CAS Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Study Guide

Cumulative trauma injuries refer to conditions that develop over time due to repeated exposure to certain risk factors in the workplace, rather than from a single incident or event. This definition captures the essence of how these injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis, arise. They are often the result of ongoing stress or strain on the body, typically stemming from repetitive motions or prolonged positioning, which gradually lead to injury.

This understanding distinguishes cumulative trauma injuries from other types of workplace injuries, such as those that occur due to a singular accident or hazardous event. While accidental slips or falls (as mentioned in one of the other choices) might lead to immediate, acute injuries, cumulative trauma injuries often manifest slowly and can be more challenging to identify in terms of their onset and the specific activities that contributed to their development. Additionally, the difficulty in documenting these types of injuries arises not from the nature of the injuries themselves but from the challenge of linking the injury specifically to workplace activities over time.

Thus, the best description fits the long-term exposure to risk, making option B the most accurate representation of cumulative trauma injuries in the context of workers' compensation.