it's a problem that's been slowly building as the result of chronic repetitive stress. So no injury claim, and I think that rules out worker's comp (though if it doesn't, I'd love to know).
It doesn't, but I'll tell you: no employer (or more accurately, no employer's WC insurer) takes a Worker's Comp claim lying down. Repetitive stress injuries from repetitive work behaviors (e.g. programmers getting inflamed carpal tunnels, checkout cashiers getting tendonitis) are totally legitimate grounds for a WC claim, but proving it can be mighty hard. The insurer would likely fight it, attempting to argue -- in court if necessary -- that you had the injury previously, or since you engaged in behaviors which stressed the injury outside of work, they shouldn't be on the hook to pay.
no subject
It doesn't, but I'll tell you: no employer (or more accurately, no employer's WC insurer) takes a Worker's Comp claim lying down. Repetitive stress injuries from repetitive work behaviors (e.g. programmers getting inflamed carpal tunnels, checkout cashiers getting tendonitis) are totally legitimate grounds for a WC claim, but proving it can be mighty hard. The insurer would likely fight it, attempting to argue -- in court if necessary -- that you had the injury previously, or since you engaged in behaviors which stressed the injury outside of work, they shouldn't be on the hook to pay.