Soft tissue injuries involve damage to the muscles, ligaments and tendons in one or more of the body's limbs. Estimates from the Labour Force Survey (2016) show that the total number of work related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) cases among workers in 2015/16 was 539,000 out of a total of 1,311,000 for all work related illnesses, 41% of the total, with WRMSDS accounting for 34% of all working days lost due to work related ill health. Soft tissue injuries can be painful, frustrating and enduring, affecting just about every aspect of everyday life. They can make it difficult to work and result in a loss of earnings should it be necessary to take a long period of time off work to recover.

Virtually any accident in the workplace can cause damage to the body's soft tissues. Accidents involving slips, trips and falls often result in sprains, strains, bruising or lacerations. Soft tissue injuries can occur following any form of violent impact. Day to day activities can equally cause soft tissue injuries, such as moving a desk or even changing a light bulb. Any activity that involves repetitive periods of muscular strain without adequate recovery time in between can cause long-term pain and weakness in the affected joint or limb. Those workers engaged in manufacturing, factory workers, cleaners and musicians are known to be at particular risk of developing such repetitive strain injuries.

A soft tissue injury can occur in almost any working environment, from factories to offices to the office carpark. The range of injuries can that affect the soft tissues is similarly broad. Sprains, strains and bruising often result from the most seemingly innocuous of accidents. In the working environment, sprains to the lower back, knees, ankles and upper arm are all common. A number of cumulative musculoskeletal disorders caused by excessive and continuous repetition of certain physical tasks can also result in severe and sometimes permanent damage to the soft tissues, normally in the upper body.

Soft tissue injuries may last for weeks or months and necessitate a considerable amount of time off work. It is important to receive treatment for these types of injury as soon as possible to ease the symptoms and aid recovery. Treatment normally requires rest, the application of ice to reduce swelling, compression bandages, plaster casts or elevation of the injured limb. It may also include physiotherapy, acupuncture and osteopathic treatment. It is often possible to obtain an interim payment from your employer's insurance company to fund medical treatment privately to avoid lengthy waiting lists on the NHS.

Clients often call us to ask; I got a soft tissue injury from work which has bruised badly can I claim compensation? Compensation for soft tissue injuries and musculoskeletal disorders caused by accidents at work will take into account the physical, emotional and financial impact on a worker's life, including their future prospects. Employers are required by law to have employer's liability insurance, and this will cover all the costs associated with a successful claim. Our solicitors have experience in representing clients who have sustained soft tissue injuries at work through no fault of their own. Bartletts Solicitors can help you claim the compensation you deserve if you have been injured in such circumstances. Contact our team of specialist lawyers today for free, confidential legal advice that you can rely on.

Claiming with us is easy. Get a free no obligation initial consultation about your case, your rights, and our no win no fee agreement. All information can be taken over the phone. Medical treatment is local to you. We aim to keep the claims process short by keeping claims out of court. If your claim does need to go to court it is unlikely that you will need to attend court, as cases settle before the final hearing.

We can advise you about job security and dismissal concerns, as well as matters related to sick pay. Dismissal without a valid reason and without due procedures being followed is against the law, and can result in a claim for unfair dismissal being brought against the employer. Employers are also legally obliged to pay Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) to injured employees, and may pay more than the minimum depending on the terms of an individual’s employment contract. Contact us today for free no obligation advice.

Compensation will pay for private healthcare treatment. It will also cover:

Physiotherapy

Psychological therapy

Expenses (such as the cost of travel to hospital appointments)

Loss of income

Household adaptations

The amount of compensation you receive will depend on the severity of your injuries and the likelihood that you’ll make a full recovery. We’ll seek expert opinions on what care you’ll need to ensure that the compensation we claim will be sufficient.