When Repetition Leads to Real Injury

In today’s fast-paced workplaces, injuries aren’t always caused by one sudden accident. For many hardworking employees across Massachusetts, damage occurs gradually—through thousands of small, repeated motions over months or years. Typing, lifting, scanning, slicing, or using vibrating tools can slowly wear down tendons, nerves, and muscles until pain or weakness makes daily work impossible.

At Percy Law Group, PC, we understand how devastating these “invisible” injuries can be. In 2025, our experienced Massachusetts workers’ compensation attorneys continue to fight for employees suffering from repetitive stress injuries (RSIs)—conditions that deserve the same protection and compensation as any workplace accident.

What Is a Repetitive Stress Injury?

A repetitive stress injury (RSI) is any condition caused by performing the same physical motion over and over again. Common examples include:

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – from typing, scanning, or tool vibration
• Tendonitis and Epicondylitis – from repetitive wrist or elbow movement
• Rotator Cuff Tears or Shoulder Impingement – from overhead or lifting work
• Lower Back Strain – from bending, twisting, or extended standing
• Trigger Finger and Tenosynovitis – from gripping tools or instruments

Massachusetts law recognizes these conditions as work-related injuries when they arise out of and in the course of employment. That means you may be entitled to workers’ compensation—even without a single “accident.”

Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Repetitive Motion Injuries

If your claim is approved, Massachusetts workers’ compensation can provide several key benefits:

1. Medical Care

Your employer’s insurer must cover all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your injury—doctor visits, therapy, medications, imaging, surgery, and rehabilitation. You can begin medical care immediately; there’s no waiting period for treatment coverage.

2. Wage Replacement Benefits

If your injury forces you to miss work or reduce your hours, you may qualify for:

• Temporary Total Disability (TT) – 60% of your average weekly wage for up to 156 weeks.
• Temporary Partial Disability (TP) – up to 75% of your TT rate, for 260 weeks, if you can work in a reduced capacity.
• Permanent and Total Disability (PTD) – 66⅔% of your average weekly wage, potentially for life.

3. Specific Loss and Scarring Benefits

If surgery or permanent damage results in visible scarring or loss of function, Section 36 provides an additional one-time lump-sum payment based on the state average weekly wage and medical assessment of impairment.

Reporting and Filing Deadlines in Massachusetts

Timing is critical in RSI cases.

• Notify your employer immediately when symptoms interfere with your work.
• If you miss five or more days, your employer must file a Form 101 First Report of Injury with the Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA).
• You generally have four years from the date you knew (or should have known) your injury was work-related to file a claim under M.G.L. c. 152, §41.

Because repetitive injuries develop gradually, early reporting and consistent documentation are essential to protect your rights.

Proving a Repetitive Stress Injury Claim

Insurers often dispute repetitive injury claims, arguing they’re caused by age or hobbies, not work. At Percy Law Group, PC, we know how to overcome these defenses with evidence that connects your job duties directly to your condition:

1. Detailed Job Analysis: We document how your tasks—frequency, posture, force, and duration—contributed to your injury.
2. Medical Documentation: We work closely with physicians to provide strong medical causation opinions.
3. Consistent Recordkeeping: We ensure your medical records, workplace reports, and DIA filings all tell a unified story.
4. Witness and Expert Testimony: When needed, we bring in ergonomic specialists or occupational medicine experts to testify about causation.

Common Insurer Tactics—and How We Counter Them

Insurance companies often try to minimize or deny repetitive stress claims. Here’s how Percy Law Group, PC addresses these challenges:

• “Pre-existing Condition” Defense: We show that even if you had a prior issue, your work significantly worsened it—a standard recognized by Massachusetts law.
• “No Specific Accident” Argument: The DIA explicitly recognizes gradual, repetitive injuries as compensable.
• “Late Reporting” Claims: We rely on the discovery rule to demonstrate when you first understood the connection between your job and your injury.
• “Light Duty = No Pay” Misconception: We calculate lost earning capacity precisely and fight for your rightful partial disability payments.

Step-by-Step: What to Do If You Suspect a Repetitive Injury

1. Report your symptoms to your employer as soon as they appear.
2. Seek medical attention from a provider experienced in occupational health.
3. Document everything—dates, duties, symptoms, missed shifts, and pay changes.
4. Track your medical progress and keep copies of all notes and reports.
5. Contact Percy Law Group, PC before speaking with insurance adjusters. We handle communication, paperwork, and appeals so you can focus on healing.

How Weekly Checks Are Calculated

Your weekly benefit is based on your Average Weekly Wage (AWW)—usually your gross earnings during the 52 weeks before your injury.

• TT = 60% of AWW
• TP = up to 75% of TT
• PTD = 66⅔% of AWW

If you worked multiple jobs or earned overtime, it’s vital to include those wages to maximize your compensation. Percy Law Group, PC, ensures your AWW reflects your true earning capacity.

Lump-Sum Settlements for Repetitive Stress Injuries

In 2025, many Massachusetts workers choose to resolve their claims through lump-sum settlements. These agreements can provide immediate financial relief and closure. Before accepting a settlement, our attorneys assess:

• Future medical needs (especially surgeries or therapy)
• Permanent impairment ratings (§36 awards)
• Long-term wage loss potential
• Vocational limitations

We negotiate aggressively to ensure your lump sum reflects your full, lifetime impact—not just short-term wage loss.

Massachusetts Ergonomics and Prevention Insights (2025)

Employers are required to provide safe workplaces. As technology and ergonomics evolve in 2025, Massachusetts industries are investing more in adjustable workstations, anti-fatigue flooring, and automation. Still, when employers fail to adapt, workers bear the physical cost.

Percy Law Group, PC also advises local businesses on proactive ergonomic strategies—because preventing repetitive motion injuries is as important as compensating for them.

Frequently Asked Questions (2025)

Is carpal tunnel covered by workers’ comp?
Yes. If your job duties are a major cause of your carpal tunnel syndrome, you can claim full workers’ compensation benefits.

Do I need to miss five days before receiving pay?
Yes. Massachusetts law imposes a five-day waiting period for wage replacement. After 21 days, the insurer must pay retroactively for those first five days.

Can I choose my own doctor?
Yes, though your insurer may require an initial exam with its provider. You have the right to continue treatment with your chosen doctor.

What if my employer disputes the claim?
We’ll file a Form 110 Employee Claim and represent you before the DIA, from conciliation through hearing and appeal if necessary.

Why Choose Percy Law Group, PC for Your RSI Case in 2025

• Proven Experience: Decades of success representing Massachusetts workers in repetitive motion injury cases.
• Local Knowledge: Offices across Southeastern Massachusetts, with deep familiarity with area employers and industries.
• Aggressive Advocacy: We pursue every benefit you’re owed—medical, weekly wage, scarring (§36), and settlements.
• Client-Centered Service: Clear communication, compassionate counsel, and relentless representation from start to finish.

In every case, our mission remains the same: to fight for injured Massachusetts workers with the skill, experience, and compassion they deserve.

Take Action Today

If you’re struggling with pain, numbness, or weakness from repetitive work tasks, don’t ignore it—and don’t let the insurance company dismiss it.

Contact Percy Law Group, PC today. Our dedicated Massachusetts workers’ compensation attorneys will evaluate your claim, protect your rights, and help you secure the compensation you need to move forward in 2025 and beyond.

Call us today or fill out our online form to schedule your free consultation.