Repetitive Strain Injuries

Repetitive Strain Injury is also sometimes called Upper Limb Injury. Symptoms these injuries can gradually creep up on a person. Initially, the complaints might be minor and might disappear with rest but then can be more sustained and become more permanent. Generally, these injuries are seen in the neck shoulder area, hand, arm or back. Typical complains are pins and needles, loss of feeling and loss of strength in hands and loss of feeling.

Similar to other cases, it is necessary to show fault on the part of the employer or other party who you are suing. This means that you need to show that your employer should reasonably have foreseen that your Injury would result from the work practice in question.

There are a number of factors which are considered in a repetitive strain case such as: –

• The number of repetition per hour, minute etc.
• Angles/poise/position of hands, arms, head, neck, etc.
• The degree of pressure/strength to apply
• Nature of equipment.
• Whether breaks allowed at work and whether allowed to vary work and do different steps.
• Rest periods.