A former employee at Victoria Beckham's fashion label is taking legal action after developing syndrome.
Kristina Kubiliene, who is represented by law firm Slater and Gordon, alleges that "working for long periods and with heavy fabrics" as well as "repetitive, awkward and sustained movements" allowed the syndrome to develop.
She is represented by industrial disease lawyer Natasha Moyeed, who said that Ms Kubiliene worked at the label between November 2011 and August 2019, and loved her job.
However, she added: "She was a pattern cutter and very good at this job, but because she was good she was tasked with working for long periods and with heavy fabrics. It was these awkward, repetitive and sustained movements which caused carpal tunnel syndrome to advance rapidly in hands and wrists.
"When I last saw her she could barely open her handbag. She is unable to work and has had to undergo surgery to have any kind of movement in her hands."
Ms Moyeed went on to describe the intricacies of Ms Kubiliene's role, which included lifting rolls of fabric weighing between 20 and 35 kg, and shrinking fabric with a "very heavy" industrial iron, taking between 30 and 60 minutes.
She also had to cut the fabric, "which requires significant pressure and accuracy holding with her left hand and cutting with her right."
This would take around three hours, depending on the garment in question.
Ms Moyeed continued: "Normally she worked 10am to 6pm, but twice a year for two weeks she attended New York Fashion Week.
"For a month beforehand her workload increased to up to 15 hours a day, seven days a week, without regular breaks or rest. During these times her hands and wrists were so sore she needed painkillers to work.
"Victoria Beckham Limited failed to put measures in place to look after Kristina and prevent this from happening."
Mirror Online has reached out to Victoria's representatives for comment.
When contacted, Slater and Gordon told that papers were served yesterday on Victoria Beckham Limited, meaning proceedings are at a very early stage.
Ms Moyeed added: "Last year Kristina had an operation to relieve her carpal tunnel syndrome. She couldn't work after the surgery. She left her role as she was unable to return to work.
"She is still unable to work and has such a weak grip she needs help around the home to do basic tasks.
"It is not know when, if ever, she will be able to return to a similar role, or any kind of employment.
"Kristina does not wish to make any further comment at this time."
