Nation's First Repetitive Stress Injury Case Against IBM Headed to Trial

Strategic Insights -

Nancy Urbanski, a former administrative assistant at Eagan High School, is taking International Business Machines (IBM) to court, claiming that she developed permanent Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI) due to prolonged use of their computer keyboard equipment. The lawsuit, filed in Dakota County District Court, accuses IBM and co-defendant Apple Computer Inc. of manufacturing equipment that is unreasonably dangerous and failing to provide proper instructions for use. This case marks the nation's first repetitive stress injury case against IBM to reach trial.

Key Takeaways:

  • The lawsuit alleges that IBM and Apple failed to provide proper warnings and instructions for the use of their computer keyboard equipment, leading to Urbanski's RSI injuries.
  • Urbanski is suing for over $50,000 in damages and is represented by attorney Michael Strom, who estimates that 15 to 25 cases are pending in Minnesota courts.
  • The case is the first of its kind against IBM and is expected to be presided over by Dakota County Judge Richard Spicer.
  • Urbanski developed RSI after working as an administrative assistant at Eagan High School, where she used IBM and Apple computer keyboard equipment for several years.
  • The use of computer equipment is a major factor in the development of RSI, which can result from prolonged and cumulative stresses such as typing on a keyboard or lifting heavy objects.
  • Kathleen Haiden, a clerical worker for the Hennepin County Department of Economic Assistance, filed a similar case against IBM in U.S. District Court in St. Paul last week.

Statistics:

  • Over $50,000 in damages are being sought by Nancy Urbanski in her lawsuit against IBM.
  • 15 to 25 cases related to RSI injuries are pending in Minnesota courts, according to attorney Michael Strom.
  • 44 lawsuits were previously consolidated in New York by a federal judge in 1992, affecting IBM, Apple, Atex, NCR Corp., and Wang.

Sources:

  • Dakota County District Court
  • Michael Strom, attorney for Nancy Urbanski
  • New York Consolidated Laws, 1992
  • Kathleen Haiden, clerical worker for the Hennepin County Department of Economic Assistance