Personal injury news

Offices warned to shape up to avoid need for RSI compensation claims

UK companies are being warned to pay closer attention to employee's health and safety, protecting them against repetitive strain injury which could lead to hefty personal injury compensation claims.

Action is being called for to provide support and training which can help prevent staff suffering repetitive strain injury. Professions that include a lot of computer work are especially under the spotlight following a successful compensation claim made by a Guardian freelance sub-editor last month.

Andrea Osborne was awarded damages after developing severe RSI that got progressively worse during her employment with the newspaper. Although regarded as a temporary employee by the Guardian, the court recognised her plea and awarded her £37,500.

There are currently 400,000 people in the UK suffering from repetitive strain injury like Andrea. It is thought that a more efficient RSI risk assessment could make employees' working experience more pleasurable and decrease the chances of substantial claims for personal injury compensation being made.

Sarah Porter, head of employment group at law firm Kemp Little says: 'Firms are expected to assess the way employees are sitting, the height of their seat, the angle of keyboard, and how often they get up to move around and advise them if they are at risk of developing RSI.'