Back Injury at Work Claim
If you have sustained a back injury at work, making a back injury claim can help you secure the compensation you deserve. Our solicitors have handled many cases of this type and have the skills and expertise required to help you secure the maximum compensation amount you deserve.
We understand the impact that an accident at work can have on your life, including your career prospects, which is why we will work tirelessly to help you every step of the way throughout your back injury at work compensation claim. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may need to make adjustments to your lifestyle while you recover, or even permanently. Making a claim for compensation can help you to afford adjustments to your home or any other adaptations you need to make, and help you to recover losses incurred while you were unable to work.
Speak to our knowledgeable and diligent solicitors today by calling 0345 872 6666, or by completing our online enquiry form to request a call back.
On This Page
- What Our Clients Say
- When Can I Claim Compensation for a Back Injury at Work?
- Am I Eligible to Make a Claim?
- Types of Back Injuries You Could Claim For
- How JMW Can Help You Make a Claim
- Meet Our Team
- How Much Compensation Can I Claim After a Back Injury at Work?
- How Is Compensation for a Back Injury at Work Claim Calculated?
- The Back Injury Claims Process
- Are There Time Limitations to Making a Back Injury at Work Claim?
- FAQs About Back Injury at Work Claims
What Our Clients Say
When Can I Claim Compensation for a Back Injury at Work?
You may be able to claim compensation for a back injury at work if the injury was caused by negligence on the part of your employer. Employers have a legal duty to ensure the workplace is safe and to minimise risks to employees. If they fail to do so - for example by not providing proper training, maintaining equipment, or addressing hazards - and this leads to your injury, you may have grounds for a claim.
Back injuries at work can result from various incidents, such as lifting heavy objects without proper support, repetitive strain from poor ergonomics, or slips and falls. They can occur in any work environment, from offices to construction sites. To make a claim, you need to establish that your injury directly resulted from your employer’s breach of duty. It is crucial to provide evidence that the injury occurred at work to strengthen your claim. Seeking prompt medical attention and documenting the incident thoroughly will strengthen your case.
If you believe your injury was caused by your employer’s negligence, it’s important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. A specialist solicitor can help you understand your rights and guide you through the claims process. At JMW, we are experienced in handling workplace injury claims and can assist in securing the compensation you deserve, including covering medical costs, lost earnings, and any required rehabilitation support.
Am I Eligible to Make a Claim?
To be eligible to make a back injury at work claim, you must have suffered a back injury as a result of your employer’s negligence. This can include injuries caused by lifting heavy objects, repetitive strain, slips, trips and falls, or poor posture. If you believe your employer failed to provide a safe working environment or adequate training, you may be eligible to claim compensation.
To determine your eligibility, you should consider the following factors:
- Did your employer fail to assess the risks associated with your job and take necessary precautions?
- Did your employer provide adequate training and equipment to prevent injuries?
- Did your employer fail to report hazards or incidents that could have contributed to your injury?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may be eligible to make a back injury at work claim. It’s important to seek legal advice to understand your rights and the next steps in the injury claims process.
Types of Back Injuries You Could Claim For
Back injuries can range from minor strains to severe spinal cord damage. Some common types of back injuries that you could claim for include:
- Herniated discs
- Bulging discs
- Spinal fractures
- Soft tissue injuries
- Chronic back pain
The severity of your injury will impact the amount of compensation you are eligible to receive. Minor back injuries may result in lower compensation amounts, while more severe injuries can result in higher payouts. Regardless of the severity, if your injury was caused by your employer’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation.
How JMW Can Help You Make a Claim
Our solicitors have a great deal of experience in handling such claims and will do our utmost to ensure you are able to secure compensation that meets all your needs following your injuries, while holding those responsible to account.
We will guide you throughout your case, offering expert support every step of the way. We understand that it may seem daunting to start legal proceedings, particularly when it involves your current or former employer, but we are here to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible.
Our team of solicitors has handled back injury at work cases where an employer has:
- Failed to provide proper training for tasks
- Provided a lack of supervision or support
- Failed to provide suitable protective equipment
- Failed to conduct regular risk assessments
If you have suffered a back injury or back pain as a result of a poor working environment or a negligent employer, you may be entitled to compensation for your injury. Compensation can help to cover any loss of earnings due to time spent out of work, rehabilitation fees and the general loss of quality of life you may have suffered as a result of your injury.
Meet Our Team
JMW’s team offers expert advice and support for individuals who have suffered a back injury at work, helping you navigate the legal process and secure the compensation you deserve.
How Much Compensation Can I Claim After a Back Injury At Work?
Back injuries can vary widely in severity. Some injuries may cause only mild discomfort that is quick to heal, but more serious cases can result in chronic symptoms or even paralysis. How much compensation you will receive will depend on the nature and extent of your injuries. It can also take into account loss of earnings if you’re unable to work if you’re injured, and any other financial losses you may incur as a result of your accident.
The figures below provide a rough guide of how much you might be able to claim for a work-related back injury, based on the Judicial College Injury Tables. For a more accurate calculation of how much you could be able to claim, based on the specifics of your case, get in touch with the team today. We can give you a precise estimate that takes into account all of the details about your injury and circumstances.
Tetraplegia or quadriplegia | £258,740 - £322,060 |
Paraplegia | £174,620 - £226,610 |
Temporary paraplegia | In the region of £39,330 |
Severe back injury with spinal cord damage | £72,260 - £128,320 |
Serious back injury causing significant permanent damage | £59,120 - £70,490 |
Back injury causing chronic permanent symptoms | £30,910 - £55,590 |
Back injury causing serious permanent symptoms | £22,130 - £30,910 |
Back injury causing permanent symptoms | £9,970 - £22,130 |
Back injury recovering in two-five years | £6,290 - £9,970 |
Back injury recovering in up to two years | £1,950 - £6,290 |
The award will compensate you for the pain and suffering caused by your injuries, and will also help to support you while you are recovering. Compensation can cover the cost of unexpected medical bills, rehabilitation and any required care from family and friends. In addition, compensation will cover any time you have taken off work due to your injury.
ACCIDENT COMPENSATION CALCULATOR
How much is your back injury at work claim worth?
How Is Compensation for a Back Injury at Work Claim Calculated?
Compensation for back injuries at work is calculated based on two main components: general damages and special damages. General damages account for the pain, suffering, and loss of amenity caused by the injury. This includes the physical impact of the injury, any emotional distress, and how it has affected your quality of life. The severity of your back injury, supported by medical evidence, plays a significant role in determining the amount awarded.
When making a personal injury claim, it is important to understand the legal protections afforded to you as an employee.
Special damages cover the financial losses and expenses resulting from your injury. This includes lost earnings, the cost of medical treatment, rehabilitation, and any adaptations you may need for your home or workplace. If your injury has affected your ability to work in the long term, compensation may also account for future loss of earnings and pension contributions.
The Back Injury Claims Process
The back injury claims process typically involves the following steps:
- Reporting the injury: You should report your injury to your employer as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours. This ensures there is an official record of the incident.
- Seeking medical attention: You should seek medical attention to document your injury and receive treatment. Medical records will be crucial evidence in your claim.
- Gathering evidence: Collect evidence to support your claim, including medical records, witness statements, and photographs of the incident. This will help establish the circumstances of your injury.
- Consulting a solicitor: Speak to a solicitor who specialises in personal injury claims to discuss your eligibility and the potential value of your claim. They can provide expert advice and guide you through the process.
- Submitting a claim: Your solicitor will submit a claim to your employer’s insurance company on your behalf, detailing the nature of your injury and the negligence involved.
- Negotiating a settlement: Your solicitor will negotiate a settlement with the insurance company to secure the maximum amount of compensation for your injury. This may involve several rounds of negotiation to ensure a fair outcome.
By following these steps and working with a knowledgeable solicitor, you can navigate the back injury claims process more effectively and increase your chances of a successful claim.
Are There Time Limitations to Making a Back Injury at Work Claim?
In the UK, you generally have three years from the date of your back injury to make a compensation claim. This time limit, known as the limitation period, is set under the Limitation Act 1980. If you do not begin your claim within this period, you may lose the right to seek compensation. Therefore, it is crucial to act promptly if you believe your injury resulted from your employer’s negligence.
There are some exceptions to the three-year rule. For example, if your back injury has caused symptoms that only became apparent over time, such as chronic back pain linked to poor workplace ergonomics, the three-year period may start from the date of knowledge - when you first realised your injury was work-related. Similarly, if the injured person is under 18, the limitation period does not begin until their 18th birthday.
FAQs About Back Injury at Work Claims
- What are the different conditions that can cause back pain at work?
Most people will be affected by back pain at one point or another. The most common type of back pain is in the lower back, which is sometimes referred to as lumbago. You can also be affected elsewhere, between the neck and the hips, for example.
There are numerous conditions that can lead to different types of back pain, some of which include:
- Slipped disc: this occurs when one of the discs in the spine presses on the nerves after being damaged
- Frozen shoulder: this refers to inflammation around the shoulder area and can cause both stiffness and pain
- Repetitive strain: this refers to pain felt in muscles, nerves and tendons caused by repetitive movement and overuse
- What are the causes of back pain at work?
There are many different potential causes of back injuries and back pain at work. They include:
- Lifting, pushing, pulling or dragging heavy loads
- Repetitive tasks, such as packing boxes
- Long-distance driving, particularly over rough ground
- Prolonged periods spent in one position
- Poor posture while sat at your desk
The list above is not exhaustive, and if your circumstances are different, we can still help you to claim compensation.
Talk to Us
If you are looking to claim compensation for a back injury at work, our specialist accidents at work personal injury team is here to help. To speak to a member of our team, call us on 0345 872 6666. Alternatively, fill in our online enquiry form and we will get back to you.