Repetitive Strain Injury Claims

A repetitive strain injury is a term used to describe the pain felt in muscles, nerves and tendons caused by carrying out repetitive daily work tasks. It is usually caused as a result of your work.

The type of work tasks that could cause a repetitive strain injury include repetitive typing, stamping, pushing, pulling, twisting or gripping, lifting, pounding, hammering, squeezing, reaching or twisting movements for long periods of time without adequate breaks.

Our personal injury specialists have over forty years of experience in dealing with repetitive strain injury claims. If your injury have been cause by someone else’s negligence you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the team for Free Consultation

Who is at risk?

The types of jobs where you are most at risk of developing a repetitive strain injury include, keyboard workers such as secretaries and administrative staff, typists, clerical and data processing workers, machine operators, hair dressers, massage therapists, carpenters and people using tools and equipment for hours without adequate rest breaks.

Common symptoms of repetitive strain injury

Repetitive Strain Injury usually affects parts of the upper body, particularly in the wrists and hands but can also affect elbows, forearms, the neck and shoulder. If you are carrying out the same repetitive tasks during the course of your working day, you may begin to develop the following symptoms:

• Pain or tenderness
• Stiffness
• A dull ache that will not subside
• Tingling or numbness
• Cramping

If these symptoms continue without treatment, you could develop a repetitive strain injury such as Carpal tunnel syndrome, Tendonitis, Tenosynovitis, Bursitis or Trigger finger.

If you believe you have developed, or are suffering with a repetitive strain injury, it is important that you stop the repetitive task immediately. Your symptoms must be reported to your employer as soon as possible as you have a responsibility to report the injury once you realise what is happening, record the pain in an accident book and pursue accurate diagnoses and treatment. You must also ask for a risk assessment to be carried out at work.

What can increase your Risk?

There are a number of factors that can increase your risk of developing repetitive strain injury. These include:

• Repetitive tasks
• Carrying out an activity for a long period of time without adequate rest breaks
• Doing an activity that involves force, such as pushing and pulling heavy objects
• Poor posture or activities that require you to work in awkward or tiring positions
• Working in a cold environment
• Using vibrating or defective equipment

If your work involves one or more of the factors listed above and you are feeling pain, stiffness, tingling or numbness then, it is important to speak to your employer and your GP as continued use of the injured area can lead to permanent disability.

Why choose Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors?

We have a dedicated team of specialist personal injury solicitors who can deal with you or your family to advise on the best approach to making a claim for compensation.

• Rehabilitation first

Rehabilitation and care is our primary focus. We recognise every injury is different and every individual is different so, the treatment and recommendations will be tailored to you and your symptoms.

• Award-winning team

We have got an award winning team of specialist personal injury solicitors. Latest award – the Winner of The Legal 500 London Firm of the Year 2019 in the category: Insurance for Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence.

• Leaders in the field

We are independently ranked leaders in the field of personal injury with a proven track record of high-value settlements.

How much compensation can I claim?

Compensation for a repetitive strain injury is broken into two parts

1. Injury (known as General damages)
2. Financial Losses (known as Special damages)

The compensation for the injury is based on the severity of it and how it affects your everyday life. The medico-legal reports will provide the details to assist with valuing your claim and will deal with the consequences of the accident and any long-term effects.

The compensation for the financial losses are split into expenses already incurred (past losses) and expenses expected to be incurred (future losses).

The most common past losses are usually loss of earnings, medication costs, private rehabilitation costs, travel expenses, damaged property and care and assistance provided by family members.

Future losses are also likely to be loss of earnings if the injury will prevent you from working again or in a limited capacity, pension loss, care, private rehabilitation treatment, medication and surgery costs. Depending on the nature and severity of the injury there may be a need for additional aids and adaptations to your home and car.

Your specialist personal injury solicitor will be able to guide you as to what can be claimed and how each loss can be proved as reasonable and properly recoverable in the claim for compensation.