제 목 : Rspetitive-Strese Verdict Turne Heade
일 자 : 1997년 04월
제공처 : Safety & health
A former secretary received a $5.3million award from the manufacturer
of a computer keyboard she used at work that allegedly caused her carpal-
tunnel injuries.
The case's jury in December did not find that the equipment maker was
negligent in the design of the keyboard, but rather that it was negligent
in failing to place a warning on it.
The secretary had suffered extensive carpal-tunnel damage to both
wrists, as well as neck injuries and severe wasting of the muscles in her
upper arms. Two other plaintiffs in the case, a billing clerk and another
secretary each received about $300,000 for their injuries associated
with the use of keyboards.
The company, which disagreed with the verdict and plans to appeal,
says, "there is no scientific evidence that keyboards cause musculoskel-
etal disorders."
But the manufacturer had warned its own employees about use of the
keyboard, and that's what swayed the jury, the plaintiffs' attorney says.
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