence
Visual evidence can be compelling when used by a skilled personal injury attorney. Consider documenting:
Workstation setup: Show any ergonomic risks like poor chair support or repetitive hand motions.
Braces or medical devices used: Photos of wrist braces or supports illustrate the seriousness of your condition.
Visible swelling or inflammation: If your injury has physical signs, document them over time.
Modifications to work habits: Video clips of how you adjust tasks due to pain.
Before-and-after comparisons: Showing differences in mobility or work efficiency over time.
These visuals can help prove your injury’s progression and the impact on your ability to work. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be.
Track Financial Losses
Chronic pain from an RSI can lead to lost wages and extra medical costs. Keeping financial records can support your case. You should make sure to track:
Missed workdays: Note any days you’ve been unable to work due to pain or treatment.
Reduced hours: If you've had to cut back on work, document the changes.
Medical expenses: Keep receipts for doctor visits, medications, and physical therapy.
Out-of-pocket costs: If you’ve had to buy special equipment or modify your home, keep records.
Lost opportunities: If your injury prevented you from earning bonuses or promotions, document this loss.
Showing financial strain adds another layer of evidence that can help a personal injury attorney prove that your injury has significantly affected your life.
Reach Out Today
Documenting chronic pain from a repetitive stress injury takes time and effort, but it’s worth it. Keeping a detailed pain journal, collecting medical and workplace records, and tracking financial losses can strengthen your case. We serve clients in Chicago, Illinois, and throughout Cook and the Collar counties. If you’re struggling with an RSI, working with a personal injury attorney at Stiberth, Scarlate & Boudreau, LLC can help you get the compensation you deserve.