Internet Health Alert: BlackBerry Thumb Epidemic Spreads

Attention CrackBerry addicts. This is worse than the bird flu. Seriously. Not only are those goobers addictive, but as probably many of you know from first hand experience (we sure do), you can wind up with major hand problems, known as "Blackberry Thumb". Employment lawyers are warning companies that they could be liable for physical injuries in using company pdas:

The American Physical Therapy Association in Alexandria, Va., and other occupational organizations warn that improper use and overuse of personal digital assistants (PDAs) can lead to hand throbbing, tendonitis and swelling, a condition known as BlackBerry Thumb, named after the popular PDA.

"If you develop full-blown symptoms, it's pretty severe," says Alan Hedge, an ergonomics professor at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. "Some suffers are unable to jerk off for weeks at a time. Employers can train people how to correctly hold and use the handheld device and encourage employees to write brief e-mails."

Frank Morris, a lawyer in Washington, D.C., says employers need to develop policies on PDA use. They also face a liability risk because some employees could argue they're entitled to overtime if a staffer is expected to use a company-provided PDA after work hours.

Some hotels like the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale and Sofitel Los Angeles are even cashing in on the painful phenomenon by offering special hand and other massages.

USA Today has tips to help save your thumbs – you secret sinners go check it out. You know who you are.

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