Manual Handling Claims — Scotland

Manual Handling Accidents

Manual handling accident claims

Manual handling causes over a third of all workplace injuries, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). It is the duty of your employer to provide adequate manual handling training and reduce any unnecessary manual handling opportunities, to ensure safety for you as the employee. However, this isn’t always the case.

If you have suffered a manual handling injury which wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to a compensation payment.

Common injuries from manual handling accidents

The types of injuries caused by manual handling can vary, but include joint or tissue damage, repetitive strain injury and injuries to muscles and ligaments.

• Joint or tissue damage – Manual handling tasks can cause damage to joints, such as the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles. These injuries can be painful, limiting mobility and requiring extensive recovery time.
• Repetitive strain injury (RSI) – RSI is a type of injury that occurs due to repeated motions or overuse of certain muscles, tendons, or nerves. In manual handling, RSI can affect various parts of the body, such as the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, neck, or back.
• Muscle injuries – Manual handling incidents can cause various muscle injuries, such as strains, pulls, and tears. Muscle injuries, such as sprained back injuries, can be painful and may require rest and physical therapy to heal properly.
• Ligament injuries – Manual handling accidents can cause ligament sprains or tears, which can be extremely painful and may require a lengthy recovery period.

Some injuries can be minor, but others may have lasting effects, resulting in a loss of earnings or a change in lifestyle for you. This is where Watermans can help by claiming financial compensation on your behalf to help ease the situation and reduce any burden on you or your loved ones.

Causes of manual handling accidents

Let’s take a closer look at some of the main manual handling risks that contribute to injuries at work:

• Moving objects – Manual handling injuries can be caused by moving objects, usually when lifting and carrying them, without proper training or safety equipment. Wet surfaces can also increase the risk of slips and falls while moving objects.
• Pushing and pulling – Manual handling injuries can also be sustained by pushing and pulling objects. This can occur when employees are required to move or lift heavy loads without the correct equipment, training or assistance.
• Lowering objects – Lowering objects can also cause an injury at work, such as a back injury, particularly if the object is heavy or the employee is required to lower it from an awkward position.

These injuries can be sustained by employees working in warehouses, factories, on construction sites, in offices and when working in delivery services. Employees can even suffer manual handling injuries from typing on a keyboard.

If you’ve suffered a manual handling injury at work due to your employer’s negligence, a Watermans solicitor is here to help you navigate the manual handling injury claim process and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Making a Claim

How do I make a manual handling accident claim?

At Watermans, we understand that making a manual handling injury compensation claim can seem daunting, especially when it involves your employer and place of work. However, that is why we are here to help you make manual handling at work claims.

We offer straightforward legal advice to provide you with all the necessary information and guide you through the legal process of claiming compensation for manual handling accidents.

If you have been injured within the last three years due to a manual handling accident, and it wasn’t your fault, then you are entitled to financial compensation to help with medical costs and loss of earnings throughout that period.

We will handle everything on your behalf and contact your employer to let them know you are seeking manual handling compensation for your injuries and any associated accident damages. We will keep you updated on the progress of your manual handling claim at all times. Plus, we operate on a no-win, no-fee basis, meaning if we don’t win, you don’t have to pay any solicitors fees.

Contact our expert personal injury solicitors today. We are here to help you get your life back on track.

How Much Compensation? 

How much compensation can I claim for a manual handling accident?

As with all personal injury claims, each potential compensation amount will differ. If you have sustained injuries because of a manual handling accident, you may be entitled to claim compensation for:

• Medical, rehabilitation and hospital expenses – Dangerous manual handling practices can lead to various injuries that may require medical treatment, like surgery and physical therapy. Compensation for these expenses protects the injured person from financial risk while receiving necessary care.
• Loss of earnings or earning capacity – Injuries sustained by manual handling at work may lead to time off work or even permanent disability. Compensation for loss of earnings or earning capacity provides financial support during recovery and accounts for any long-term impact on your career prospects.
• Any future expenses as a result of the injury – If you suffered an injury from manual handling, you may require ongoing medical attention. Compensation for future expenses may cover the costs of ongoing physical therapy, medication, or potential surgeries.
• Home modification and care expenses – Serious manual handling injuries, such as those sustained in lifting accidents at work, may require changes to your home environment to accommodate your needs. This can include installing ramps, widening doorways, or modifying bathrooms.
• Pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life – A manual handling injury can cause physical pain and emotional distress and limit your ability to participate in activities you once enjoyed. A manual handling accident compensation claim aims to acknowledge these non-economic losses.

Whatever your manual handling injury, you can be sure that Watermans will fight for the best possible outcome for you.

Try our manual handling accident and personal injury claims calculator for a rough estimate of your manual handling claim value.

Why Watermans?

Why should I choose Watermans to pursue my claim?

Watermans make legal services look and feel easy so people can move forward in life.

Our expert team of personal injury lawyers is committed to doing everything to make the manual handling injury claims process straightforward for our clients following an accident. We take the hassle from you and fight each case to secure the maximum level of compensation.

We also provide access to a range of additional services, such as physiotherapy and psychological treatment, to ensure you recover from your manual handling injuries as soon as possible and get your life back on track.

Expert Personal Injury Solicitors in Scotland

Our expertise in personal injury covers a wide range of areas, including accidents at work, public liability claims, road traffic accidents, fatal and serious personal injury claims and child and historical abuse cases.

We represent thousands of clients throughout Scotland each year, securing millions of pounds in compensation for our clients. Our specialist solicitors work on a no-win, no-fee basis, which means that if your manual handling claim is unsuccessful, you won’t end up out of pocket.