Claiming for a lifting accident at workWhat is a lifting injury and what causes it. More than 25% of all reported accidents in the workplace are associated with "manual handling and lifting", and the most common injury sustained by people, and claimed for, while carrying out manual handling at work is a back injury, although injuries to arms and feet are also fairly common. Manual handling does not just lifting and carrying but also lowering, pushing and pulling. Workers in places such aswarehouses,building sites, farms andfactories,as well as occupations such asdelivery drivingare particularly at risk for lifting injuries and carrying injuries; however, anybody may sustain a manual handling injury. For example, a warehouse employee who regularly stacks heavy boxes might sustain a hernia injury lifting heavy boxes onto shelves. A care worker could sustain a neck injury while helping a person into or out of bed or the bath. A secretary might hurt their back lifting and carrying heavy files around an office. Duties of employers and employees The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 are designed to protect employees from injuries caused by manual handling at work. Employers and employees are both responsible for health and safety in the workplace. With regards to manual handling: Your employer should:
As an employee you should:
If you are injured as a result of a manual handling accident you can look to claim compensation. If you have suffered a manual handling accident at work it is probably as a result of your employer
If you are injured at work in this way through no fault of your own then your employer could be liable for your injuries and losses. As well as claiming for your injuries you can also look to claim for:
Lifting and carrying injuries can be the result of repeated strain over a period of time even where the injury itself occurs outside of work. If your back injury, neck injury or hernia or any other injury occurred while bending or lifting at home but the manual handling of heavy objects is part of your regular routine at work, you may still have a compensation claim however these cases are far more difficult to prove. In all cases you should use a solicitor who specialises in work injury claims and understands the strategies that insurers use to defend manual handling injury compensation claims and how to overcome them. By using a specialist you are far more likely to receive the amount of compensation that you deserve. |