Most people believe that they should only seek compensation after a car accident, slip-and-fall injury, or medical malpractice. However, few people consider claiming compensation for injuries that they acquire due to long work hours. Repetitive strain is a common type of injury occurring in workplaces where workers do manual labor. Any work environment that involves repetitive bending of the body, frequent carrying of heavy loads, and other repetitive strain on a body part can lead to this type of injury. Here are things you ought to know before filing a claim for repetitive strain injuries.
Figuring Out Your Eligibility
Your first step should be to check if you are eligible for the claim. To become eligible, you have to be in a position to prove that your employer failed in their legal duty to protect you from harm. You should also have a way to show that your injuries or damages were the results of negligent workplace practices. These might seem like simple requirements to meet, but many people cannot handle them. It is always advisable to have a lawyer. For example, being forced to work long hours without a break is one way to acquire a repetitive stress injury. Therefore, a lawyer can assess the working conditions and gather evidence to help your case.
Getting the Evidence to Support the Claim
The second part of the process provides the necessary evidence to support your claim. In the case of a repetitive stress injury, your lawyer will check the state of the workstation to see whether it has poor organization. They will also want to know how much training you received before starting the work. If you are working on a computer, they might ask if you spent many hours in front of the screen without taking a break. All this evidence will form the basis for your claim.
Deciding How Much Compensation to Demand
The next part of the process is deciding how much money to ask for as compensation. It depends on the extent of the damage and other related consequences it might have caused. For example, they might look at your future earning capacity and decide to ask for money to compensate you for lost income.
Having a lawyer will help you have an easier time claiming compensation for repetitive strain injury. Consult with a competent personal injury lawyer and get them to start the legal process for you. You will get the best outcome with their help.
Contact a local personal injury lawyer for more information.
