How VWF can claim addicted gamers

Concerns about children who play console based computer games developing Vibration White Finger have been around since 2002. Although, as yet, there is no recorded instance of any affected child making a VWF claim, the possibility always remains that the issue might again raise its head.

Vibration White Finger was given official status as an industrial disease in 1985, paving the way for affected workers to make work injury compensation claims. This recognition was only possible because of years of committed campaigning by union and health and safety representatives. One can only imagine that it would have come as a surprise to them when, in 2002, doctors reported to the British Medical Journal that they had treated a 15-year-old who came to them displaying classic VWF symptoms .

The doctors wrote, "His hands became white and swollen when exposed to the cold, and subsequently red and painful on warming."

Fortunately, not all children who play computer games are at risk. This particular boy clocked up an astronomical number of hours of gameplay, usually around seven a day. With the crucial causal factor being his fondness for "rumble mode" joysticks that give the user vibration feedback, supposedly to enhance the realism of games.

Doctors were astounded that the boy's fondness for realism in the virtual world had induced symptoms more consistent with those exhibited by workers who use vibrating equipment such as pneumatic drills and chainsaws.

Experts from Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital have all advised that manufacturers of games and consoles provide statutory health warnings detailing the VWF risk posed to the players of computer games.

The fact that a child's predilection for computer games came so close to resulting in a VWF claim should be enough to ensure that the manufacturers of new home leisure technologies remain on their guard otherwise risk facing complex claims for product liability compensation.

Expert no win, no fee solicitors
Since official recognition of Vibration White Finger as an industrial disease in 1985, great strides have been made in protecting the UK workforce from the hazards of excessive vibration.

However, some employers continue to expose their employees to unsafe levels of vibration sometimes negligently so. YouClaim know this reality through the many VWF sufferers who still contact us today seeking to claim compensation.

Our no win, no fee solicitors are among the best in the UK at dealing with this kind of litigation and offer their services at absolutely no cost win or lose.

In addition, our 100% compensation promise means that we never take a cut.

If you would like to make a VWF claim with us, simply fill out an online claim form or call us now on 0800 10 757 95.