Neck Injury Claims

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Neck injuries are one of the most common forms of work related injury, and result in high levels of absenteeism from work. A neck injury sustained in the workplace is normally classified as a work related upper limb disorder (WRULD). WRULDs may also be known as strains, sprains, repetitive strain injuries or cumulative trauma disorders. Health and Safety Executive figures for 2007/08 reveal that 213,000 people suffered from a form of upper limb or neck disorder during the period, caused or made worse by work. On average, each worker affected took an estimated 13.3 days off in that 12 month period representing the loss of an estimated 2.8 million working days. Injuries to the neck may not seem initially serious, but due to the neck's sensitivity and the important body functions that it controls, any neck condition can swiftly deteriorate and spread to affect other parts of the body.

What Is A Work Related Neck Injury?

The neck's critical role is to connect the brain to the rest of the body, and to control the body's movement via the spine. Due to this the severity of neck injuries varies enormously. A mild case of whiplash may clear up in a day or two. However, where damage has been done to the spinal cord, or a vertebrae has been broken or crushed, the effects can be serious and potentially life-changing. A neck injury may render the victim immobile for a considerable period of time, or cause complete paralysis in extreme cases, where the nerve signals from the brain to the rest of the body have been completely disrupted. Neck injuries of any kind involve damage to the nerves, soft tissues, muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints or bones. Well known neck conditions include herniated and slipped discs, torticollis (twisted neck), sciatica, arthritis, compression fractures and chronic neck pain. Strains and sprains are the most common form of injury, often resulting from whiplash sustained in road vehicle accidents. Injuries to shoulders, head, arms, and jaw can cause problems in the neck, while a neck injury itself can give rise to spinal cord injuries and back injuries.

Who Is Affected By Work Related Neck Injuries?

Neck injuries are commonly caused by carrying out repetitive work, sudden trauma or poor posture. Studies have defined such 'repetitive work' as work activities which involve continuous arm or hand movements, affecting the neck or shoulder muscles, or activities which generate loads on the neck or shoulder area. Road traffic accidents are the number one cause of neck injury claims, mostly involving a non-serious whiplash injury. Construction sites are known to be dangerous places to work, and neck injuries often result from accidents such as falls from scaffolding and slips and trips. Manual handling of any form can cause neck injury, where too much strain is placed on the neck during actions such as lifting, carrying, pulling, pushing, lowering, moving and holding objects by hand. The HSE have highlighted community, social and personal service activities, manufacturing and construction process, plant and machine operatives and culture, media and sports occupations as being particularly at risk of upper limb disorders and neck injuries.

Employers Must Take Steps To Prevent Accidents At Work

Lifting heavy loads of any kind at work can cause neck injuries and all employers must ensure that their employees are provided with adequate training. The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 set no specific requirements such as weight limits, but a variety of relevant factors are used to determine the risk of injury and point the way to remedial action. Where possible, employers must avoid the need for employees to undertake any manual handling operations at work which involve the risk of injury. Where such work is unavoidable ergonomic risk assessments of each task must be carried out and an appropriate level of training and supervision must be provided.

Neck Injury Claims And Compensation Awards

Neck injuries can take years to heal fully, and the level of medical care required can be high, especially as the neck often requires physiotherapy and exercise to keep it from stiffening further. Damages awarded following a successful neck injury claim will include all current and future medical treatment expenses, loss of earnings, future work prospects and pain and suffering. Bartletts Solicitors are specialists in neck injury claims, and 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, and if you lose we agree to write-off our costs. You will therefore receive 100% of your compensation if you win and won't have to pay us a penny if you lose.

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