With the Wimbledon Finals looming this weekend, there'll be more than a few people sat in the stands who have experienced the most famous Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) of all, Tennis Elbow. "Calais Shoulder" on the other hand, is something few if any had heard of until it made headline news last month.
An increase in people sitting in front on computers, repeating the same narrow set of movements over and over again, has led to an increase in people suffering from RSI. Figures from the Health and Safety Executive show an increase of 52,000 cases of musculo-skeletal disorders (which include RSI) from 2001/2 to 2003/4. Taking the total of British workers suffering from MSD to 448,000.
Repetitive Strain Injury is an umbrella term which covers a large group of musculoskeletal disorders, including: carpal tunnel syndrome (CPT), frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, tendonitis,trigger finger,epicondylitis, De Quervain’s Syndrome (or tenosynovitis), rotator cuff syndrome and writer’s cramp.
It’s estimated that 4.7 million working days in Great Britain were lost due to RSIs in 2003/04 and informal surveys suggest that a third of computer users may have the early signs of the condition.
RSI Through History
Despite its association with computer work RSI is not a new disease. In fact there are references to arm and hand problems brought on by repetitive tasks in medical literature as far back the 17th century, referred to 'milkmaids' arm.'
In 1912 US telegraph operators complained of an ailment known as 'telegraphists' cramp.' Other examples include 'washerwoman's thumb' and, a painful condition afflicting Morse Code operators during World War 1 called 'glass arm.'
(Note - All of these existed long before personal injury lawyers turned up so it’s not, as some people believe, an affliction made up to cash in!)
Calais Shoulder
The latest addition to the list is Calais Shoulder. This is where border staff have been injured after repeatedly having to lean out of poorly designed cubicle windows to check the passports of those sitting in motor vehicles. Two cases have been successful so far and awarded up to £20,000 in compensation. It’s opened the gateway for potentially hundreds of workers to make claims.
One of the women who won compensation is Pamela Smith. She lost her job as an immigration officer after being diagnosed with RSI, a torn bicep and a shoulder injury. These occurred after years of checking passports in Calais. Despite extensive surgery to repair her damaged muscles she still suffers from constant pain.
Ms Smith said, "It really takes its toll and has serious consequences. I am living proof. I don't want anyone else to go through what I have. If anyone is still working in the field and they are getting pain in their shoulder get it checked out now before it's too late."
It’s thought that as well as the repetitive nature of the task of checking passports, substandard booths have compounded the issues. As have managements failure to act when staff first raised concerns.
Lucy Moreton, general secretary of the Immigration Services Union (ISU), who represents the injured officers, said "The plight of officers working long hours in appalling conditions has been brought to management attention over and over again”.
The landmark legal victory means dozens of immigration officers from Kent could be in line for compensation for shoulder injuries from checking passports. But what does it mean in a wider sense?
As well as workers in port booths, this type of injury may also occur for toll-booth workers, drive-thru operatives or car park attendants. If employers fail to take this potential injury seriously who knows what we may be hearing of in the future; Seven Bridge Wrist, McDonalds Neck, NCP Arm…
Repetitive Strain Injury Compensation
If you’ve suffered an injury as a result of a repetitive task at work and feel your employer could have done more to prevent it, then you may be entitled to make a personal injury claim for compensation. Call us free on 0800 756 7774 and our friendly specialist advisors can talk to you about your situation and see if you have a valid compensation claim. There is no charge for this service and you are under no obligation to claim with us. Alternatively - complete the claim form on the right of this page and one of our advisers will contact you.
http://info.mayiclaim.co.uk/personal_injury_compensation_claim_news/bid/347995/Calais-Shoulder-Repetitive-Strain-Injury-100s-of-Workers-Claim
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