Repetitive stress injuries (RSIs), also called cumulative-trauma or overuse injuries develop when day-in, day-out tasks strain the same body parts until tissue breaks down. These claims are common among assembly-line employees, warehouse staff, health-care workers, drivers, and office professionals who keyboard or mouse for long periods. Unlike a single accident, RSIs build gradually, yet they are compensable under Ohio law when the evidence shows the condition is caused by your job. If you think your symptoms may be work-related, the attorneys at the Justice Law Firm can evaluate your options; call 614-543-1320.
Are RSIs covered in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio recognizes that an injury may develop gradually from job duties and need not arise from a one-time event. That cumulative-trauma theory is distinct from an occupational-disease claim and can support allowance as a compensable “injury.”
Injury vs. Occupational Disease—and why the label matters
Many repetitive-use conditions can be pursued as an injury. In other cases, such as certain exposure-based or systemic conditions—filing as an occupational disease may be appropriate. The distinction affects filing deadlines.
- Injury claims: For dates of injury on or after September 29, 2017, written notice identifying the injured body part must be filed with BWC or the Industrial Commission within one year of the injury.
- Occupational-disease claims: For claims arising on or after September 28, 2021, you must file within one year after the disability date or within six months after diagnosis, whichever is later.
Choosing the correct theory is strategic and fact-specific. We evaluate your job duties, medical diagnoses, and dates carefully to protect your filing rights.
Common Types of Repetitive Stress Injuries
Common RSIs include carpal tunnel syndrome; cubital tunnel/ulnar neuropathy; wrist and hand tendinitis or tenosynovitis (including De Quervain’s); trigger finger; lateral or medial epicondylitis (tennis or golfer’s elbow); rotator-cuff tendinopathy or impingement; shoulder or hip bursitis; cervical or lumbar strain related to repetitive tasks; and nerve entrapments or overuse-related neuropathies in the upper or lower extremities.
What evidence wins an RSI claim?
RSI cases turn on clear medical causation and objective documentation:
- Diagnosis tied to work: Your physician should explain how specific repetitive tasks (e.g., forceful gripping, overhead reaching, keyboarding, tool vibration) caused the condition or materially contributed to it, with exam findings and diagnostic testing to support the diagnosis.
- Pre-existing conditions: Ohio allows compensation when a workplace injury substantially aggravates a pre-existing condition, but the aggravation must be shown by objective findings; subjective complaints alone are not enough.
- Residual/flow-through conditions: If overuse of another body part or medical treatment causes additional problems, those “flow-through” conditions may be allowed even if not listed in the original claim.
Have questions about medical proof or how to frame your claim? Speak with the Justice Law Firm at 614-543-1320 for a straightforward case review at no cost to you.
How do I file?
Most claims begin with a First Report of Injury, Occupational Disease or Death (FROI). The FROI may be submitted by you, your employer, your medical provider, or another interested party. In self-insured cases, the employer must handle certification promptly; if they dispute or fail to act, the matter is referred to the Industrial Commission for hearing.
Tip: File early. Injury claims are barred if not timely filed, but certain employer actions (like paying medical bills) can, in some circumstances, satisfy the notice requirement, an issue we evaluate on a case-by-case basis.
What benefits are available?
Depending on the medical evidence and work impact, injured workers may seek:
- Medical coverage for reasonable, related treatment managed through the MCO system or self-insured employer, supported by provider reports.
- Temporary total disability compensation when the allowed conditions prevent a return to the former position of employment (subject to medical certification and maximum medical improvement rules).
- Wage-loss compensation, permanent partial disability (PPD), and, where applicable, scheduled losses, depending on residual impairment and vocational impact.
If your initial allowance covers only a sprain/strain but later diagnostics reveal a tendon tear, disc herniation, or nerve entrapment, we can pursue an additional allowance so treatment and compensation reflect the true diagnosis.
Practical steps if you suspect an RSI
- Report symptoms promptly to your employer and request incident documentation, even if there was no single “accident.”
- Get a focused medical evaluation addressing work-related causation and objective findings.
- Document job duties (force, frequency, posture, vibration, duration) and any work modifications.
- File the FROI and track all deadlines discussed above.
- Preserve evidence (ergonomic assessments, tool specs, schedules, witness statements).
- Consult an attorney early. Framing an RSI correctly (injury vs. occupational disease), identifying additional-allowance needs, and meeting limitation periods can decide a case.
We represent injured workers across Ohio
Justice Law Firm builds RSI cases with the right medical proof, timely filings, and a plan for the full measure of benefits available under Ohio law. If you are experiencing persistent pain, numbness, weakness, or loss of function you believe is work-related, we are ready to help. Call 614-543-1320 to schedule a free consultation, or we invite you to complete our online contact form at any time. We’re here to help you every step of the way.