Jones Act Lawyer

Jones Act Hazard: Repetitive Strain Injuries

Sea workers are asked to complete a variety of tasks while on the job. In some cases, these tasks may require a sea worker to continuously repeat a particular motion for a long period of time. This type of repetitive motion can become very damaging to a sea worker’s muscles and tendons over time, resulting in a repetitive strain injury.

Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) describe a wide range of injuries that result from the repetitive overuse of certain muscles. The condition affects the body’s muscles, tendons, and nerves in areas such as the hands, arms, shoulders and back.

RSIs are caused when a group of muscles remain tense for a long period of time due to repetitive motions or even poor posture. The symptoms of a RSI include:

• Soreness
• Numbness or tingling
• Loss of feeling
• Loss of grip
• Pain or numbness when the muscles are relaxed

Be sure to take the appropriate number of breaks to rest your muscles while you are at work. Taking a short break every hour or two will allow your muscles to relax, preventing the cumulative damage of overused muscles that causes RSIs.

Under the Jones Act, employers are legally responsible for the safety of their employees. This requires employers to provide employees with adequate training, warning of the dangers involved with their job, safe working equipment, and a safe working environment.

Contact Us

If you are a sea worker who has suffered from a repetitive strain injury due to the negligence of your employer, contact an attorney immediately. A skilled attorney will be able to evaluate your case and provide you with the legal assistance needed to successfully navigate the complicated legal system. Contact the Jones Act Lawyers of Williams Kherkher at 800-220-9341 today to discuss your case and to learn more about your legal rights.