Women's pounds 50,000 victory in RSI case

TENS of thousands of computer users throughout industry suffering from a particularly painful form of Repetitive Strain Injury stand to gain from a landmark judgment yesterday.

For the first time, the existence of "diffuse" RSI was recognised after a full legal hearing, contradicting a High Court ruling in 1993 which effectively declared that it was "all in the mind".

At the Mayor's and City of London Court, five former Midland bank workers, who suffered "considerable pain" in their arms, necks and shoulders, were awarded pounds 50,000 in compensation. Judge Byrt said in his judgment that the bank had been in breach of its duty of care to its employees. While yesterday's ruling was at county court level and does not constitute a precedent, other hearings will find it difficult to ignore.

During the six-week case, which ended earlier this year, the five women said they had suffered a series of upper-limb disorders after they were ordered to increase their work rate. Judge Byrt said the employees, who were based at the Midland's processing centre at Frimley, Surrey, had been suffering from a combination of pressure of work and insufficient breaks from keyboards. The judge awarded them pounds 7,000 each in general compensation and special compensation for loss of earnings. The Banking, Insurance and Finance Union, which backed the women's case, said the bank faced costs of pounds 500,000.

A spokesman for the bank said that management was disappointed with the decision and was considering an appeal.