Not all railroad injuries occur in collisions

Have you been working on a Louisiana railroad for so long that you barely have to think about your job to do it? Of course, even if you could do your job blindfolded, many railroad positions are inherently dangerous, and you no doubt exert much focus and attention to your tasks to keep yourself and others safe.

However, if your job involves repeated tasks, perhaps in a ticket office or train yard, you may be at risk for repetitive stress injuries. While such injuries may not be as catastrophic as those often suffered in derailments, they can still cause serious pain and temporary or permanent disability. The more you know about repetitive stress injuries ahead of time, the easier you will recognize a problem if one arises.

Hands often feel the most effects

If you constantly use your hands, and in particular use them in a similar motion, over and over again at work, you are at risk for carpel tunnel syndrome. This condition can cause severe pain. It develops over time, like most RSIs. The following list includes further information about other parts of the body that can suffer repetitive stress injuries as well as what the most common types are:

• Your hands have tons of nerves and tendons; that’s why they can easily become injured if you use them to carry out your workplace duties.
• In addition to carpel tunnel syndrome, you may suffer from tendonitis or bursitis, both of which can be debilitating.
• Tendonitis affects the tendons in your body while bursitis affects bones.
• Tennis elbow or trigger finger are common terms applied to repetitive stress injuries in arms or hands.
• Pain is a main symptom of RSI. You may also experience tingling, swelling or difficulty adapting to changes in cold or hot temperatures.
• The American Society for Surgery of the Hand became active in World War II and remains active today, comprised of surgeons who treat RSI injuries of the hand.
• If you are female or have small wrists, you may be at greater risk for carpel tunnel syndrome.

RSIs develop over time. Your symptoms may present as nagging discomfort or even intermittent stabbing pains. If you think your injury happened because of the work you do, you’ll want to immediately report it to your railroad administrators. As with derailments and other railway accidents, your benefits system is governed by the Federal Employers Liability Act program.

Be proactive and document everything

There are definite steps you can take to claim benefits through the FELA system if you suffer an RSI at work on a Louisiana railroad. Hopefully, you’ll receive proper medical care and be back on the job in no time. If your injury makes it impossible to return to work, you may want to talk to someone well-versed in FELA laws who can help you get the care you need and the benefits and compensation (if warranted) that will help you make ends meet.