Manual Handling and Lifting Injuries
Manual Handling accidents account for nearly 30% of all accidents in the workplace despite clear and strict government regulation and guidelines. Manual handling and lifting accidents usually result in back injuries that account for nearly 1 in 5 work related injuries.
Claiming Compensation for Manual Handling or Lifting Accidents at Work
Manual Handling and Lifting Accident At Work and Employer Negligence
Manual Handling and Lifting Accident At Work: Your Questions Answered
Claiming Compensation for Manual Handling or Lifting Accidents at Work
In order to win a claim for compensation for injuries that resulted
from a manual handling accident, your solicitor will need to prove that
your employer has failed in his duty of care according to government
regulations.
If you were not given any training in how to lift or move objects,
if you know of equipment that could have helped you in moving the
object that was not provided to you by your employer, and as a result
you have injured yourself, you could have a good case to claim
compensation.
If you have suffered a personal injury at work as a result of handling heavy objects, contact us on 0800 037 1260 or leave us your details online for a more thorough assessment of your case.
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Manual Handling and Lifting Accident at Work and Employer Negligence
According to the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) statistics, 30% of work related accidents result from lifting, supporting, transporting or moving objects by hand i.e. without using any equipment. As this is the most common type of injury in the workplace, the government has passed a set of regulations (the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992) that employers must comply with that dictate that:
- Was manual handling really necessary? Manual handling or lifting should be avoided wherever it can.
- Was any equipment available to support manual handling or lifting? If equipment was provided were you properly trained to use it.
- Were you trained or given instructions on how to handle or lift goods?
Your solicitor will try and answer these and many other questions when collecting evidence to support your personal injury claim for compensation. If the answer to any of these questions is NO, then your solicitor will be able to prove that your employer was negligent in its Duty of Care.
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Manual Handling & Lifting Accident At Work: Your Questions Answered
If I claim against my employer, could I lose my job?
NO. The law is very clear on this point. Claiming compensation for an accident in the workplace is a right that you have and the reason why employers MUST have insurance by law. Receiving compensation is about making sure you will not be out of pocket or worse off as a result of the injuries you have sustained. It would be a criminal offence for your employer to discriminate against you if you are making a claim for compensation.
The accident was the fault of one of my colleagues, can I still claim compensation?
YES. It is your employer's responsibility to ensure that employees (both you and your colleagues) are competent and fully trained. If the accident was due to a colleague's fault, then you can still claim compensation for the injuries you have sustained.
My boss is saying the accident was my fault, can I still claim compensation?
YES. It is not your boss' job to evaluate whose fault it was, this is done by the courts or by negotiations between your solicitor and your employer's insurance company. Don't let anyone bully you out of claiming compensation. Your Accident Compensation 4 U assigned solicitor is better placed to assess whether you have a claim.
I have been off work since my accident. Can I get some money in the meantime?
YES. Review your employment contract for your employer's Contractual Sick Pay terms. You are entitled also to Statutory Sick Pay for a period of up to 28 weeks (6 months). Beyond these, the government provides a number of benefits you can claim.
I am receiving Statutory Sick Pay or Disability Benefits. Will this affect my claim for compensation?
YES and NO. Receiving benefits from the government or from your employer (Statutory or Contractual Sick Pay) does not stop you from pursuing a claim for compensation. It might however affect the amount of compensation you will receive if your claim is successful.
I am a member of a Trade Union. Does this make a difference?
YES and NO. If you are a member of a Trade Union, Accident Compensation 4 U can still help you claim compensation as you can choose the solicitor who will represent you. As a member of a Trade Union however, you could have more choice in how you will finance your claim for compensation.
I would like to make a claim. What should I do?
CONTACT US. Call our FREE ASSESSMENT helpline on 0800 037 1260, request a call back using the short form on the left or start your claim online. We will assess your claim for free and let you know whether we believe you can pursue a personal injury compensation claim.
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