Moody, Strople, Kloeppel & Higginbotham, Inc. represents railroad workers who are injured due to chronic overuse of the hands, wrist, arms and shoulders. These conditions are caused by a number of workplace risk factors, including repetitive motion, forceful gripping, hand/arm vibration, sharp wrist flexion and awkward posture. Continued exposure to the risks can result in a variety of neurologic, vascular, and orthopedic disabilities including, most commonly, carpal tunnel syndrome.
Frequently Asked Questions about Railroad workers and Cumulative Trauma
Are repetitive stress injuries covered under the Federal Employers Liability Act? (back to FAQs)
Yes. If the injuries are caused in whole or in part by conditions in the workplace which were not reasonably safe, a worker is entitled to compensation under the FELA. The railroad industry has been slow to recognize workplace risks associated with repetitive stress injuries and has done very little to educate its workers about how to prevent these injuries and to recognize the symptoms associated with them.
What are the symptoms of repetitive stress injuries? (back to FAQs)
Symptoms include recurrent aching, pain and swelling in the hands, wrists, elbow, and shoulder. Early warning signs of carpal tunnel syndrome include numbness, tingling, and burning in the palm and fingers. These symptoms can be severe enough to cause sleep disturbance.
Can these conditions result in permanent disability? (back to FAQs)
Yes. If left Untreated or if a worker is returned to the same activities which created the original injury, these conditions can result in permanent disability.
How are repetitive stress injuries medically treated? (back to FAQs)
The most important medical care which a worker can receive for these types of injuries is an early diagnostic examination by a physician qualified to treat occupational diseases of the upper extremities. Mild cases of carpal tunnel syndrome may be treated with conservative techniques such as a period of prescribed rest, anti-inflammatory medication or wrist splints. More sever cases will require surgery to release pressure on the transverse carpal ligament. Other types of repetitive stress injuries may require surgery to other parts of the upper extremity.
What railroad crafts are at the highest risk for development of repetitive stress injuries? (back to FAQs)
Repetitive Stress Injuries can result from any workplace activity which places repetitive stress on hands, wrists, arms, and joints of the upper extremity. The most serious disabling injuries which our firm has seen have occurred in the maintenance of way and mechanical crafts, particularly to those employees whose jobs require the use of vibrating tools and involve activities with a great deal of production pressure. Clerical workers can be at increased risk for repetitive stress if they are required to perform large amounts of data entry, computer operation, and typing, particularly at uncomfortable work stations.
Is there a time limit which controls when a railroad worker may present an FELA claim for repetitive stress injuries? (back to FAQs)
Yes. As with all occupational disease claims, injured workers must file suit within three years of the date when they knew or reasonably should have known that they have suffered a repetitive stress injury related to work on the railroad. Determining when this time period begins to run is sometimes difficult. The safest course is to seek prompt legal advice if the worker recognized symptoms which signal the onset of a repetitive stress injury.
Can any lawyer handle my claim for repetitive stress injury? (back to FAQs)
Because of the often complicated medical aspects of repetitive stress claims and the specialized duties of railroad workers you should seek an attorney designated by your union with a proven track record in such cases.
Moody, Strople, Kloeppel & Higginbotham, Inc. has many years of experience as union designated counsel in handling repetitive stress claims. If you wish additional information regarding a potential repetitive stress claim, leave a message at moodyrrlaw.com or call 1-800-368-1033.
Willard J. Moody, Sr., Profile | Willard J. Moody, Jr., Profile | FELA Law | Attorneys | Occupational Disease Division | Union Designations
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