What are musculoskeletal diseases?
Musculoskeletal diseases is the collective term for diseases that can cause pain in muscles, bones, joints and associated tissues such as tendons and ligaments. These are extremely common and cover over 150 different conditions - including tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthirits and rheuatoid arthritis (RA) fibromyalgia. Between one in three and one in five people live with a painful and disabling musculoskeletal condition.
Musculoskeletal conditions typically cause pain in the muscles and joints and limitations in mobility. Early warning signs that you might be suffering from a musculoskeletal disease include recurring pain, stiff joints, swelling or dull aches. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms. it is important to speak to your doctor.
Could your job be increasing your risk?
Your risk of developing musculoskeletal diseases if affected by several factors, including your age, general health and family history of disease. However, certain activities can increase your risk. Activities which incease the strain on your musculoskeletal system, leading to wear and tear, can result in musculoskeletal disease. Risk factors include sitting in the same position at a computer every day, engaging in repetitive motions, lifting heavy weights, maintaining poor posture at work.
This means that for many of us, simply doing our jobs each day could be increasing our risk of developing a musculoskeletal disease. Those at particular risk include office workers who spend long periods of time at a desk. This lack of movement can cause weakening of the spine and lead to long-lasting conditions. Lower back pain is currently the single leading cause of disability globally. If your occupation does require you to spend extended periods at a desk, it is important to ensure your sitting position is as comfortable as possible - ensuring that your chair is comfortable and your computer screen is set at the correct level. It is also important to regularly move away from your desk so that your sitting position changes throughout the day.
Other workers who may be at increased risk include jobs which require heavy lifting - e.g. delivery drivers - and jobs which involve repetitive motions - e.g. hairdressers or supermarket checkout workers.
How can we help?
If you believe that you may be suffering from a musculoskeletal disease which was caused, or worsened, by your occupation, you may have a claim against your employer for compensation. It is important to act as quickly as possible as there are time limits which apply to making a claim and the sooner the action is sought, the easier it will be to show a link between the disease and your job.
To win a claim for compensation, it will be necessary to show that your employer had a legal duty to take reasonable care for your safety and that this duty of care was breached resulting in your condition or worsening of your condition.
Contact our personal injury lawyers today
If you are suffering from a condition, and think you may have a claim, please contact us on 0800 988 8082 or complete our online enquiry form and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
