5 years ago... Firms warned over repetitive strain lawsuits

16.07.99: Companies could face waves of litigation from computer users as repetitive strain injury (RSI) becomes a medically recognised condition, according to a report in medical journal, The Lancet.

A report in this month's edition offers further proof that RSI is a bona fide illness and could lead to a string of legal cases brought by employees suffering from the strain of using of equipment such as keyboards and mice.

Tom Jones, a spokesman for law firm Thompsons, which specialises in cases of personal injury, said: "If I were an IT director I'd be making sure, particularly when reorganising hardware systems and set-ups, that all health issues are covered."

16.07.04: Over the past years studies have come and gone which have claimed to prove and disprove the links between computer use and RSI.

In some quarters it is still seen as a trendy complaint for people already predisposed to whinging about the ills of modern life - as much in the mind as in the wrist. Similarly in an increasingly litigious society it is seen as another opportunity to squeeze money out of unjustified court cases. Certainly an increase in successful litigations will bring an increase in reported cases but whether this is down to opportunism or just a greater awareness of the issue is one for the cynics and the sufferers to discuss.

For others, however, it is recognised as a serious complaint and a potential career-ending malady in extreme cases.