Most consumers go through their days without realizing how often they encounter cashiers. Grabbing their morning coffee, they pay a cashier. Getting a bite for lunch, they pay a cashier. Filling a prescription, they pay a cashier. Buying groceries, they pay a cashier. The world turns on the service industry and cashiers are the front line of that industry.
Something else most people don’t realize is that cashiers’ jobs make them susceptible to several different medical conditions. Repetitive stress injuries (RSI) are especially debilitating for this job role. If you are a cashier who finds yourself suffering any of these issues, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation.
Workers’ comp will provide you the needed funding to cover things like medical bills, pay for braces and other medical devices and wages you miss while recovering. Speaking to an experienced attorney is the best way to get the ball rolling on your potential claim.
The cashier’s most common injuries
Repeatedly doing the same types of motions each day can lead to a multitude of debilitating conditions, including:
Carpal tunnel syndrome: This swelling of the wrist causes pain, tingling and even numbness in the hand. Scanning items and typing on a point of sale can easily cause this over time.
Cubital tunnel syndrome: Less known than carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel is a swelling of the nerve behind the elbow. It causes elbow pain, hand weakness and tingling or numbness in the fingers.
Epicondylitis: Also known as tennis elbow, this causes pain, swelling and tenderness of the inner elbow. It’s caused by overusing the wrist flexors, or the muscles that pull the hand toward the elbow.
Tendonitis: This extremely common condition is caused by overusing certain tendons and can be extremely painful. It most often manifests as knee, elbow or shoulder pain.
These are only a few of the most common types of repetitive stress injuries cashiers report. How you stand, reach for items, carry heavy loads and otherwise absorb strain can cause issues to surface in many other ways.
The reality of straining a muscle is that ignoring it will only make things worse. Look out for yourself and your well-being when you’re at work. If you are experiencing pain, notify your manager. If the situation does not improve, workers’ compensation may be the right avenue for you.