Firms warned over repetitive strain lawsuits

Companies could face waves of litigation from computer users as repetitive strain industry (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 IT directors can't be held directly liable for cases of these kinds. But, he said, they could still face serious recrimination from their staff even though actual cases could only be brought against the company as a whole.

He warned: "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."

Jones advised all IT directors to work closely with the person responsible for health and safety internally and be very aware of how to prevent RSI in the workplace.