According to the Health and Safety Executive, there were 480,000 workers who suffered from work-related musculoskeletal disorders in 2019/20 and of these 37% were back injuries.
If, as part of your day-to-day job, you lift heavy items, do repetitive activities or have prolonged periods of time in one position, you may be susceptible to suffering a back injury. Back injuries can happen regardless of the industry you work in – whether you are working in an office, on a production line or in a warehouse, on a construction site, or in a health and social care setting.
Whatever your line of work, your employer has a duty to keep you safe and well at work, and this includes taking measures to prevent you from injuring your back. If you develop discomfort and stiffness in the lower back, muscle spasms, or long-term mobility issues as a result of your working conditions, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.
Read this guide to find out more about back injuries at work and how to make a claim for compensation.
Back injury at work: What to do next
If you’ve injured your back at work, you should:
- Ensure the incident is logged in the accident book or reported (ideally in writing) to the relevant person
- Seek medical help – book an appointment with your GP or go to an Accident and Emergency unit
- Ask any witnesses of the accident to send you their details and to explain what they saw
- Even if your symptoms are minor, make sure to log what happened as an accident. Back injuries can flare up further down the line, and could be because of your workplace accident
All of these things can help you in a claim for compensation. But don’t worry if you haven’t followed all of the steps - you can still get expert injury advice from an experienced accident at work solicitor.
Frequently Asked Questions about Back Injury claims
Can I claim for a back injury at work?
If you believe your employer is responsible for your back injury, then you may be able to make a claim for compensation.
How to prove a back injury at work
Employees must prove that their employer failed to take reasonable steps to prevent or minimise the risk of a back injury.
Where possible, if you are complaining to your employer about, say, a lack of equipment or risk of injury, try to keep a written record of the complaint(s) as your employer’s failure to respond can be evidence of their negligence if someone else is subsequently injured.
After the injury, where possible, complete a workplace accident report form, take photos and ask for the details of any witnesses. Keep a record of any doctors visited and treatments received and keep receipts for any injury-related expenses.
How much are back injury compensation payouts worth?
Predicting an exact settlement figure is not possible as each case is individual, and the compensation awarded will depend on the severity of the injury and the wider impact on your life.
Our accident at work experts have experience in all manner of back injury claims and can guide you through the claims process to help secure the maximum amount of compensation for your injury.
How long will it take to resolve my claim?
Each case is unique and therefore defining a precise timeframe is not possible - some workplace injury claims are settled within a matter of months, but others can take years.
We will always try to resolve your case in the quickest possible time.
How much will it cost me to make a claim?
If you are a member of a trade union, you are entitled to free legal support provided by Thompsons Solicitors. If not, we recommend funding your claim with a no win no fee agreement; we will discuss all fees with you upfront.
Should I be worried about claiming against my employer?
It may seem easier to suffer in silence than claim against your employer, but if they have failed to ensure your safety, and as a result you have been injured, then you have a right to compensation for that injury and the financial consequences of it. Pursuing a claim, particularly against an employer who refuses to listen, will help prevent colleagues being injured in the same way in future.
Legally, employers are not allowed to dismiss you for making an accident at work claim against them. Similarly, if your employer gives you a hard time for making a claim or starts to make you feel uncomfortable, then there are legal remedies.
Why should I choose Thompsons Solicitors to pursue my claim?
We have dedicated and experienced solicitors based across the UK who will be assigned to act for you; since the firm was started in 1921, over 100 years ago, we have never represented employers or insurance companies, only the mistreated or injured, so you can rest assured that we are fully on your side.
Read how we secured David £32,000 in compensation who injured his lower back in a trip at work.
If you are reading this to start your claim following a back injury at work, contact us on 0800 0 224 224 or complete our free online Start a Claim form.