Many ramp agents and baggage handlers work tirelessly behind the scenes at Miami International Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, and airports throughout Florida, lifting, twisting, and stacking luggage day after day. But what happens when that constant strain turns into lasting pain? Have you ever heard someone say your shoulder injury or back pain is “just part of the job”?
Is Your Repetitive Stress Injury Being Dismissed?
Many Florida baggage handlers describe a similar experience — sore arms, aching backs, or numb hands after years of heavy lifting. Some find that their employer dismisses these conditions as normal wear and tear. But when discomfort turns into a repetitive stress injury that limits what you can do, is that just “part of the job”?
Unlike sudden accidents, repetitive stress injuries like tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff injuries, herniated discs, and chronic back strain build slowly over time. Has a doctor told you it’s degenerative or age-related? Many workers find that explanation frustrating, especially when they know that the pain started at work.
Some employers and insurance companies argue that gradual injuries aren’t work-related. Others suggest that because everyone experiences some aches and pains, your condition doesn’t qualify. How does it feel to hear that something clearly affecting your ability to work isn’t considered work-related?
Florida’s workers’ compensation law does recognize that injuries can be caused by repetitive motions and occupational stress. The question is did your work tasks cause your pain?
Common Repetitive Stress Injuries for Airport Workers
If you work as a baggage handler or ramp agent, you may experience:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome from repetitive gripping and lifting
- Rotator cuff tears and shoulder tendonitis from overhead lifting
- Herniated discs and chronic back pain from lifting heavy luggage
- Knee injuries from climbing stairs and kneeling
- Epicondylitis (tennis elbow) from repetitive arm movements
- Wrist and hand strain injuries
What Matters Most to You Right Now?
Is it returning to work without pain? Getting your medical expenses covered? Or simply being heard and having your injury taken seriously?
At Touby, Chait & Sicking, PL, we’ve worked with many ramp agents and baggage handlers throughout South Florida who have had their work injury claims denied. Some of them were initially told their conditions were not work-related, and understanding how years of lifting contribute to these injuries can make a difference.
Are you unsure what steps to take next? Is your injury “just part of the job”? Call (305) 257-9472 for a free consultation with experienced Florida workers’ compensation attorneys familiar with repetitive stress injury claims for someone who is familiar with these types of cases to understand your options under Florida law.
Proving Your Repetitive Stress Injury is Work-Related
To establish that your repetitive stress injury qualifies for workers’ compensation in Florida, you typically need to demonstrate:
- The specific work tasks that caused the injury (lifting, twisting, overhead reaching)
- Medical documentation linking your injury to your job duties
- The repetitive nature of your work over an extended period
- That your injury arose out of and in the course of your employment
An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help gather this evidence and build a strong case for your claim.
