Repetitive stress injuries often don’t have a single dramatic incident. Instead, they develop over time as you:
- repeat the same hand motions (keyboards, scanners, tools)
- sustain gripping, lifting, or wrist extension
- work through short staffing and reduced break time
- drive long shifts and add extra strain from awkward posture
When a claim is treated like an afterthought—especially because the injury “came on gradually”—insurers may argue the condition is unrelated to work or that you waited too long to report it. In Washington, consistent documentation matters because it helps connect your medical findings to the period when your job demands were at their highest.


