Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

Repetitive strain injuries are now commonly known as work related upper limb disorders (WRULD). They can come in many shapes and forms, including tendonitis, tenosynovitis, golfers and tennis elbow (epicondylitis), De Quervain’s tenosynivitis, trigger finger, hand arm vibration syndrome, vibration white finger, bursitis, sub-acromial impingement, ganglions, carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, diffuse RSI, writer’s cramp, gamekeeper’s thumb, Raynaud’s disease. These injuries can be caused by repetitive and often forceful movements of a particular part of the body. Often prolonged awkward or unnatural postures are involved. Basically the body is being used in a way that it was not naturally designed to. RSI or WRULDs can happen in a variety of jobs but in particular with the following:

Secretaries;
Frequent keyboard users;
Accounts clerks;
Operators of repetitive machinery;
Users of vibrating tools;
Musicians;
Journalists;
Bank counter staff;

Employers have duties to assess the risk from the work and then plan the work to prevent/reduce reasonable foreseeable risks of injury. These claims can be more difficult to prove than most personal injury claims and as well as a medical expert may need the assistance of an ergonomist. You are therefore well advised to contact a specialist firm like us who have a successful track record with repetitive strain injury claims.