If you have suffered a back injury at work, you’re far from the only one. These are amongst the most common workplace injuries in the UK, affecting workers in all kinds of workspaces and industries, from office workers to those on construction sites. Proving that a back injury happened due to work can be tough, however. Without the right evidence, you might struggle to get the compensation you deserve.
At TBI Solicitors, we know the difficulties claimants have navigating accidents at work cases. As such, we’ve put together this guide on how to prove a back injury at work, and how having the right legal support can greatly help your claim, getting you the compensation you need.
Acute Injuries: These injuries often occur suddenly and are caused by specific workplace incidents. This includes examples like:
Chronic Conditions: This type of back injury develops over time, usually as a result of repetitive strain or poor workplace ergonomics. This includes examples like:
Unlike acute injuries, chronic conditions are often not directly attributable to one incident but are the result of repeated unsafe practices or neglectful environments. As such, in these cases, it’s especially important to establish the link between the injury and the workplace setup.
2. Slips, Trips, and Falls: Wet floors, badly maintained surfaces, and poor lighting can lead to unsafe working environments, causing accidents that result in back injuries. Even a seemingly minor fall can do serious damage to the spine. Slips and trips claims are very common, given how often these occur.
3. Poor Ergonomics: In an office environment, the role of office furniture can have more of an impact on back health than you might think. Insufficient seating, poor posture, and a lack of ergonomic support can cause chronic back pain over time. Prolonged sitting can put undue stress on the spine and surrounding muscles.
It is the employer’s legal duty to provide a safe working environment. If they don’t, workers can suffer injuries that affect the rest of their lives. Whether you have suffered a minor injury at work, or major injury, it’s important to identify the elements in the workplace that may have played a role.
First, you should prioritise your health and safety, getting medical attention as soon as possible. Aside from getting the treatment that you need, this can also provide a detailed medical report that documents the nature and severity of your injury while establishing a link to the workplace incident that caused it.
Medical evidence substantiates your claim. Without it, insurers and employers can argue that your injury had no relation to your work. Records also provide a timeline, establishing when and how the injury occurred.
Tell your employer about the injury to make sure it’s recorded within the business. This formal record of the event makes sure that employers keep up with their legal obligation to update their accident book, which also serves as evidence for your claim.
If your employer does not have an accident book, then you should make a detailed account of the incident and send it to your employer via mail or post, maintaining a copy of any communication for your own records. A solicitor can help you ensure that you document the accident the right way.
If you can gather evidence, it can significantly help your claim. This can include things like:
While objective evidence is vital, maintaining your own record of how your injury affects you can help, too. Keep a daily record of your pain levels and physical limitations, the time you have had to take off work (and its financial impact), and any medical appointments and treatments received.
This provides the necessary insight into how your injury has affected you and demonstrates the need for compensation. Ensure your records are accurate and consistent.
With the steps above, you can build a robust case. This makes it even easier for our personal legal services team to prove your back injury and secure compensation.
Personal Injury Solicitors with experience in workplace injury claims know the complexities of proving liability. They can help you ensure that all evidence meets legal standards and is able to withstand scrutiny before and during the court case. They can also help you work with the nuances of the case, such as those instances where employer negligence might not be immediately apparent.
Our solicitors help you gather and present evidence, such as coordinating medical assessments to validate your claim, collecting and organising relevant documentation, and working with experts (like ergonomic specialists) to support your claims.
Solicitors also help advocate for you when negotiating with employers’ insurers, making sure you get fair compensation and protecting you from unfair settlements. As insurance companies often try to minimise payouts, solicitors know how to counter their tactics.
At TBI Solicitors, we aim to make the process as stress-free as possible, handling your claim and keeping you informed every step of the way.
General Damages compensate for non-financial losses, such as:
Special Damages cover the financial losses resulting from the injury, such as:
Special damages cover not just past costs, but also future costs of medical care and home modifications in the case of long-term disability.
Compensation amounts vary, most often based on the type of injury:
These figures are a basic guide. Your solicitor can help you assess what a fair settlement would be based on your unique circumstances.
At TBI, we have decades of experience and expertise in handling injury claims. With our client-focused approach, we put your needs first, while offering clear communication and compassionate support. What’s more, we’re backed by a no-win, no-fee guarantee. If you don’t win your case, you don’t have to pay. Start your claim today and let TBI Solicitors help you secure the compensation you deserve.
As experienced personal injury and work-based accident solicitors, we've heard tons of questions over the years. Below are the most common we find. Have you got a question we haven't covered? Get in touch with us, and a member of our legal team will get back to you.
Manual handling injuries occur when employees lift, carry, push, or pull objects without proper safety measures. These injuries include back strains, hernias, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), and repetitive strain injuries. They are especially common in physically demanding industries like construction, healthcare, and retail.
According to UK law, employers must take steps to reduce the risk of manual handling injuries through proper training, equipment, and risk assessments. If you’ve suffered an injury at work due to unsafe practices, you may be entitled to compensation.
The most common causes of manual handling injuries include:
Employers have a legal obligation to mitigate these risks. If you’ve experienced an injury due to any of these causes, seek legal advice to explore your options for compensation.
The compensation for manual handling injuries depends on the severity and impact of the injury:
Factors affecting compensation include:
To understand the value of your specific case, consult experienced solicitors like TBI Law, who specialise in manual handling claims.
If your employer denies responsibility for your manual handling injury, take these steps:
An experienced solicitor can assess your evidence and build a strong case. Even if your employer denies responsibility, the law prioritises worker safety, and you may still secure compensation through legal action.
Yes, you can still claim compensation even if you didn’t report your manual handling injury immediately. While timely reporting is ideal, your medical records and workplace conditions can help establish the link between your injury and your job.
Key steps:
In the UK, you generally have three years from the date of your injury to file a claim. If symptoms develop over time, the deadline starts from the date of diagnosis.
Exceptions:
Consult a solicitor as soon as possible to avoid missing deadlines and ensure your case is handled efficiently.
Industries with high risks for manual handling injuries include:
No matter the industry, employers are required to provide training, equipment, and safe practices to minimise risks.
To prove employer negligence in a manual handling claim, you need evidence that your employer failed to meet their legal obligations, such as:
Supporting evidence includes:
Yes, part-time and temporary workers have the same rights as full-time employees to a safe working environment. If you’ve suffered a manual handling injury due to employer negligence, you are eligible to make a claim, regardless of your contract type. Employers owe a duty of care to all workers, including temporary staff, under UK health and safety laws.
TBI Solicitors brings the experience in workplace injury claims that you need, and can offer expert guidance and compassionate support throughout the whole process. Get in touch with us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to work out the best course forward for you. Please contact one of our branches at Hartlepool, Sunderland, Barnard Castle, Stockton or Wynyard.
