Heavy and Repetitive Lifting and Carrying (also Pulling, Pushing, Supporting)

Repetitive Awkward Movements e.g. Twisting, Stretching and Bending

Repetitive Strain From Poor Posture, Workplace Ergonomics, Stress

Slips, Trips and Falls

Back strains usually involve pain and mobility difficulties. A person may have trouble sleeping, suffer muscles spasms, or related back conditions such as trapped nerves. The muscles in the lower back (paraspinal muscles) provide critical support to the spine, and also provide the upper body with its strength and mobility. An injured person may be rendered completely immobile following a back strain, and be unable to return to work for some time, especially if their job requires heavy or repetitive lifting. The ability to perform everyday physical activities may also be compromised, and a long-term back condition may involve months or years of pain and discomfort.

The British Chiropractic Association recently highlighted rapidly escalating incidence rates of repetitive back strain injuries among office workers. Most office work is carried out at workstations which are often not ergonomically designed for optimum posture, or otherwise not adjustable to the proper height for a particular worker. An awkward or slumped posture puts constant pressure on the muscles in the neck, back and shoulders. Physical and mental stress also increase the likelihood of back strains among office workers, due to the state of continual tension which stress places on the muscles.

Employers must ensure that all reasonable measures are taken to minimise the risk of employees suffering back strains in the workplace. Working practices and ergonomics must be regularly risk assessed. Lifting and manual handling tasks should be mechanised wherever possible, and where lifting by hand is unavoidable, workers must be provided with the appropriate safety equipment to protect them from the risk of injury. Workers must not be required to lift excessive weights during shifts, and must be allowed regular breaks from physically-demanding tasks. Employers must also provide workers with proper training in safe manual handling techniques.

Bartletts Solicitors have been protecting and supporting clients for 150 years, and enjoys a reputation nationwide for trusted legal advice. We are specialists in work related back injury compensation claims, having successfully represented employees who have been injured across a range of industries.

Bartletts Solicitors handle accident at work claims on a no win no fee basis, meaning that you will not have to pay any legal fees until you win your claim and receive your compensation, and will not have to pay anything if your claim is unsuccessful. Since a change in the law in April 2013, all law firms now charge a success fee payable upon conclusion of successful work accident claims, calculated as a percentage of the damages awarded. Contact our specialist team today for free and confidential legal advice.

Our firm has been using the law to protect and support our clients since 1860 and is fully regulated, serving clients all over England and Wales. Our firm is Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.