Repetitive strain injury (RSI) claims

What are the causes of RSI?

In medical terms, RSI is microscopic trauma caused by repetitively straining the muscles and joints. This repeated damage can lead to tendonitis that involves inflammation of the tendons. It can also cause tenosynovitis which is an inflammation of the synovial sleeve covering your muscles and tendons.

Activities that are causes of RSI include:

• Repetition of movement over a long period of time, often caused by accidents at work.
• Taking part in repetitive, strenuous, high-intensity activities without resting/ allowing muscles and joints to recover.
• Doing activities with an awkward posture for an extended length of time without rest.
• Vibration from the use of equipment such as drills, chain saws and heavy machinery.
• Office environments where employees use laptops and computers for long periods of time on a regular basis.

There's no ‘one-symptom-fits-all' when it comes to RSI - we understand that it affects people in different ways. Sometimes RSI can be mild, but there are instances when the symptoms can be severe. If left untreated, the symptoms can get worse and in some cases, become untreatable and life-changing.

When does RSI occur?

RSI inflammation affects the lining around tendons. It causes pain when you straighten or flex the joint but usually not when it's in a relaxed position. Quite often people are unable to say exactly when the condition began because RSI symptoms are usually incremental. This makes repetitive strain injury different from sudden damage to soft tissue after an accident.

Jobs that are hard on the fingers, hands, wrists, upper arms that may include a risk of developing repetitive strain injury include:

• Intense computer keyboard use (for instance data-entry)
• Factory assembly line work
• Heavy machine operation
• Surgery, nursing and dentistry
• Tailoring
• Professional cookery
• Professional driving
• Carpentry
• Road maintenance
• Sporting and equestrian athletics
• Professional music

Symptoms of RSI

It's easy to miss these symptoms as they often only occur when you're carrying out the same repeated movements that caused your RSI in the first place. It's not uncommon to experience these symptoms even after you stop, finish work or are resting.

Common symptoms include:

• Pain and cramp
• Swelling and throbbing
• Tingling and numbness
• Stiffness and tenderness

If you're experiencing any of the symptoms above and think you might have a repetitive strain injury, then it's important that you seek medical advice as soon as possible.

We also advise that you get in touch with us on if you believe your repetitive strain injury is the result of incorrect equipment at work or a lack of training. You'll speak to one of our friendly personal injury advisors who will be able to let you know whether they think you have a claim.

How do I prevent repetitive strain injury?

Most employers will naturally risk-assess your work area and work processes in line with Health and Safety regulations. If they haven't done so and you have any concerns, you can ask for one to be carried out.

Some simple tips for reducing the risk of repetitive strain injury:

• Maintain a good posture - even something as simple as sitting at a desk correctly and laying out the equipment you need can make a difference.
• Take regular breaks if your job includes repetitive tasks with your hands. Short, frequent breaks are better than a long break after an extended period of activity.

What are the types of repetitive strain injury treatment?

If you develop RSI, the first thing to do after seeing your GP is to ask your employer to help identify the cause of your symptoms. This is so they can help you alter the way you do the job. If your repetitive strain injury symptoms are serious, you may need to stop doing the task altogether.

It's important you visit your GP to log your symptoms and begin receiving repetitive strain injury treatment. Treatments include:

• A regular course of pain killers or anti inflammatories.
• They may also suggest using a hot or a cold pack or an elastic splint or similar type of support.
• Steroid injections mayreduce inflammation caused by specific variants of repetitive strain injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Nerve or tendon surgery is case-specific and will be for more serious incidences of
• Depending on the severity of your repetitive strain injury, your GP may also refer you to a physiotherapist who will be able to treat and advise you about strengthening and relaxing your muscles.
• Other types of professional therapy that can ease repetitive strain injury symptoms include osteopathy and yoga.
• Find out more about the NHS approach to repetitive strain injury treatment.

How is RSI diagnosed?

RSI usually becomes apparent when repetitive strain injury symptoms recede after you stop performing a particular task. Your GP will ask you about your symptoms. Swollen or otherwise inflamed tissue may mean you may have developed an RSI-related condition. These include:

• Bursitis - an inflamed and swollen fluid sac around a joint.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome - typically a trapped nerve.
• Dupuytren's contracture - tissue thickening in the hand that causes the fingers to contract towards the palm.
• Epicondylitis - this is inflammation where bone and tendon meet, often in the elbow and is more commonly known as ‘tennis elbow'.
• Rotator cuff syndrome - inflammation of the soft tissues in the shoulder.
• Tendonitis or tenosynovitis - respectively these are inflammation of a tendon or the sheath that covers the tendon, usually in the hand, wrist or forearm.
• Trigger finger - this is where a swollen tendon in the finger makes it difficult to straighten, as if firing a gun.
• Ganglion cyst - a sac of fluid that forms around a joint or tendon, often in the wrist or fingers.
• Raynaud's phenomenon - this is an interruption to the blood supply in the extremities when exposed to cold.
• Dystonia - commonly called ‘writer's cramp', this is pain caused by overuse of the fingers, hands or arms.‘

If your repetitive strain injury symptoms don't match these or other known types of RSI-related damage, then X-ray or blood tests will be used to check for conditions like osteoarthritis. If your medical professional is unable to diagnose your repetitive strain injury symptoms, then the condition is usually described as ‘non-specific upper limb pain syndrome'.

How much compensation could you claim for your RSI injury?

We understand that RSI can alter your life. We don't believe you should be left to foot the bill, especially if your condition was caused by someone else's negligence. For this reason, we fully consider the impacts your injury has had on you and your family.

Your compensation could help to cover:

• The daily, physical impact your injury is having on your work and personal activities.
• The psychological impact on your life.
• Any time you've had to take off work and the loss of earnings as a result.
• Any money you've had to spend on medication, treatment and recovery.
• Any impact your injury has had on your future career and career prospects.

We're proud to say that we treat each case on an individual basis. This means when you contact us you'll always speak to somebody who listens and offers tailored advice.

It also means that the amount of compensation you're owed depends on your particular situation. Unfortunately, for this reason we're unable to let you know how much compensation you could receive when you do call us.

However, you can get an estimated figure of how much compensation you might be entitled to by using our compensation calculator. Our calculator gives an approximate figure based on your answers to six questions. It also uses details of similar cases to estimate your compensation.

Can I be disciplined or dismissed for making an RSI injury claim against my employer?

Regardless of where you work and what your job role is, your employer has a duty of care to you. This includes warning you about the potential risks of RSI. It also includes letting you know of the preventative measures you can take.

We understand that you may be concerned about the financial impact a claim could have on your employer, but you don't have to worry. All employers are required to have employer's liability insurance - this covers any claims made against them.

Also, it's against the law for an employer to treat you differently because of your claim. This applies whether you're a full-time employee, part-time, self-employed contractor, sub-contractor or on a zero hours contract. If your employer has failed in their duty of care and you've developed RSI as a result, then you are entitled to full compensation.

Making a claim for repetitive strain injury cannot legally harm your relationship with your employer and this is protected by UK employment law.

• If your employer tries to dismiss you for making an RSI compensation claim, you may have a case for unfair dismissal.
• If they make your life at work so miserable that you resign, you may have a case for constructive dismissal.

We'll give you the free, independent and confidential advice you need to see if you may be eligible to make an RSI claim. There's no pressure and no rush.

Importantly, making a compensation claim for your injury, could shine a light on unsafe practices in your working environment. This could lead to your employer taking action to make you and your colleagues safer at work.

If you do have cause to make a claim and wish to go ahead, we'll guide you through those first steps and introduce you to one of our approved no win no fee solicitors. Call us now on to find out more.