Triangle Player's Insurance Claim for Repetitive Strain Injury Denied Despite 'Genuinely Compelling' Medical Evidence

Auxiliary percussionist and triangle specialist Dennis Tremens has had his workers' compensation claim for a repetitive strain injury denied by the Northbrook Symphony's insurance provider, which determined that 'playing the triangle does not constitute physically demanding work' — a characterization Tremens has contested with what his physician described as 'a genuinely impressive dossier of medical evidence.' The injury, a stress fracture in the third metacarpal of Tremens' right hand, developed during the orchestra's Liszt festival, which programmed the Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major — a work famous for featuring the triangle as a quasi-solo instrument — on four consecutive programs. 'People think the triangle is a joke,' Tremens said, his right hand in a brace. 'Liszt didn't think it was a joke. He wrote 127 precisely timed strokes across four movements, many of which must cut through a full orchestral fortissimo. You're not gently tapping. You're striking a steel rod with a steel beater at specific dynamic levels, attack points, and dampening intervals for twenty minutes. Do that four times in two weeks and tell me about your metacarpals.' The insurance denial letter stated that 'the triangle is classified as a non-ergonomically challenging instrument' based on an assessment that Tremens suspects was 'performed by someone who has never played one.' His orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Carpal Tendon, submitted a supporting letter noting that 'the repetitive percussive impact of steel-on-steel contact at the striking velocities required by this repertoire is entirely consistent with the observed stress fracture pattern. This is a legitimate occupational injury.' The insurance company has requested an independent medical examination. Tremens has agreed, provided the examining physician 'plays the Liszt triangle part first and then tells me it's not demanding.' The claim remains under review. Tremens has been assigned to the bass drum in the interim, which he describes as 'at least people take the bass drum seriously.'