When your livelihood depends on your physical ability to perform repetitive tasks—typing, lifting, stocking, or operating machinery—pain and stiffness in your tendons can become more than an inconvenience. For many New York workers, tendonitis develops gradually over time, often turning routine movements into chronic pain. If your job caused or aggravated tendonitis, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits under New York law. Understanding how to document your injury and assert your rights can make a significant difference in both your recovery and financial security.
Understanding Work-Related Tendonitis
Tendonitis is the inflammation or irritation of a tendon, the fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones. It commonly affects the shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and heels—areas that endure repetitive motion or strain. In a work setting, tendonitis can result from daily repetitive tasks such as lifting boxes, using vibrating tools, or typing for hours at a computer.
While some workers associate tendonitis with athletes, it’s among the most frequent occupational musculoskeletal disorders recognized by the New York Workers’ Compensation Board. The key question in these cases is whether the injury arose “out of and in the course of employment,” as defined under New York Workers’ Compensation Law §10. This standard applies equally to acute injuries and those that develop over time through repetitive stress.
How New York Workers’ Compensation Covers Tendonitis
Workers’ compensation in New York provides medical care, wage replacement, and disability benefits to employees who suffer job-related injuries or occupational diseases. When it comes to tendonitis, workers may qualify for benefits if they can show that:
- Their tendonitis was caused or aggravated by their work duties.
- The condition prevents them from performing regular job functions.
- A medical professional supports the work-related cause through documentation and diagnosis.
In practice, this means that whether you’re a warehouse worker with shoulder tendonitis or a court stenographer with wrist inflammation, your condition may qualify for benefits as long as medical evidence links it to your employment.
Common Occupations at Risk for Tendonitis in New York
Certain industries have higher rates of repetitive strain injuries due to their nature of work. Employees most at risk include:
- Construction and maintenance workers who frequently use power tools or perform overhead lifting.
- Healthcare workers who repetitively move or lift patients.
- Office employees performing prolonged typing or mouse use.
- Warehouse and factory workers involved in repetitive lifting, pushing, or pulling motions.
- Delivery drivers, mechanics, and food service workers who engage in continuous gripping and twisting motions.
Over time, small tears and inflammation in tendons from these activities can lead to chronic pain or restricted motion—conditions that often require ongoing medical care or even surgery.
Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim for Tendonitis in NY
If you suspect that your tendonitis is related to your job, New York law provides a clear process to follow. Adhering to these steps strengthens your claim and helps ensure you receive benefits without unnecessary delay.
1. Report the Injury Promptly
You must notify your employer in writing within 30 days of discovering that your tendonitis is work-related. Delayed reporting can result in denial of benefits, as insurers may argue that your condition arose from non-work activities.
2. Seek Medical Treatment from an Authorized Provider
Only doctors authorized by the New York Workers’ Compensation Board can treat injured workers under the system. Your provider must document how your job duties contributed to your tendonitis.
3. File Form C-3
Submit the Employee Claim (Form C-3) with the Workers’ Compensation Board within two years of the injury or the date you realized it was job-related. Missing this deadline may forfeit your right to benefits.
4. Cooperate with Independent Medical Examinations (IME)
Your employer’s insurance carrier may request an IME. These exams can influence your benefits, so honesty and consistency about your symptoms are essential.
5. Retain an Experienced Workers’ Compensation Attorney
A skilled attorney can help gather medical records, handle appeals, and negotiate settlements—especially when insurers question whether your injury is truly work-related.
Workers' Comp Benefits Available for Work-Related Tendonitis
Under New York’s workers’ compensation system, eligible employees can receive several forms of financial and medical support. These may include:
- Medical coverage for all necessary and reasonable treatment related to your tendonitis.
- Temporary disability benefits to replace a portion of lost wages if you’re unable to work.
- Permanent partial disability benefits if your condition leads to lasting impairment.
- Vocational rehabilitation services if you cannot return to your previous occupation.
The amount of wage replacement depends on your average weekly wage (AWW) before the injury, typically calculated as two-thirds of your AWW multiplied by your percentage of disability. For example, a worker earning $900 per week with a 50% disability might receive about $300 weekly until medically cleared to resume work.
Proving Work-Related Tendonitis: Evidence and Challenges
One of the most contested aspects of these cases involves proving that the tendonitis is work-related rather than caused by outside activities. Insurers often argue that the condition stems from aging, hobbies, or pre-existing issues.
To establish a strong claim, your attorney may use:
- Detailed medical reports linking repetitive work tasks to your symptoms.
- Job descriptions showing repetitive or strenuous activity.
- Testimony from coworkers or supervisors confirming your job duties.
- Expert medical opinions differentiating your tendonitis from degenerative conditions.
In practice, your claim’s success often hinges on the clarity and consistency of this evidence. Even when the cause seems obvious to you, documentation must persuade the insurance carrier or administrative law judge reviewing your case.
Scenario: A Warehouse Worker’s Shoulder Tendonitis Claim
Consider a warehouse employee who lifts and stacks boxes for eight hours a day. Over several months, she begins experiencing sharp shoulder pain that worsens during lifting. Her doctor diagnoses rotator cuff tendonitis and notes that repetitive lifting is a likely cause.
She promptly reports the injury, files Form C-3, and begins physical therapy. However, the employer’s insurer disputes the claim, suggesting that her pain could be from “household chores.” Her attorney responds by presenting workplace logs showing her daily lifting requirements, medical records linking the injury to repetitive motion, and testimony from coworkers. Ultimately, the Workers’ Compensation Board awards her full benefits, covering therapy costs and partial wage loss during recovery.
This example highlights how detailed medical documentation and legal guidance can turn a disputed case into a successful claim.
New York's Statutory Protections and Legal Framework
New York’s workers’ compensation system is governed primarily by New York Workers’ Compensation Law §§10–15, which ensure that nearly all employers carry active insurance coverage. These statutes define what constitutes a compensable injury, establish deadlines for reporting and filing claims, and outline dispute resolution procedures.
For tendonitis claims, §10 is particularly relevant because it clarifies that employers are liable for injuries “arising out of and in the course of employment.” The law doesn’t require an accident or single event—gradual injuries from repetitive tasks are equally covered.
Understanding these provisions helps employees assert their rights with confidence and avoid pitfalls that insurers may exploit to deny benefits.
Common Mistakes That Can Undermine a Tendonitis Claim
Even valid claims can face setbacks if handled incorrectly. To strengthen your case, avoid these common pitfalls:
- Failing to report symptoms immediately, which may lead insurers to question the injury’s legitimacy.
- Ignoring medical advice or skipping follow-up appointments.
- Continuing to perform aggravating job duties without notifying your employer.
- Underestimating the value of legal representation during disputes or appeals.
Following through on documentation and medical compliance not only supports your recovery but also demonstrates the seriousness of your claim to insurers and adjudicators.
How a New York Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help
Navigating the workers’ compensation process while dealing with chronic pain can be overwhelming. A qualified New York workers’ comp attorney can help in several key ways:
- Gathering persuasive medical evidence to prove work causation.
- Handling insurer communications and negotiations.
- Representing you at hearings before the Workers’ Compensation Board.
- Securing the maximum available benefits and medical care.
In practice, legal representation can be the difference between prolonged delays and timely access to wage replacement and treatment.
Need Legal Help? Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law is One Phone Call Away
If you’re suffering from work-related tendonitis in New York, you don’t have to face the workers’ compensation process alone. The attorneys at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law understand how these repetitive motion injuries can disrupt your livelihood and quality of life. Our New York workers’ compensation lawyers help injured employees secure medical treatment, lost wage benefits, and long-term disability support when needed. Whether your employer disputes the cause of your tendonitis or your claim was denied, we can step in to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.