We are personal injury solicitors claiming compensation for muscle injuries caused by work. Catherine Smith has experience in claiming compensation for muscle damage after activities such as lifting boxes at work. She introduces our no win no fee service in this video.

Read more about compensation for muscle injuries below, or use our free legal advice service opposite to ask us a question or to get started making a claim.

Solicitors Claiming Compensation For Muscle Injuries At Work

Damaged, torn and pulled muscles can affect any part of the body, and range widely in both their severity and the repercussions of the injury. Muscles become damaged when they are over-stretched or contorted out of position. They may also be worn down over time resulting in a number of common Repetitive Strain Injury conditions. Muscles are made up of bundles of fibres, which are controlled via the nerves transmitting impulses from the brain. Muscle damage normally involves torn muscle fibres and damage to the surrounding soft (connective) tissues. Due to the essential role that the muscles play in physical movements, serious injuries such as muscle tears can be extremely debilitating. An injured person may be unable to return to work for some weeks, and in the worst case scenario may not be able to continue in their chosen profession (especially where the profession involves heavy lifting). Treatment for pulled and torn muscles usually involves painkilling medications, physiotherapy, rest and compression with ice packs. While most people make a full recovery following muscle damage, others may experience permanent symptoms, including the onset of conditions such as Bursitis, Tendonitis and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Typical Muscle Injuries At Work

Most people's knowledge of muscle damage comes from injuries to athletes like footballers, who regularly pull hamstrings, or more seriously, rupture their Achilles Tendons. Both these types of injury can however affect workers engaged in physically demanding professions. A ruptured Achilles Tendon will normally require surgery and many months of recuperation. More commonly, lifting weights at work causes tears or pulls in the rib cage (intercostal) muscles. The 11 intercostal muscles on either side of the rib cage control breathing, allowing the chest to expand and contract. Damage to these muscles can make taking a breath feel like having a knife plunged into the chest. Another typical type of muscle damage related to manual handling at work is a torn or snapped biceps tendon in the upper arm. In either case the affected arm will be unable to bear any weight, and may be rendered useless for some time. Groin pulls are also common, where the muscles on the inner thigh are strained or torn. Again a person's mobility and ability to work may both be compromised following this kind of muscular injury.

Damaged, Torn & Pulled Muscles At Work

Muscle damage at work is normally the result of excessive strain, or a wrenching movement such as a violent twist. Even minor falls following a slip or trip can also pull or tear muscles, especially where a person uses his hands and wrists to break the impact. Lifting causes the majority of cases of serious muscle damage at work. Often these injuries are the result of poor lifting techniques, which in itself can represent a failure of management to provide workers with the appropriate training. Lifting heavy objects in awkward positions or in confined spaces are particularly hazardous, and such tasks need to be risk assessed by an employer to reduce the possibility of an accident occurring as far as reasonably possible. The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 lay out very specific guidelines regarding safe weights which may be lifted and transported in the workplace. These are dependant both on the sex and age of a specific worker, as well as the distance of the load to be lifted from the body. Wherever a mechanical alternative to manual handling exists, employers have a legal responsibility to use it. They must also map out and implement a safe system of work that minimises the risk of injury to their employees.

Repetitive Strain Injury Conditions

Apart from sudden physical trauma, long-term muscle damage is often caused by repeated small physical movements during the course of work. These types of injury are known collectively as Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI). RSI may be the result of a worker's poor posture, such as sitting for long hours hunched in front of a computer screen placing constant strain on the neck, back and shoulders. Otherwise the workstations provided by management may be poorly designed ergonomically, or not adjusted for an individual's particular physical characteristics. Other professions with a high incidence rate of RSI conditions include hairdressing, beauticians, gardeners and musicians. In each case repetitive small motions wear down and damage the muscles over time. Many RSI conditions are permanent, and can cause workers to either change jobs, or retire prematurely. They can also have a severely detrimental effect on an injured person's domestic life. Apart from ongoing physical pain and suffering, the emotional and financial impact of a long-term muscular condition can be equally damaging. Where an RSI condition is the result of the failure of management to provide safe working conditions, the latter may be judged to have negligently failed in the duty of care they owe to their employees. Compensation may then be available to a worker injured in this manner.

We are often asked; can I claim for muscle damage from work? The answer is often yes, especially if you have sustained the injury as a result of your workplace environment. Our solicitors work on a no win no fee basis, meaning if you win your case your employer's insurance company will pay all of your legal fees, however, if you lose we agree to write-off our costs. You will therefore receive 100% of your compensation if you win your claim, and won't have to pay us a penny if you lose.