A slipped or herniated disc is a painful, uncomfortable and temporarily disabling injury that can effect employees in working environment. Slipped discs at work most regularly affect those aged between 30 and 50, with male workers twice as likely to sustain the injury as their female counterparts. The recovery time from a slipped disc injury is normally 4-6 weeks, though some weakness in the back may persist, and workers may have difficulty operating at their former level for some time. While 95% of people make a full recovery from a slipped disc, those that do not can face ongoing surgery, a life-time of back pain, and temporary or permanent disability.

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, Vibrations

Slips, Trips, Falls and Vehicle Collisions

While slipped discs most regularly affect those engaged in lifting at work, they are also common among workers whose jobs involve small, repetitive physical movements, such as bending and stretching. Nursing as an industry has a particularly high incidence rate of slipped disc injuries. Nurses often lift and move a dangerous cumulative amount of weight over the course of a shift. They may also suffer slipped disc injuries from routine physical tasks such as cleaning and making beds. For the same reasons, slipped disc injuries disproportionately affect construction, factory and warehouse workers, who are regularly engaged in heavy and repetitive lifting at work, and other physically-demanding tasks.

The most important role of discs in the back is to act as stabilising cushions between the individual bones in the spine. When one of these discs cracks due to excessive force being placed on it, the soft tissues inside will bulge out, and the disc will cease to support the vertebrae. The intense pain felt by many of those suffering from a slipped disc usually results from the protruding part of the disc touching and pressing on nerves in and around the spinal column. This may cause shooting pains in different parts of the body, such as the arms and legs, which receive messages from these nerves.

Employers have a duty of care to protect workers from the risk of slipped disc injuries. The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 impose strict limits on safe weights that can be lifted and carried by an individual. Workers involved in repetitive physical tasks must be allowed sufficient rest breaks, and have their working environment ergonomically risk assessed. Lifting at work should be avoided where possible, or a mechanical solution found. Otherwise, staff must be fully trained in safe lifting techniques, and provided with protective equipment, such as back braces and weight belts.

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.

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