Manual Handling Claims Solicitors - Scotland

Manual Handling Accidents

Manual Handling Accident Claims

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), manual handling causes over a third of all workplace injuries. Musculoskeletal disorders account for around 24% of all work-related ill health cases in Scotland, making them the second most common category after stress and anxiety.

Under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, your employer has a duty to ensure your safety by providing adequate training and reducing any hazardous tasks where possible.

Common Manual Handling Injuries

Injuries caused by manual handling can vary, but typically include:

• 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 injuries occur due to repeated motions or overuse of certain muscles, tendons, or nerves. They can affect various parts of the body, such as the hands, wrists, shoulders or neck.
• Muscle injuries: Manual handling incidents can cause strains, pulls, and tears. Muscle injuries can be painful and may require rest and physical therapy to heal properly.
• Ligament injuries: These include ligament sprains or tears, which can be extremely painful and may require a lengthy recovery period.
• Back injuries: Heavy lifting and awkward postures are among the leading causes of back injuries at work. In more serious injuries, these can result in spinal damage requiring surgery or long-term rehabilitation.
• Arm injuries and upper limb conditions: Repetitive or forceful tasks can cause conditions affecting the upper limbs, including tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tendonitis. These are especially common in roles involving heavy loads or prolonged manual tasks.

While some injuries can be minor, others may have lasting effects, resulting in a loss of earnings or a lifestyle change. In more severe cases, a workplace injury can affect your ability to work entirely, impact your relationships, and require long-term care.

Whether you have suffered a back strain or a more complex condition such as an eye injury, our personal injury solicitors can advise you on your options. We’ll help you pursue compensation to ease the financial burden on you and your family.

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 result from moving objects, especially when lifting and carrying them without proper training or safety equipment. Wet surfaces also increase the risk of slips and falls while moving objects.
• Pushing and pulling: These actions can also cause injuries without the correct equipment, training or assistance.
• Lowering objects: Can lead to workplace injuries, such as back injuries, particularly if the object is heavy or lowered from an awkward position.

These injuries can be sustained by employees working in warehouses, factories, on construction sites, in offices and during delivery services. With training and the proper equipment, many of these accidents are preventable. When employers fail to follow legal guidelines and meet their responsibilities, workers can be left dealing with avoidable injuries.

If you’ve suffered a manual handling injury at work, call us on 0131 555 7055, or complete an enquiry form to start your manual handling claim today.

Making a Claim

How Do I Make A Manual Handling Accident Claim?

At Watermans, we understand that making a compensation claim can seem daunting, especially when it involves your employer and place of work. However, that’s why we’re here to help you make workplace injury claims. Here’s a brief overview of the process:

• Get medical attention: This ensures your well-being and also provides medical evidence of the injury.
• Contact Watermans: Our accident at work solicitors offer straightforward legal advice to provide you with all the necessary information and guide you through the legal process.
• Gather immediate evidence: This can include photographs of the accident or of your injuries. Your solicitor will handle this for you.
• Report the injury: Inform your employer of the incident to ensure there’s an official record of the injury.
• Gather additional evidence: This can include eyewitness testimonies, documentation of unsafe work conditions and other relevant documents.
• Maintain a record of your expenses: Including lost earnings, medical bills, travel costs and other related expenses.
• Initiate the claims process: We manage the entire process and keep you informed throughout.

How Much Compensation? 

How Much Compensation Can I Claim For A Manual Handling Accident?

The injury compensation amount differs based on several factors, such as the severity of the injury, its impact on your daily life, and your financial losses. You can get an early indication of what your claim may be worth by using our personal injury claims calculator, though a full assessment by one of our solicitors will give you the clearest picture.

Factors include:

• Medical expenses: Compensation for these expenses protects the injured person from financial risk while receiving necessary care.
• Loss of earnings: Provides financial support during recovery and accounts for any long-term impact on your career prospects.
• Future expenses: Covers the costs of ongoing physical therapy, medication, or potential surgeries.
• Home modification and care expenses: This can include installing ramps, widening doorways, or modifying bathrooms.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: Compensation may be awarded for non-financial impacts, including pain and suffering.

Why Watermans?

Why Should I Choose Watermans To Pursue My Claim?

Watermans simplifies legal services so you can move forward in life. Our expert team of personal injury lawyers is committed to:

• Making the manual handling injury claims process as straightforward as possible.
• Taking the hassle from you.
• Fighting each case to secure the maximum level of compensation.
• Providing 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.

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
• Child and historical abuse

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

We’re also independently verified on Review Solicitors, holding a 4.9 rating from over 1,290 client reviews. This reflects the trust our clients place in us and our dedication to delivering results.