Worker's Compensation for Repetitive Stress Injuries

 Posted on January 21, 2026 in Workers' Compensation

Repetitive stress injuries can happen to any worker with any job. Even white-collar workers with desk jobs can sustain this type of injury. A repetitive stress injury happens when you repeat the same motion, such as lifting or typing, over and over. Over time, those repeated movements can damage your muscles, tendons, or nerves. You might first notice that a body part is sore, but you can still use it. Then, problems like pain, stiffness, or reduced movement build up, and it gets to a point where you can’t ignore the injury anymore. 

If you have suffered repetitive stress injuries on the job, you may be entitled to compensation. A dedicated Will County, IL workers’ compensation attorney can help you pursue the payment you deserve. At McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC, we have helped clients secure significant payouts from workers’ compensation claims, including six-figure settlements.

Common Causes of Repetitive Stress Injuries

Recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that musculoskeletal disorders often associated with repetitive strain injuries account for a large percentage of missed work days. Despite how prevalent they are, these injuries often go unnoticed until they become debilitating. With that in mind, it’s important to identify common sources of strain in your workplace before an injury spirals out of control.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Desk Jobs

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful medical condition that affects the hands, wrists, and lower arms. This condition is common among people who work in front of a computer. When you type continuously without proper ergonomic support, the median nerve running through your wrist can become compressed over time. Carpal tunnel syndrome may require surgery to repair.

Similar injuries include ulnar nerve pinches, which are more common in people who handwrite or work from a mobile phone. Tendonitis in the elbow is also common in desk workers who use computers.

Back Injuries From Repetitive Labor

Jobs that involve a lot of bending and heavy lifting can hurt your back over time. You might get slipped discs or tiny fractures in your spine (called spondylolysis). It’s also common to strain or tear muscles and other soft tissues in manual labor jobs. Firefighters or construction workers may get these injuries from handling heavy equipment. Similarly, healthcare providers may sustain them while lifting and turning patients.

Injuries From Repetitive Movements

Making the same motion over and over can cause strain to any body parts you are using, leading to damage over time. For example, factory workers often stand in the same place, making the same movements all day. This can lead to excessive strain on one part of the body, such as the shoulder or back. If your job involves making repetitive movements and you start to notice pain in one body part, do not ignore it. Report it to your supervisor, contact an attorney, and seek treatment.

The Importance of Seeing a Doctor for a Repetitive Stress Injury

Seeing a doctor as soon as you notice pain or tingling in your hands, wrists, elbows, or shoulders is crucial. A medical exam creates a clear record showing when your symptoms started and how they’ve progressed.

You have 45 days after noticing the injury to report it to your employer. You should also see a doctor who treats work-related injuries within that time. If you wait too long, your claim could be denied, even if the injury was clearly caused by your job. Our firm can walk you through the necessary paperwork to help file your claim within the deadlines.

What Does Workers’ Comp Cover in 2026?

Under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, insurers must pay for all reasonable and necessary medical treatment to cure or relieve the effects of your injury. To cover your wages, you may qualify for:

• Temporary Total Disability (TTD): Pays about two-thirds of your average weekly wage if you can’t work at all while recovering

• Temporary Partial Disability (TPD): Pays two-thirds of the difference between your average wage and what you can earn in light or restricted duty

• Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): Compensates lasting loss of function, rated in weeks based on impairment

• Permanent Total Disability (PTD): Provides ongoing benefits if you can’t ever return to work

These wage benefits last until your doctor says you’ve healed as much as possible or until the law says they must stop. The insurance carrier is also responsible for paying all of your medical bills. These expenses might include doctor visits, physical therapy, medicine, and more.

How Do You Prove a Repetitive Stress Injury Is Work-Related?

Proving that a repetitive stress injury is caused by your job means linking your medical diagnosis to your work duties. First, your doctor’s report should state that your condition is "work related" and describe the tasks that contributed to your injury. Next, you’ll need evidence showing you performed those tasks regularly.

Job descriptions, time logs, or testimony from supervisors and co-workers can support your claim. For repetitive stress injuries, you don’t necessarily have to prove that the injury originated from your job. However, you do have to prove that your job tasks worsened the condition. Even if your work tasks were only a partial cause behind the injury, you can still file a workers' comp claim.

To document your injuries, keep a symptom diary noting when pain starts and which activities make it worse. Share your early doctor records and reports with your employer and their insurer. If they dispute your claim, you might need an independent medical exam or a job evaluation.

If the insurer still denies your claim, you can file a petition with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. Clear, consistent medical and work records give you the best chance to prove your injury is work related. Our attorneys can appeal denied claims, refusing to back down until we’ve done everything we can.

Contact a Will County, IL Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC is dedicated to helping people who were injured while working. Our experienced Joliet, IL workers’ compensation attorneys are skilled in handling repetitive stress injury cases. You won’t pay any fees until we collect on your case, so you lose nothing by reaching out. Contact our offices at 815-727-0100 for a complimentary consultation.