Have you suffered a neck, back, shoulder or any other type of injury from lifting heavy objects at work? If you have, you may be…
Claim for a manual handling injury at work
If you have suffered a back, neck, shoulder or other injury from lifting or carrying tasks at work, you could be entitled to make a manual handling claim.
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Manual Handling Claims
If you suffered an injury while performing manual handling tasks at work, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced manual handling claims solicitor can help you seek compensation for your pain, suffering, medical costs and other related losses.
Employers have a legal duty to ensure that manual handling is carried out safely and to provide adequate training and equipment to their workers to help prevent injury. If this duty is breached, an injured person may be entitled to make a manual handling claim.
Call 0800 470 0474 today or request a call back to find out within minutes if you may be entitled to compensation for a manual handling injury and how you can start your claim on a no win no fee basis.
Key points about manual handling claims
- Am I eligible to claim?
You may be able to claim if you were injured while lifting, carrying, or moving items at work without proper training or equipment. - Is my employer at fault?
Employers are legally required to minimise manual handling risks and provide adequate training and support. - What is the time limit?
You normally have 3 years from the date of the accident or injury diagnosis to start a claim. - How much could I get?
Compensation takes into account the type and severity of the injury, recovery time, and any lost income or career impact. - Will I have to pay legal fees?
Your solicitor will handle your claim on a no win, no fee basis – so if they don’t win your case, you won’t pay a solicitor’s fee.
If you would like to speak to a legal adviser about making a claim, call free on 0800 470 0474 or click here to request a call back.
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Table of Contents
What are manual handling injury claims?
A manual handling injury claim is a type of accident at work claim made by an employee who has been injured while performing manual handling tasks as part of their job.
Manual handling is the process of moving objects or materials by hand, including lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying. It is a common activity in many workplaces, and most workers will carry out some form of manual handling task during their employment, regardless of their occupation.
If these tasks are performed without adequate training or risk assessments, they can lead to musculoskeletal disorders, hernias and fractures. A claim for compensation would cover various damages arising from these injuries, such as:
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress.
- Cost of medical treatments.
- Lost wages during recovery.
Can I start a manual handling compensation claim?
Yes. You may be able to claim compensation for manual handling injuries that were due to your employer’s negligence. An experienced personal injury solicitor can assess your case within minutes and let you know whether you qualify to make a claim.
Before agreeing to provide legal representation, your solicitor will check whether:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- This duty was breached and caused a manual handling accident.
- You suffered an injury or injuries as a result of this within the last three years.
If you fulfil all these criteria, you may be able to make a manual handling injury claim against your employer.
Employer responsibilities for manual handling activities
Manual handling accidents result in a large number of work-related claims each year, many of which could be avoided through correct training and working practices.
To help enforce safe manual handling and prevent worker injuries, employers must meet the requirements set out in the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR) and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Under this legislation, employers must:
- Avoid hazardous manual handling tasks as far as reasonably practicable.
- Carry out risk assessments for tasks that cannot be avoided.
- If manual handling cannot be avoided, use lifting aids such as cranes or hoists where reasonably practicable.
- Consider the nature of the task, load, individual and environment to reduce the risk of injuries.
- Provide information and training on safe lifting techniques.
- Provide suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) whenever necessary.
When is an employer liable for compensation?
It is important to remember that an employer will not be liable for all injuries caused by manual handling, as some just cannot be avoided.
However, they could be liable to pay compensation in a lifting injury claim if an employee has suffered an injury as a result of the following:
- Failing to provide adequate training.
- Failing to assess risks associated with the work procedures.
- Failing to provide enough staff to perform the task safely.
- Failing to provide lifting aids or equipment to the workers.
Could I lose my job if I make a work accident claim?
Many individuals who suffer a manual handling injury are hesitant to pursue compensation from their employer. However, you should keep in mind that your employer should not treat you unfairly for making a personal injury claim against them.
It is your right as an employee to claim compensation if you have been injured due to manual handling or other lifting activities in the workplace. If you are treated unfairly because you have made a claim, you may be able to take further legal action against your employer.
Is there a time limit for beginning a manual handling accident claim?
Claims for manual handling accidents should be made within three years of an incident, or the case will become statute-barred under the Limitation Act 1980.
In cases where an injury develops over time, the three-year time limit begins to count down on the date of knowledge.
It is always a good idea to initiate a manual handling injury claim at the earliest opportunity. By doing so, any relevant details about your accident will be fresh in your mind, and your solicitor will be able to collate all the necessary evidence to support your claim.
Read more: What is the time limit to make a compensation claim?
How do I make a manual handling injury compensation claim?
Starting a claim for a manual handling injury usually involves several simple steps:
1. A free case assessment
You will receive a free consultation to assess whether your employer may have breached their legal duties and the strength of your claim.
2. Investigations and evidence
If you have a valid claim and want to proceed, you will be paired with a specialist accident at work solicitor who will investigate your case and help you gather supporting evidence, such as:
- Videos, photos or CCTV footage of the accident scene and your working conditions.
- Witness statements from co-workers or bystanders.
- Medical records showing the extent of your injuries and expected long-term effects.
- A copy of an accident report filed with your employer.
- Training records showing what instructions you received for the job.
- Evidence related to financial losses and expenses you incurred.
3. Submitting the claim
If you are eligible for compensation and have all the required evidence to start legal proceedings, your solicitor will contact your employer or their insurer and inform them of your allegations of negligence.
4. Negotiations or court proceedings
If the defendant admits liability, you can begin to negotiate a fair settlement for your pain and suffering. Otherwise, you may need to take legal action and argue your claim in court.
How much compensation will I get for my injury?
The amount of compensation you may be awarded for a manual handling accident will depend on the type and severity of the injuries sustained. This generally means that the more significant and longer-lasting the damage, the higher the compensation award is likely to be.
In addition to damages for the pain and suffering caused by your injury (general damages), you may also be entitled to claim for any financial losses which have resulted from your accident (special damages), such as:
- Loss of earnings and earning capacity.
- The cost of medical treatment and physiotherapy.
- Any adaptations to your home or vehicle
- The cost of help and assistance with daily activities.
Examples of compensation for manual handling injuries
Below are some examples of compensation amounts for pain and suffering, which are based on the guidelines suggested by the Judicial College:
| Injury Description | Compensation |
|---|---|
| Moderate back injuries, such as a prolapsed disc or simple fractures | £33,880 to £47,320 |
| Minor neck injuries, such as sprains or strains with recovery within two years | Up to £6,680 |
| Moderately severe arm injuries leading to long-lasting symptoms | £23,430 to £47,810 |
| Severe forms of hand-arm vibration syndrome that impact your ability to carry out daily activities | £38,610 to £46,900 |
| Leg injuries such as minor fractures or soft tissue damage with some degree of mobility issues | £15,320 to £46,780 |
| Minor ankle injuries, such as sprains or ligament damage, with full recovery within a year | Up to £11,730 |
| Severe foot injuries that may require amputation of one or both feet | £71,640 to £171,920 |
| Serious shoulder injuries, such as a fractured humerus or rotator cuff injury needing surgery | £15,580 to £23,430 |
To start a claim for manual handling at work or find out more about your compensation prospects, call 0800 470 0474 today to arrange a free consultation with a legal adviser.
Can I claim for manual handling accidents at work on a No Win No Fee basis?
Yes. The solicitors we work with provide a no win no fee service. That means you will not be asked to make any upfront payments to get legal representation, and you will not have to pay your solicitor’s fee if they cannot win your case.
If you win the claim, the solicitor’s costs will be covered by taking a percentage of your settlement. This percentage, known as a success fee, will be fully disclosed to you during your free initial consultation and cannot exceed 25% of your final compensation award.
Your solicitor will aim to make the entire claims process as straightforward and stress-free as possible. From your first consultation to the completion of your case, they will provide an efficient and transparent service, keeping you updated every step of the way.
Why do manual handling accidents occur in the workplace?
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), manual handling causes over a third of all workplace injuries. Manual handling accidents can occur in the workplace for a variety of reasons, including:
- Lack of training on how to carry out manual handling tasks safely.
- Poor workplace design, with crammed spaces and poorly organised work areas.
- Poor posture while lifting or carrying objects.
- Heavy or awkward loads that cannot be handled safely without lifting aids.
- Poor housekeeping, with hazards such as wet floors or poorly lit areas.
- Repetitive tasks that are carried out without regular breaks.
- Lack of equipment, such as lifting aids or trolleys.
Employers need to identify the potential risks of manual handling injuries and take steps to eliminate or minimise them. This can include providing training, using equipment such as trolleys or lifting aids, and ensuring that workers take regular breaks to avoid fatigue.
If you or a loved one suffered a manual handling injury at work due to a lack of adequate health and safety measures, you might be able to claim compensation.
Examples of manual handling injuries
Manual handling injuries in the workplace can range from mild to severe and affect various body parts. Some examples of injuries leading to a manual handling claim include:
Back injuries such as strains, sprains, and herniated discs
Back injuries at work often occur when lifting or carrying loads that place excessive strain on the back, especially for long periods. This can result in sprains, strains, chronic back pain, or slipped discs. Proper posture and lifting technique can reduce the risk of injury.
Shoulder injuries such as rotator cuff tears and dislocations
Poor posture or incorrect lifting techniques can excessively strain the shoulder muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This can lead to injuries such as rotator cuff tears, shoulder impingement syndrome, dislocations or tendonitis.
Neck injuries such as whiplash and strains
Neck injuries can result from moving heavy objects, awkward postures, repetitive movements, and holding the neck in a fixed position for long periods. Over time, this can damage the neck muscles and ligaments, leading to chronic pain and stiffness.
Arm and wrist injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome
Pulling or pushing heavy objects can cause strains, sprains, and other soft tissue injuries in the arm and wrist, including tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Using vibrating equipment can cause hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), resulting in numbness, tingling, and pain in the hands and arms.
Leg injuries such as strains and sprains
Repetitive bending, squatting, or kneeling can also lead to leg strains, sprains, or ligament damage. Finally, if you have to climb ladders or stairs while carrying loads, this can also increase the risk of leg injuries due to slips, trips, or falls, such as fractures and lacerations.
Foot and ankle injuries such as fractures and sprains
Poor lifting technique, including excessive twisting or turning, can damage the muscles and ligaments in your feet and ankles, leading to sprains, strains or tendinitis. Dropping heavy items on your feet can cause severe bruising, lacerations, fractures and crush injuries, possibly leading to amputations.
Why choose a solicitor to manage my manual handling claim?
While hiring a solicitor to handle your claim is not mandatory, having legal representation can increase your chances of success. A specialist personal injury solicitor will work with integrity and confidence to help you pursue the compensation you may be entitled to.
Furthermore, they usually offer a no win no fee service, so you will not be taking any risks by choosing a solicitor to handle your case. You will also receive the following benefits:
- Free initial consultation and legal advice with no obligation attached.
- Help and support at every step of the injury claims process.
- Support in gathering evidence and building a strong case.
- Regular updates about the progression of your case.
- An independent medical review to assess the full extent of your injuries.
- Local solicitors in locations throughout the UK.
To find out more about the service available, the process of making a manual handling claim, or to ask any questions you may have, call 0800 470 0474 or request a call back using our online claim form.
