What is a cumulative trauma injury?
California law defines two kinds of work injuries: "specific" injuries from one identifiable event, and "cumulative" injuries from repeated, small physical stress over time. Labor Code § 3208.1 states cumulative trauma is "occupational disease or cumulative injury" caused by repetitive mentally or physically traumatic activities extending over a period of time, the combined effect of which causes any disability or need for medical treatment.
Think of years spent lifting boxes in a warehouse, kneeling and picking in the fields, standing over a hot line in a kitchen, or lifting and repositioning patients in home care. No single day caused the damage — but years of repeated strain wore down your spine, your knees, your shoulders, or your wrists until you couldn't ignore the pain anymore. That's a compensable injury under California workers' comp, even though you can't point to one incident report.
Common cumulative trauma injuries include degenerative disc disease, rotator cuff tears, carpal tunnel syndrome, knee osteoarthritis, hearing loss, and repetitive strain in the hands and wrists.
*This article is general information about California workers' compensation, not legal advice about your situation. Every case is different.*
Yazdchi Law, P.C. — Eman Yazdchi, responsible attorney. Office: Palmdale, California. Attorney advertising.