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Claims for Repetitive Strain injuries
What is a Repetitive Strain Injury?
The term Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) describes a range of painful conditions of the muscles, other soft tissues and tendons. It is caused primarily by the repetitive use of specific parts of the body and is usually related to a job or occupation. However, some leisure activities and some sports such as tennis, can also be a cause. And unlike a 'common' strain, RSI symptoms can persist much longer than those for a common strain.
Incidentally, RSI is sometimes called Work Related Upper Limb Disorder (WRULD)
What can cause a Repetitive Strain Injury?
The main cause is repetitive and frequent movements. For example, typing or using a computer mouse etc. Other factors will contribute, for example poor posture whilst making the movement, using excessive force whilst making the repetitive movement, and not having regular work breaks.
However, sometimes it is not clear why RSI develops. There is often no inflammation, swelling, or other obvious problems which show in the tendons or muscles and yet symptoms persist. Also, it's not clear why some people develop RSI and not others don't even though they're involved in the same repetitive tasks.
Some research suggests that stress at work can also contribute to RSI. It's possible that stress increases tension in the muscles and possibly affects how the body in general registers pain.
Which areas of the body can be affected by RSI?
In most cases we hear of, the symptoms develop in an arm, wrist or hand, as these parts of the body most commonly do repetitive tasks. But clearly symptoms depend on which parts of the body are involved in the repetitive actions.
In recent years it is computer operators, typists, people doing repetitive tasks in factories and even musicians who most likely to develop RSI. And people who do a lot of DIY around the house or people who do certain sports are liable to develop RSI.
What are the symptoms of repetitive strain injury?
The symptoms usually develop slowly. Symptoms can include: pain, tightness, throbbing, dull ache, numbness, or tingling in the area affected. To begin with the symptoms may only occur whilst you are doing the repetitive task but they may ease off when you rest. As time goes on the symptoms can become continuous, but are often worsened when the repetitive task is repeated. Symptoms can range from mild to severe.
Conditions associated with RSI
The more common conditions associated with RSI are carpal tunnel syndrome (pain and compression in the wrist), tendonitis (inflammation of a tendon) tenosynovitis (inflammation of a tendon sheath) and Vibration White Finger (VWF), although VWF can have a range of side effects due to the unique working conditions that cause it. There are also other conditions where the symptoms do not fit into a well defined syndrome.
Compensation Claims for RSI
RSI injury claims are very difficult to pursue. That is because there is sometimes a difference of opinion between medical experts relating to the diagnosis and cause of some of the RSI symptoms which people claim to experience as a result of repetitive work.
And sometimes it can be hard to prove how the RSI injury occurred. For example, it could be difficult to make an RSI compensation claim relating to the use of computers at work if the claimant also used a computer at home.
However, the most frequent cause of RSI injuries is the work environment. Experts believe that up to two thirds of office workers have suffered from RSI, yet many don't even realise that they could claim compensation for their injury.
Keyboard operations create the most common problems. The Health and Safety Executive recognise this and say that every employer should encourage employees to take regular breaks from their keyboard. Employers should also ensure that seating and computer screens are at the right height for comfortable operation, that wrist rests are available, that warnings are given to employees about RSI, and that employees know they should immediately notify their employers at the onset of any symptoms of repetitive strain injury.
If the employer fails to follow these procedures and an employee subsequently develops RSI symptoms from prolonged keyboard use, it may be possible to make a claim for their repetitive strain injury. After all it's the employer's responsibility to do all that is reasonably possible to reduce the possibility of RSI.
Some of the symptoms of RSI can become quite severe, resulting in inability to work. Because of this, repetitive strain injury compensation can be fairly substantial. Therefore, if you've had RSI or indeed still have RSI, whether it's from keyboard use or any other repetitive action at work, it's essential that you talk to a Claims Adviser about your prospect of making a successful claim for compensation, especially if you've had to take time off work and lost money as a result.
Complete our online enquiry form right now and a Claims Adviser from Claims Justice will phone you back very soon. You can then talk through how your repetitive strain injury arose and discuss your options. Then if it looks like your claim could be successful, the Claims Adviser (with your approval) can transfer your details to one of the specialist RSI claims solicitors on Claims Justice's panel. The solicitor can then take your case on and look after all the details and, if the case is successful, ensure that you receive 100% of the compensation.
Remember, Claims Justice has a "No Win No Fee" policy so you've nothing to lose by speaking to one of their Claims Advisers. So get going, submit your details right now!
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