Claiming For a Repetitive Strain Injury

The number of claims for repetitive strain injury have risen considerably with increasing use of computers. This form of injury can be avoided if precautions are taken. It is the employer's responsibility to provide a safe working environment for its employees.Repetitive strain injuries can be quite complex in their nature and are not easy to claim for. For instance, it will be hard to distinguish between repetitive strain injury caused by work or at home, as it is common for most households to have computers nowadays. Using the computer at home could also have caused the injury.However, if you are sure that your injury was caused at work due to your employer's negligence, then you should make a claim. It is only in the employer's best interests to provide stress-saving items to staff members.What is repetitive strain injury?Repetitive strain injury can sometimes be referred to as Work Related Upper Limb Disorder. The most common symptoms sufferers experience can be stiffness, tingling, and swelling. These symptoms are normally associated with work processes that have caused repetitive strain in the upper limbs. It has been reported that around two thirds of office workers suffer from RSI, however are unaware that they can even make a claim.The employer should ensure that the employee takes regular breaks from using the keyboard as this is a very common cause for RSI. It is also important to adjust the PC monitor to the correct height and to have wrist rests available for the employee. Repetitive use of the mouse can also be the cause for RSI. The symptoms are often due to continuous muscle contraction caused by being in a fixed position for too long whilst the limbs are unsupported or supported in the wrong manner.If the employer fails to follow these procedures and the employee ends up developing RSI due to prolonged keyboard and mouse use, it may be possible for the employee to make a RSI claim. The severity of the symptoms will usually determine how much compensation the sufferer can claim for. In order to ensure that you gain the best compensation possible, it is advisable that you get into contact with a solicitor that will be able to advise you on your next best possible steps.With laptops getting smaller all the time, many of us have gotten used to working on the move. Nowadays you can use a blackberry or a laptop on your way home on the train or bus. Nevertheless there are risks involved in such prolonged use of these devices. In fact the chances of obtaining RSI are higher with these gadgets due to the smaller and closer-situated buttons. The effects of RSI could be more serious in comparison to a normal working environment as you cannot control your surroundings when you are travelling on the bus or train.