A work injury may be the result of a single incident such as dropping
an object on your foot, or cutting your finger on a machine.
An
injury may also be a result of work activities over a period of time.
For example, a person whose job requires the lifting of heavy objects
over a period of time may develop back or neck pain due to repetitive
trauma on the job. Another example would be a person whose job requires
repetitive motion of the hands or wrists such as assembly work or
typing at a computer. This worker might develop carpal tunnel syndrome
or repetitive use syndrome of the hands or wrists, and this would also
be a work injury entitling a person to the same benefits as if it had
been a specific injury.
A work injury may also be the result
of an occupational disease or illness that the work place has produced.
An example would be a worker who develops asbestosis due to exposure to
asbestos products on the job.
An incident or activity on the
job which aggravates a previous injury or condition is also considered
a work injury. An example of this would be an employee who has had
prior back problems and then re-injures the back while lifting on the
job. That person is entitled to work injury benefits for the re-injury.
