What Is a Repetitive Strain Injury?

Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) result from damaged muscles, nerves and tendons. Sometimes called repetitive motion injuries, repetitive stress injuries or repetitive motion disorders, these repetitive movements at work can lead to overuse injuries.

Repetitive Injury Workers’ Comp: Prevent Strain Injuries at Work

Q: What Are the Symptoms of RSIs?

Some symptoms of a repetitive strain injury include: ● Pain ● Aching ● Stiffness ● Throbbing ● Tingling ● Weakness ● Cramps ● Numbness

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Key Takeaways

Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) develop over time from repeated motions or poor posture and are often covered by workers’ compensation when they’re caused by their job duties.
Common workplace RSIs include conditions like carpal tunnel, tendinitis, bursitis and rotator cuff injuries and may require medical care and time off to heal.
Employers can help prevent repetitive strain injuries by improving workplace ergonomics, training employees and encouraging early injury reporting.

How Repetitive Strain Injuries Differ From Sudden Workplace Injuries

Repetitive strain injuries in the office can develop over time due to work-related factors, like poor posture or repeated motions. When these injuries are caused by an employee’s regular work duties, they’re considered work-related and could be covered by workers’ compensation insurance.

For example, carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by repetitive motions in the wrists from typing and develops over time rather than from a single event. To help protect your employees, you’ll need repetitive injury workers’ comp insurance.

Learn more about the types of work-related injuries workers’ compensation covers and make sure your employees have proper ergonomics in the workplace.

What Are the Causes of RSIs?

When the muscles, nerves and tendons of the upper body are overused, the risk of RSI increases. Some of the known repetitive movements that can cause RSI include:

Stressing the same muscles through repetitive motions
Maintaining the same posture for long periods of time
Maintaining an abnormal posture for an extended period of time, such as holding your arms over your head
Repetitively lifting heavy objects
Being in poor physical condition or not exercising enough

What Are the Symptoms of RSIs?

Some symptoms of a repetitive strain injury include:

Pain
Aching
Stiffness
Throbbing
Tingling
Weakness
Cramps
Numbness

4 Common Examples of Repetitive Motion Injuries in the Workplace

	Definition	Example
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome	Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that happens when a nerve in the wrist becomes compressed. It often causes numbness, tingling or pain in the hand and fingers, especially after repetitive hand movements.	Employees who type all day are at risk of developing injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome from repeated motion. Your workers’ compensation coverage can help pay for the medical treatment your workers need to recover.
Tendinitis	Tendinitis is the inflammation of a tendon, which is the cord that attaches muscle to bone. It typically causes pain, tenderness and swelling, usually resulting from overuse, repetitive strain or a sudden injury. It’s often found in shoulders, elbows, wrists and knees.	At a manufacturing company, a long-time assembly line worker develops elbow pain that’s diagnosed as tendinitis, or tennis elbow, caused by years of repetitive work. Workers’ comp benefits can help cover medical expenses incurred while treating this injury.
Bursitis	Bursitis is when a bursa, a small, fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between bones, tendons and muscles, develops painful inflammation or swelling. This condition can be caused by overuse or repetitive injuries.	Your law firm employee develops bursitis due to years of poor desk posture and requires medical treatment. Workers’ compensation insurance can help cover the costs to treat these repetitive strains.
Rotator Cuff Syndrome	Rotator cuff syndrome is a painful shoulder condition caused by inflammation or damage to the muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. This condition often happens from repetitive overuse, a sudden injury or aging.	Your furniture store offers delivery services, and one of your employees injures their shoulder from lifting heavy furniture, resulting in a rotator cuff injury. Workers’ comp benefits can help cover medical costs, including treatment and physical therapy.

These examples show how everyday job duties that involve repeated motions, force or poor ergonomics can contribute to repetitive strain injuries. Understanding how RSIs develop and how to prevent them can help protect your employees’ health and your business.

How Can a Repetitive Strain Injury Be Prevented at Work?

One of the best ways to prevent a repetitive strain injury in the office is through ergonomics. Employers can take specific actions to promote ergonomics and help prevent RSI in their workplace, such as:

Train Employees on Proper Posture and Movement

While training employees, employers should emphasize that poor posture and positioning during the day can cause inflammation and injuries. Ergonomics can have anti-inflammatory effects and may help your employees avoid future injuries, surgeries or lifelong pain medications. This is especially true for employees who have been doing repetitive tasks for a long time.

Provide Ergonomic Tools and Equipment

Provide employees with the right ergonomic tools, like:

Chairs that support their back to avoid poor posture
Headsets so they don’t have to hold the phone for long calls
Footrests if a chair is too tall for them
Adjustable desks that fit them correctly
Computer monitors they can adjust to their eye level

Encourage Adoption of Ergonomic Changes

As you incorporate ergonomics into your workplace, you may encounter employees who resist change. For example, you may have an employee who has sat at the same desk for years and doesn’t want to move. Or maybe you have an employee who doesn’t want to use a headset. Remind employees that the more comfortable they are, the better they will feel in the long term.

Build a Culture of Healthy Work Habits

The ultimate goal should be to establish a culture of healthy work habits throughout your team. Your managers are company leaders who should serve as pioneers for adopting ergonomic changes in your workplace.

Encourage Early Reporting of Repetitive Strain Injuries

Early reporting of work-related injuries, like repetitive strain injuries, is often beneficial for both employers and employees. If an employee reports their injury early, they can address their injuries and receive support sooner rather than later. Earlier intervention can reduce the severity of the injury and long-term workplace impact.

Industries Most at Risk for RSI

Any activity that involves repeated motions can potentially lead to a repetitive strain injury. However, certain jobs carry a higher risk due to the nature of their work. Industries and professions often associated with repetitive tasks include:^1,2

Manufacturing positions, including packaging and assembly workers
Sewing positions, including seamstresses and tailors
Retail positions, including cashiers and shelf stockers
Health service workers, including lab workers and nurses
Entertainment workers, including dancers and musicians
Office workers, including those who type, file or use a computer regularly
Construction workers, including those who sand, lay bricks or are on computers frequently
Food preparation workers, including meat cutters or cake decorators
Transportation-related jobs, including bus drivers or taxi drivers

Can Workers’ Comp for Repetitive Stress Injuries Help Cover Claims?

Repetitive strain injuries develop gradually, and recovery may require medical care and time away from work to heal. Workers’ compensation coverage is intended to help employers support their employees during this recovery period while providing a structured process to manage the claim.

The process to file a workers’ compensation claim for injured workers with repetitive strains is the same as for any other injury. When an employee notices symptoms, they should report it to you and their doctor so you can file a repetitive injury workers’ comp claim with your insurance provider.

Learn More About Repetitive Injury Workers’ Comp Insurance

A workers’ compensation policy helps protect your employees from work-related injuries like repetitive strains. It also helps protect your business from the high costs often associated with those injuries. Having to pay out of pocket for an employee’s work-related injury or the cost of a workers’ comp attorney can be devastating for businesses, especially small businesses.

To avoid a potential financial setback and ensure your employees can receive workers’ compensation benefits, consider a repetitive motion injury workers’ compensation policy from The Hartford. Get a quote today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Repetitive Injury Workers' Comp

Are Repetitive Motion Injuries Covered by Workers’ Comp?

Yes, repetitive motion or repetitive strain injuries are generally covered by workers’ compensation insurance if the injury is work-related. For example, repetitive strain injuries covered under workers’ compensation include carpal tunnel syndrome from years of typing or tendonitis caused by repeated heavy lifting on the job. Coverage typically depends on a clear link between the repetitive motion at work and the injury, and requirements can vary by state.

How Do You Prove an RSI Is Work-Related?

An employee can prove a repetitive strain injury (RSI) is work-related by providing medical documentation that links the diagnosis to their specific job duties, along with their daily tasks, frequency and duration of those activities. Other supporting documentation can include job description, physician opinions, ergonomic evaluations and records showing when symptoms began and how they relate to work activities. An RSI is not something an employer or employee has to prove alone. Ultimately, a professional claims adjuster will work with all parties to determine if the injury is covered by workers’ compensation insurance.

What Qualifies as Repetitive Motion?

For workers’ compensation purposes, a repetitive motion qualifies as performing the same physical movements or tasks repeatedly over time as part of one’s job. These activities could include movements like typing, lifting, scanning or assembly work that gradually cause injury or strain to muscles, tendons or nerves. Repetitive strain injuries do not result from a single accident.

How Much Does Workers’ Comp Insurance Cost?

How To Get Workers’ Comp Insurance

Workers’ Compensation FAQs

This article provides general information, and should not be construed as specific legal, HR, financial, insurance, tax, medical or accounting advice. As with all matters of a legal or human resources nature, you should consult with your own legal counsel and human resources professionals. The Hartford shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special, consequential, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages in connection with the use by you or anyone of the information provided herein.

¹ CDC.gov, “Musculoskeletal Health Program,” viewed February 10, 2026.

² U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Resulting in Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs),” viewed February 10, 2026.

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Repetitive Injury Workers’ Comp: How To Prevent Strain Injuries at Work