potentiometric position sensor
There's no real problem unless you have a big malfunction... The max allowable current is 10 mA, so you have to stay below that. Simple - put a 500 Ohm (well, 470) in series with the potmeter 'arm' if you are working at 5V. That won't change the measurement and protects your potentiometer.

The uA values are so that the load of the measurement won't influence the linearity of the potentiometer, and ruin the precision while measuring.

The linear potentiometer is just a wirewound resistor, so it's fairly robust.