There are numerous tasks that can cause wear and tear injuries at work. Let’s take a look at some of the most common:

Repetitive Motion, Force, and Posture Risks

Repetitive motion, force, and posture show up again and again in wear and tear claims. The body develops tendon and nerve fatigue because repeated movements generate continuous friction against these structures. The body experiences dangerous joint and disc damage because of excessive force application. Tissue compression and blood circulation decreases when people maintain uncomfortable positions for extended periods. Workplace injuries can become more severe and require longer recovery periods when multiple risks exist together.

Ergonomics, Tools, and Workstation Design

The incorrect matching of tools with workstations creates dangerous situations which lend themselves to wear and tear injuries. Examples include: the mouse stands at an excessive height which violates the proper positioning standards; the wrench features an unprotected handle which does not have any protective padding; the pallet stacks reach heights which require workers to perform dangerous movements. The implementation of basic ergonomic adjustments can help workers decrease their physical effort while they maintain proper body positions, but employers don’t always account for these adjustments in the workplace.

Age, Pre-existing Conditions, and Length of Employment

The human body loses its ability to stretch and heal as we age. Wear and tear risk factors can also increase because of existing arthritis, previous sports injuries, chronic conditions such as diabetes, and past surgical procedures. Many states provide workers compensation for pre-existing condition aggravation when work activities become either the main cause or a significant factor in the condition's development. The aging workforce should receive specific ergonomic accommodations together with work schedule modifications which protect them from wear and tear risks while maintaining their ability to work.

Dealing with a workers' compensation claim related to wear and tear can be confusing. The damage is real and sometimes difficult to quantify. That’s where a workers’ compensation attorney from DJD can help. Our team of dedicated workers ‘compensation lawyers know the process of filing wear and tear claims, as well as other types of workers’ compensation and personal injury claims.
The lawyers at DJD have offices conveniently located throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. We stand ready to work hard for you. If you think you have a wear and tear claim, don’t wait. Contact a DJD workers’ compensation lawyer to schedule a consultation today!