Manual handling injuries in the workplace are more common than you might think. A huge number of careers in the UK involve some level of handling, which puts many employees at risk on a daily basis. Employers should always take preventative measures to ensure employees aren’t at risk when carrying out their work tasks. They have a duty of care to prevent workplace manual handling accidents, so here’s more information on some of the most common injuries and how you might claim compensation if you suspect you’re a victim of negligence.
Manual handling injuries are by far the most common ones in the workplace, as they simply involve a worker using their body to manually move an object from one place to another. This could include pushing, pulling, lifting, operating machinery or conducting repetitive tasks. Manual handling injuries are most common in industries such as construction, retail and distribution. But what effect can they have on workers?
When someone suffers from a manual handling injury it can quickly take its toll physically, emotionally and financially. Most injuries leave a person unable to carry out their regular work which can leave them feeling isolated and worried about their financial security in the future.
Our solicitors at TBI Law are experts at handling workplace injury claims. Our team has seen numerous successful cases over the years. The team of experts offer support and advice to those seeking out compensation, so you will never feel alone during the process. Workplace injuries from manual handling are extremely common, so why not consider claiming compensation for your injuries?
Keep reading to find out more about some of the most common manual handling injuries, and how employer liability could be relevant to your future compensation claims.
Employers are liable for workplace hazards and unsafe environments that may lead to various lifting injuries. This is why it’s so important to provide thorough training and check for dangers in and around the workplace.
Some of the most common scenarios for manual handling injury causes include warehouses, construction sites, healthcare settings and offices. Workers in retail are also at high risk of developing manual handling injuries, and it’s usually due to poor techniques according to recent studies gathered by the Health and Safety Executive. All of these establishments carry varying levels of risks to employees from lifting injuries, to musculoskeletal risks, but every injury can cause significant impacts on the victims physical and emotional wellbeing.
Back injuries from manual handling are extremely common. These can include back strains, slipped discs and long-term spinal issues caused by incorrect manual handling techniques.
Shoulder and neck injuries can occur due to overreaching or lifting incorrectly at work. This is why strains and tears are fairly common where manual handling is required.
Injuries to wrists, elbows, and knees, as well as repetitive strain injuries at work would all be considered common manual handling injuries.
Workers may obtain cuts, bruises or fractures from incorrect handling of objects at work, or if procedures are not followed properly.
In scenarios where safe lifting techniques are not followed, it is very easy for hernias to occur. Heavy lifting and hernias are closely associated due to the muscles in the stomach becoming strained.
Musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace are chronic conditions that impact the muscles, bones and joints due to poor posture. These disorders can also be caused by repetitive strain, and can take a significant amount of time to develop.
There is clearly a significant risk that goes hand in hand with carrying large objects, including slips, trips and falls. Manually handling objects can obstruct your vision which means that indirect injuries can be caused as a result.
Back injuries from manual handling, and other strains, injuries and disorders are all too common amongst manual workers. Having an awareness of these common manual handling injuries will help you to prevent physical trauma and call out your employer if you notice any unsafe practice in your workplace.
Here are some of the most common causes of manual handling accidents in the workplace. Are any of these familiar to you?
There are numerous manual handling training requirements as outlined in the Health and Safety Act. Improper training leads to unsafe practices which is the primary cause of manual handling injuries at work.
Some examples of unsafe work environments include, cluttered spaces, slippery floors, or improper equipment. There is a high level of employer responsibility for manual handling injuries, especially if the work environment is deemed to be unsafe.
Employees who are overexerted or fatigued whilst they work are at risk of physical strain. It’s important for employers to recognise the dangers of exhaustion during manual labour jobs and allow adequate rest time to recover.
Risk assessment plays a very important role in preventing injuries. The absence of risk assessments often causes an increase in manual handling injuries, and constitutes negligence. This would be a useful piece of evidence to support your claim, if you suspect that your employer hasn’t carried out the proper risk assessments in your workplace.
Preventing manual handling injuries can be done by carrying out proper risk assessments for manual handling
Here’s how to prevent manual handling injuries in the future. All of these ideas should already be in place in your work environment, so flag with your employers if you feel any are missing:
Manual handling training needs to be provided for all employees, as well as refresher training every few months.
Relevant equipment such as mechanical aids, ergonomic equipment, trolleys or hoists should be used to reduce strain or injury risks to employees.
Regular risk assessments will identify any hazards and mitigate risks in the workplace. All relevant health and safety manual handling regulations should be adhered to.
Teamwork should always be promoted in your workplace, as well as safe lifting techniques to prevent manual handling injuries.
Employers have a duty of care towards their employees under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Some of the key responsibilities include:
-Providing a safe workplace
-Providing safe equipment
-Training staff properly
-Conducting risk assessments
TBI solicitors are experts in identifying employer negligence, so if you suspect your workplace has fallen foul of the legal guidelines, you could have a very strong case. Building your case alongside the team of experts at TBI will highlight any MHOR misconduct or negligence of health and safety laws.
Here are the simple steps to claim workplace injury compensation if you have experienced manual handling injuries:
Every employer should have an accident book for workplace injuries. As soon as your injury occurs make sure you log the incident in the book so that it is in the system for future reference. Include details of when and how an accident took place; give as much information as possible to support your claim.
2. Collect Evidence
Any supporting evidence you have should be collected, such as medical records, photographs, witness statements, and prior complaints about unsafe practices at work.
TBI Solicitors should be your first port of call when it comes to getting the claims process started. Our experienced team of personal injury solicitors can assess your claim and help you to obtain the highest level of compensation you deserve from your manual handling injuries.
You can expect to receive varying compensation amounts from your common manual handling injuries, here is an example of what you might expect:
When it comes to manual handling compensation claims each case will be looked into on an individual basis, so compensation payouts may vary according to the extent of your injuries and evidence collection.
It’s important to seek legal advice from a professional at TBI Law if your employer denies responsibility for your manual handling injury. Gather as much evidence as possible to support your claim, and speak to a medical professional who can help you to diagnose and prove the cause of your injury.
In the UK, there is usually a three year deadline when it comes to making a personal injury claim or manual handling injury claim. However, the court may consider some cases that are outside of this timeframe.
Yes, you can claim for your manual handling injury even if you didn’t immediately report it. Simply, obtain your medical records from your GP or hospital consultant so that it can be traced back to your place of work. Read our guide for more information on how to claim compensation for an injury at work.
Working with the solicitors at TBI Law is strictly no-win, no-fee, so there are no risks involved when you submit a manual handling injuries claim. Solicitor fees during your case will depend on the final outcome, and can be discussed in detail with your dedicated professional when you enquire.
It is so important to understand the severity of manual handling injuries and seek out compensation if you feel you’ve suffered as a result of your workplaces’ negligence. Our experienced team at TBI Solicitors are here to take the stress away from you. We can handle every aspect of your claim with ease. Suffering from a common manual handling injury is nothing to be ashamed of, in fact, you should pursue legal action so that it doesn’t happen in your workplace again.
Contact TBI Solicitors today for a free consultation on your workplace injury claim. Simply fill in the online contact form here, or call the friendly and supportive team on 01429 264101. Your workplace injury wasn’t your fault, so it’s time to put in a claim and obtain the compensation you deserve
