Call Us
08000 224 224
Introduction to Manual Handling Accidents
What is a Manual Handling Accident?
Am I at risk from having a Manual Handling Injury?
Workers at risk from Manual Handling Accidents
Who is responsible for my safety at work?
Duties of employers and employees connected to Manual Handling
News Stories about Manual Handling Compensation Claims
Manual Handling Compensation Claims we have dealt with
Clients helped by Thompsons Solicitors with Manual Handling Compensation Claims
Examples of Manual Handing Compensation Claims we have dealt with
How to start a Manual Handling Compensation Claim
Manual Handling Compensation Claim Advice
Helpful Links
Links to other organisations for more information about Manual Handling
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (amended in 2002) are designed to protect employees from injuries caused by Manual Handling at work. Contrary to popular belief manual handling is not just lifting and carrying but also lowering, pushing and pulling.
According to records kept by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), more than a third of all accidents reported to them which result in the injured person being absent from work for more than 3 days are related to manual handling at work.
The most common injury sustained by people carrying out manual handling at work is a back injury, although injuries to arms and feet are also fairly common.
If you are injured at work in this way through no fault of your own, you may be able to make a manual handling compensation claim.
Regardless of where you work, you could be at risk of having a manual handling accident. It is not just workers employed at building sites, farms, factories and warehouses who are at risk, you can also be injured as a result of a manual handling accident if you work in a shop, an office, a hospital or as a delivery driver.
In just about every working environment there will be a risk of injury from manual handling.
If you are unfortunate enough to suffer an accident and injury at work, which was not your fault, you may be able to make a personal injury claim for compensation.
Employers and employees are both responsible for health and safety in the workplace. With regards to manual handling:
If you are injured at work as a result of a manual handling accident, you may be able to make a manual handling compensation claim.
In the past we have published news stories on our website about manual handling compensation claims we have dealt with. Follow the links below to read a selection or visit our News Desk to read all of our news stories.
6th May 2008 - Back Injury sparks UNISON call for better training as Suffolk Care Trust found negligent
4th April 2008 - Carlisle stores worker wins compensation after MoD ignored her injury
18th April 2007 - Social worker receives £90,000 damages from Worcestershire County Council following accident in a residential home
27 February 2006 - Youth centre worker wins £33,750 for bouncy castle back injury
If you have suffered an injury after being involved in a manual handling accident at work, you may be able to make a manual handling compensation claim.
Manually Operated Hoist caused injury
Our client was a Nurse who had been employed by the same hospital for a number of years and worked on a ward which cared primarily for elderly patients.
The patients were highly dependant and as the job entailed a lot of lifting, hoists were provided.
Unfortunately, the hoist in the bathroom area was manual meaning that once the patient had been assisted into the hoist the handle had to be turned manually to raise and lower the hoist which was a very strenuous task. Once the hoist had been raised it then needed to be physically manoeuvred into the correct position which was also a very heavy manual task.
The client had received no training on how to use this particular hoist and it was not covered in the Moving and Handling Courses she attended.
She injured her neck and shoulder badly and required surgery. With help from Thompsons' specialist personal injury solicitors she was awarded £22,000 Manual Handling Compensation.
If you have suffered an injury after being involved in a manual handling accident at work, you may be able to make a manual handling compensation claim.
Nursery Nurse injured after lifting child
Ms Joy was a nursery nurse employed at a school for deaf children. During her employment a pupil was admitted to the school who was not only deaf but also severely physically disabled meaning that she could not sit or stand by herself.
Ms Joy had not been given any training on how to lift and carry disabled children as all of the other pupils were able-bodied. There were also no hoists or lifts provided in the nursery; therefore Ms Joy had to lift and carry the pupil for a large part of the day.
Whilst lifting the pupil she injured the left side of her neck and shoulder and decided to make a claim for compensation against her employers. With help from Thompsons Solicitors, Ms Joy received £15,000 compensation.
An extract from her thank you letter read "In response to your letter I would like to thank you for all the hard work you did on my behalf ... I was kept informed of developments and any queries / worries I had were dealt with quickly and in a very friendly manner. I am very satisfied with the outcome and it enables me to move forward and enjoy my retirement. Thank you once again".
If you or anyone you know has suffered a personal injury at work after lifting a heavy object, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.
There are strict time limits in place to make any injury claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.
As with all personal injury compensation claims, you would need to prove that your manual handling injury was caused as a result of the negligence of another party (in this case your employer) and once you appoint a personal injury compensation solicitor, they will assist you in compiling your evidence and presenting it to the employers liability insurers.
Every personal injury compensation claim is very different and while some are settled within a matter of months, others can take years. Most cases are settled out of Court; however, some will need to progress this far.
Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for manual handling compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a manual handling claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online compensation claim forms.
Directgov - Information about all Health and Safety at Work, including Manual Handling
Health & Safety Executive (HSE) - Free Leaflets about Manual Handling from HSE
Trades Union Congress (TUC) - Information about Manual Handling in the Workplace