FELA Attorneys

Railroad Worker Hazards: Repetitive Motion Disorders

Railroad workers are some of our country’s hardest workers. Long hours, repetitive motions, and tough working conditions all make the job even more strenuous on a worker’s body. More and more workers have begun to experience repetitive motion disorders (RMDs) after years of working on the railroads. Commonly RMDs affect the hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders. RMDs are a muscular condition where tissues have been overly strained or worn down over the course of performing years of repetitive motions while at work. RMDs generally have no outward signs of injury, so they can be difficult to detect. Some symptoms include pain, numbness, swelling, or redness. Occasionally these symptoms may occur in the neck, hips, knees, legs, and back.

Over time, RMDs may cause a great deal of damage to muscle tissue. The only way to completely prevent any RMD is to avoid the repetitive motions that cause you pain. If this is not an option and you must work, there are simple preventative measures that you can take to avoid RMDs if you are not already suffering from their effects. Frequent stretching of the muscles is a good way to reduce the effects of repetitive motion. Take a moment to stretch out your muscles every 30 minutes to prevent them from becoming overly strained. In some cases, pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs may be used to reduce pain. In other cases, physical therapy may be needed to relieve the stress on the muscles. If RMDs have progressed beyond the help of pain relievers and physical therapy, surgery may be needed to correct the damaged muscle tissue. If RMDs are not treated, they may lead to permanent injury or affected areas may lose the ability to function.

The life of a railroad worker is rough. If you have suffered from a RMD as a result of your working conditions, contact the FELA Lawyers of Williams Kherkher.

If you or a loved one has developed a serious health condition as a result of working on a railroad, contact the highly experienced FELA lawyers at Williams Kherkher. Our experienced team of attorneys has successfully represented various FELA cases and can guide you through the complex legal process of fighting for your rights as a railroad employee.