Soft Tissue Injury Claims

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Soft tissue injuries are the most common type of personal injury sustained by people nationwide. The HSE has reported that soft tissue injuries played a part in more than two thirds of significant workplace injuries during 2007/2008. Soft tissue injuries reflect damage to the muscles, ligaments and tendons in one of more of the body's limbs. Soft tissue injuries can be painful, frustrating and enduring, affecting just about every aspect of your everyday life. They can make it difficult to work and result in a loss of earnings should it be necessary for you to take long periods of time off work to recover. If you have suffered a soft tissue injury whilst at work, you could be entitled to make a compensation claim.

Typical Causes Of Soft Tissue Injuries

A soft tissue injury can occur in almost any working environment, from factories to offices to the outdoors. The range of injuries can that affect the soft tissues of the limbs is similarly broad. Sprains, strains and bruising often result from the most seemingly innocuous of accidents, and the extent of an injury can often take a while to become apparent. A sprain occurs when ligaments are overstretched, partially ruptured or torn. In the working environment, sprains to the lower back, knees, ankles and upper arm are all common. A strain on the other hand reflects overstretched or partially torn muscles and tendons. A rupture occurs where the muscle or tendon is completely torn or severed. Soft tissue injuries also include bruising (contusions), where damaged blood vessels are bleeding under the skin. Damage to the soft tissues can be sustained from any type of crush or compression injury, as well as from lacerations and burns. Furthermore a number of cumulative musculo-skeletal disorders caused by excessive, continuous repetition of certain physical tasks can result in severe and sometimes permanent damage to the soft tissues, normally in the upper body. These come under the categorical heading of 'repetitive strain injuries' (RSI), with specific conditions including Bursitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Tendonitis. It is estimated that these repetitive trauma disorders account for two thirds of all workplace illnesses.

Who Is Affected By Soft Tissue Injuries?

Virtually any injury in the workplace can cause damage to the body's soft tissues. Accidents at work involving slips, trips or falls often result in sprains, strains, bruising or lacerations. Work vehicle accidents commonly involve impact injuries, especially whiplash, where the neck or part of the upper body is subjected to a sudden jerk or wrench. Soft tissue injuries can therefore occur following any form of violent impact. Day to day activities however can equally cause soft tissue injuries, such as moving a desk or changing a light bulb. Repetitive strain injuries are often caused by the use of vibrating equipment and manual work that involves twisting or repetitive movements. RSI or cumulative trauma also results from the excessive use of force / speed on a task, or the awkward posture adopted by the worker when performing a task (including working at a computer). Any activity that involves repetitive periods of muscular tension without adequate recovery time in between can cause long-term pain and weakness in the affected joint or limb. Those workers engaged in regular computer use, factory production line workers, cleaners and musicians are known to be at particular risk of developing repetitive strain injury in one of its many forms.

Treating Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries may last for weeks or months, and require considerable time off work. It is important to receive treatment for these types of injury as soon as possible to ease your symptoms and aid recovery. Treatment normally requires rest, the application of ice to reduce swelling, compression bandages, plaster casts or elevation of the damaged 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.

Soft Tissue Injury Claims And Compensation Awards

Bartletts Solicitors can also claim back any lost earnings incurred if you have been unable to work as a result of a soft tissue injury at work. Bartletts are specialists in the field of soft tissue injury claims. We work on a no win no fee basis meaning if you win your case your employer's insurance company will also pay all of your legal fees.

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