Repetitive Strain Injury
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) has been documented for many years, formally known as potter's arm or chicken pluckers wrist in the UK and as cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) in the USA.
In the UK the Department of Social Security has defined a number of Prescribed Industrial Diseases, for which an employee is entitled to receive compensation from the government if he has been exposed to a harmful environment and suffered an injury or disease as a consequence, but the amount of compensation is not large and there is an increasing tendency for an employee to bring a Civil Negligence Claim against their employer, accusing the employer of being negligent in allowing the circumstances to arise or continue.
The Health and Safety do not define repetitive strain injury in their in their literature and even go so far as to reject the term. Instead the refer to specific diagnostic categories such as:
If you believe that you may have a problem with RSI and would like to claim compensation for your injury, then you need to do the following straightaway:
Consult your doctor. Most doctors now accept that RSI is a genuine physical problem and do take it seriously. If your not satisfied with his or her response then see another doctor until you are satisfied.
Stop whatever activities are causing the pain. This is obviously something that is much easier to say than do, as often these activities form a major part of someone's working life. However, by trying to work through it, the problem will just get worse. RSI is very treatable in the early stages, but even a short delay in seeking rest and treatment can put back recovery by weeks, months or even years.
If you would like free advice on whether to claim for personal injury compensation for your RSI then call 0800 197 32 32 or complete our claim form.
