We are personal injury solicitors claiming compensation for injured nurses and care home staff. Catherine Smith introduces our No Win No Fee services in this short video.

Read more about nursing and carer injuries below, or use our free legal advice service opposite to ask us a question such as; can a nurse claim compensation if injured at work?

Nurses & Care Home Workers Injury Compensation

Nurses, orderlies and care home workers face the risk of serious musculoskeletal injuries on a daily basis due to the hands-on physical nature of their work. Surveys have found that nursing has the highest incidence rate of back injuries in any industry, and double the combined average of other professions. An estimated 12% of British nurses leaving their jobs cited long-term back pain as the main or contributory factor in a recent report. Heavy and repetitive lifting is the main cause of these injuries. A nurse for example may lift 20-30 patients during a shift, amounting to around 1.5 tons (1500kg) in total.

Back injuries and conditions may develop over a period of time, or may result from sudden trauma. Some typical examples of back problems that affect the nursing profession are:

Typical Causes Of Back Injuries Among Nurses

Lifting and transferring immobile patients accounts for over half the total number of injuries sustained by those involved in patient care. Nurses often work lengthy shifts, spent for the most part on their feet, in high pressure, demanding environments. Nursing staff also often have to make quick decisions with regard to moving a patient, often operating in confined spaces, and without time to accurately judge the ergonomics of a situation. The behaviour of individual patients is another variable factor, as they may be uncooperative, agitated or violent. As in most working environments, there is also a risk of slips, trips and falls, which a safe system of work will aim to minimise.

Lack Of Equipment At Hospitals & Care Homes

Many other nursing tasks can cause injuries, including turning patients in bed, supporting them, and especially the bending and stretching involved in repetitive making of beds. Nursing staff are regularly let down by their employer’s is the provision of equipment to assist them. Studies have shown that state-of-the-art equipment such mechanically-powered beds for example can dramatically reduce injuries among nursing staff. More basic equipment such as metal frame walkers and gait belts for lifting patients may be unavailable, with nurses ending up lifting an unacceptable total amount of weight over the course of a shift, causing an injury.

The Benefits Of Using A Firm Of No Win No Fee Solicitors

Legal Responsibilities Of Hospitals & Care Homes

Hospitals and care homes have a duty of care to protect the welfare of their staff as far as reasonably possible. The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 sets out guidelines concerning the 'transporting or supporting a load (including lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving) by hand or bodily force'. Such tasks must be avoided if a suitable mechanical alternative exists, and otherwise the task should be risk assessed to minimise the possibility of as worker getting injured. Full training in safe lifting and the safe use of equipment must also be provided.

Find Out More About: Suing The NHS For A Work Accident

Claiming Compensation For Nurses & Carers

Provided your claim relates to an accident that has taken place in the last three years, we can represent you on a No Win No Fee basis. You are assured of keeping 100% of any compensation awarded, with no deductions. In the event that your compensation claim is successful our fees are paid by the losing party to the claim. The vast majority of the claims we take on are successful, and where they are not we will charge you nothing.

Bartletts Solicitors have been protecting and supporting clients for 150 years and enjoy a reputation nationwide for trusted legal advice. We are specialists in compensation claims on behalf of nurses and care workers, having successfully represented clients on obtaining damages from their employers. Call us today on 0800 158 2454 for a free consultation regarding your case or to begin a claim. You can also contact us for free legal advice via our new Live Chat function.