Repetitive Strain Injury

These include:

• Tendonitis
• Tenosynovitis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Medial epicondylitis (“golfer’s elbow”)
• Radial epicondylitis (“tennis elbow”)
• Work Related Upper Limb Disorder ("WRULD")
• Trigger finger

Not all these will have been caused by your work as they can arise due to other factors or tasks outside the workplace. Medical assessment of the work tasks is necessary to prove they are the cause and sometimes an ergonomist is needed to advise about the method of work and whether the employers could have done things better.

Symptoms generally get worse while you are doing the task which causes the problem and improve with rest – over the weekend, while you are on holiday or signed off sick.

Some of these injuries are caused by overuse of a mouse or keyboard and poor posture in front of a PC or laptop. Others arise from repetitive tasks like grasping and tearing open plastic covers in magazine finishing or work on assembly lines and packing departments.

Employers have duties to provide a safe system of work, and workstations that are optimised to ensure you can work without suffering injury. They should make sure you take regular breaks from repetitive tasks and rotate tasks between workers.

We have successfully recovered compensation for clients suffering from work related repetitive strain injuries and our lawyers can help you get the compensation you need to get on with your life.