Many people associate workers’ compensation with a single event, such as a fall or an injury caused by equipment. But work can also hurt your body gradually. Repeated lifting, gripping, typing, or reaching may contribute to a condition that gets worse over weeks, months, or years.
In Colorado, a repetitive stress or overuse injury may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits if it is connected to your work. You do not necessarily need to identify one moment when the injury occurred.
What kinds of injuries may qualify?
Repetitive work can affect the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, back, and other parts of the body. Depending on the circumstances, a worker might develop carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, or another diagnosed condition. These problems can arise in a range of jobs, from warehouse and construction work to office and health care roles.
A diagnosis alone does not establish that an injury is work-related. The key question is whether your job duties caused or contributed to the condition. A medical provider may consider what you do at work, how often you perform those tasks, when your symptoms began, and whether other factors could be involved.
Why can these claims be disputed?
A gradual injury is often harder to trace than one caused by a single event. An insurer may question whether the condition came from work, a prior health issue, or activities outside the workplace. Symptoms may also have started long before you realized you needed treatment.
That makes a clear account of your work especially useful. Be specific when describing your duties to a medical provider. For example, explain how many hours you spend using a tool, how often you lift, or which movements make your symptoms worse. Tell the provider when you first noticed symptoms and how they have changed.
What should you do if you suspect an overuse injury?
Seek medical advice rather than waiting for the pain to become unbearable. Tell your employer about the condition in writing as soon as you believe it may be related to work. Colorado’s reporting rules can affect benefits, and the timing of a gradually developing condition may raise questions, so prompt notice is wise.
Ask your employer how to obtain care through its workers’ compensation process. Colorado generally uses a designated provider system for treatment. Keep copies of your written notice, medical records, work restrictions, and any correspondence about your claim.
If your claim is accepted, benefits may include reasonable medical care and, when you qualify, wage replacement if your condition prevents you from working or your employer cannot accommodate medical restrictions. The benefits available depend on your diagnosis, work limitations, and other details of your claim.
A repetitive injury can be serious even when it develops slowly. If your employer or its insurer disputes the connection to your work, Keating Wagner can review the evidence, explain your options, and help you pursue the benefits you may be owed.
