In Illinois workmans compensation cases you can be paid for what are called “repetitive trauma” accidents.
The repetitive trauma workers compensation cases can involve hands, arms or your back. The conditions include, among others, carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, rotator cuff tears, and degenerative disc disease.
In a repetitive trauma case you cannot identify a specific incident that led to the injury. The time of accident is usually the time of diagnosis, or the last date of work, or the point when a reasonable person would be aware of the problem.
In Illinois your work activities do not have to involve using a jack hammer, working continously on an assembly line, or heavy use of vibratory tools. It is enough to work a job that requires you to use your body in activities that place stress on your back, hands and arms. Such as computer work, lifting and turning patients, driving over rough roads or consistent bending and lifting.
As soon as you are aware of the repetitive trauma diagnosis or are experiencing pain, numbness or tingling you should file an application of claim.