A repetitive strain injury (RSI) can be any injury caused by exertion, sustained positions or repetitive tasks. These workplace injuries are quite common and affect the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. They can cause strains, chronic pain, weakness, tingling sensations and other symptoms. In the worst-case scenarios, they can prevent workers from performing their duties.

If you have sustained a repetitive use injury in Missouri or Kansas, you will want to consult a repetitive use injury lawyer in your community. An attorney can help you seek workers’ compensation or other benefits you may qualify for.

Why Do I Need an Attorney?

If you have been diagnosed with an RSI such as carpal tunnel, it is advisable to contact a repetitive use injury lawyer at the Phalen Law Firm offices in Pittsburg, KS, Coffeyville, KS, Kansas City, KS or Joplin, MO. These workers’ compensation cases tend to be more complex, and having an attorney by your side can be an important resource as you fight for your rights to benefits.

There are a few reasons why repetitive strain injuries can be more challenging workers’ compensation claims:

  • Employers and their insurance companies may allege the injury is not work-related. It can be tough to relate an RSI specifically to a job since an employee may also use an affected limb or body part in hobbies and everyday tasks.
  • There is no specific accident or injury to observe. It can be a challenge to determine exactly when an RSI started since many will begin with mild symptoms and get progressively worse. In addition, because there is no specific incident or accident to report, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly when the injury occurred. This can lead insurance companies and employers to allege the injury was not work-related.
  • RSIs may be aggravated by work. An RSI may exist from an earlier job or injury and may be aggravated by current work conditions. While technically, this should make the injury covered by workers’ compensation, it can be tough to prove a condition was worsened by current work duties.
  • Medical evidence may not be based on specific tests. Many RSIs are diagnosed based on self-reported symptoms. Chronic pain and tingling, even when they are debilitating, may not show up on medical tests, meaning employers and insurance companies may resist a diagnosis. It is important to work with a workers’ compensation attorney who can secure medical testimony and help determine exactly when and how a repetitive strain injury took place.
  • Employers and their insurance company may play down the symptoms. Patients with edema, tendinosis, cubital tunnel syndrome, intersection syndrome, radial tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome and other repetitive strain injuries may feel better one day and worse the next and may have few obvious symptoms. Therefore, it’s easy for insurance companies to allege symptoms are minor or even non-existent.

What Should You Do If You Have an RSI?

If you have a repetitive strain injury, contact a repetitive motion injury lawyer at Phalen Law Firm. You can get in touch with us at one of our Kansas offices in Pittsburg, Coffeyville or Kansas City as well as at our Joplin, MO location. Our attorneys can advise you about your rights and options and can represent you if your claim has been denied.

C JC J
21:34 06 Aug 23
It has been a long road of recovery, very thankful for all they have done on my behalf, Bill and Melissa thank you for having my back and helping me get through everthing i have gone through in the last few years.
TikTok BattleTikTok Battle
13:21 28 Mar 23
Very nice employees. William is an awesome attorney if it had an option for 10 stars I would give him 10. I highly recommend him to anyone in search of a great attorney
Dorothy RuebelDorothy Ruebel
05:32 25 May 21
I highly recommend Mr Phalen. He and his staff did a great job! I could not have won my case without them.
Luke EmmotLuke Emmot
14:42 18 Dec 20
I was hurt at work and Mr Phalen took my case on and worked on it for over a year and was able to successfully get me a settlement check for my injuries. Hire him if you’re ever injured on the job!
Kelli StringfieldKelli Stringfield
21:06 01 Jul 19
If you need an excellent attorney around the Pittsburg area Bill Phalen is the guy to go to. Very knowledgeable and pleasant and the office staff is great. I wouldn't go to anyone else!
Levi DeWittLevi DeWitt
16:14 01 Apr 19
I've worked here as a student intern since August, 2018 and I must say that this has been the most enjoyable job I've had to date. Mr. Phalen and the gals working here are a pleasure to be around and work with. They are patient with me every time I'm slow to get the hang of a new task, they are relaxed and easy going but know how to get the job done well. They each put extra effort into all of the work they do for each and every client. Several times they have come in early or stayed at the office late to make sure that they got every done that they needed to prepare someone's case.The people in this office have been a part of this community for a lifetime and working with them has helped me feel as if I was a part of this great community as well.
Thomas HelmThomas Helm
16:52 27 Mar 19
Very Proud to call him my Attorney, very friendly staff, that always keeps me updated on my case and one phone call away to answer any questions. I have been using him for many, many years. I can't Thank him enough for what he has done and still doing for me and my family. But Thank you. Would highly recommend William Phalen.
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