Manual Handling Accident Claims

On this page:

• Common types of manual handling injuries
• How can I pay for my claim?
• How much manual handling injury compensation could I receive?
• Is there a time limit on manual handling injury claims?
• Why should I make a manual handling injury claim?

Manual handling injuries

Around 17% of all non-fatal injuries in the workplace were caused by handling, lifting or carrying accidents in 2022/23 – according to the Health and Safety Executive.

It is your employer’s duty to do all they can to keep you and your colleagues safe at work. If they don’t, and you’re injured while lifting or carrying a load, you could have a manual handling injury claim.

You may be able to take legal action if:

• An obstruction that should have been removed caused an injury
• You were not provided with the correct training in manual handling
• You were injured by faulty or unmaintained equipment
• You needed equipment to move a load but your employer did not provide it
• Your employer did not carry out a risk assessment

This isn’t a complete list, though. If you think you might have a case, get in touch with our friendly team today for a free initial chat.

We’ll talk to you about your accident and let you know how our accident at work solicitors could help you.

Common types of manual handling injuries

Some of the most common types of injury when lifting and carrying heavy loads include:

• Back injuries
• Broken or fractured bones
• Hand and arm injuries
• Neck injuries
• Strains or sprains

If you suffered any of these types of manual handling injuries at work, you could be able to make a compensation claim.

How can I pay for my claim?

We work with expert personal injury solicitors who are experienced in manual handling accident claims.

Our solicitors work on a No Win No Fee basis, which means there will be no fee to pay if your claim is unsuccessful – just as the name suggests.

There will also be nothing to pay upfront. All costs are settled at the end of the claim – and only if you are awarded compensation. So instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your solicitor at the start of a claim, you can focus your energy on recovering.

Manual handling injury claim FAQs

How much manual handling injury compensation could I receive?

Manual handling injuries come in many different forms. This makes it difficult to say exactly what you could be entitled to without having a conversation about what happened.

If your claim is successful, your final settlement will consider the extent of your injuries and the pain and suffering caused by your accident. These are known as general damages, which are based on the Judicial College Guidelines.

Some common injuries and payouts for manual handling accidents include:

Your compensation will also take into account any financial losses related to your accident. This could be lost earnings if you’ve had to take time off work, or the cost of transport to and from hospital appointments.

Is there a time limit on manual handling injury claims?

You’ll usually have three years to make a claim for a manual handling injury suffered at work. It’s important not to delay your claim because there are very few reasons why a claim would be accepted after three years*.

The sooner you begin your claim, the clearer your memory of the accident will likely be. The same will be true for any witnesses.

Your solicitor might also find it easier to access certain pieces of evidence when you start a claim quickly. This could include CCTV footage of your accident, or copies of your workplace’s accident book.

*To find out more about exceptions to the three-year time limit, take a look at our free personal injury claim time limits guide.

Why should I make a manual handling injury claim?

According to manual handling injury law (the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992), your employer should avoid the need for employees to carry out manual handling that involves a risk of injury.

But if this isn’t possible and manual handling is required, they should carry out a risk assessment and take reasonable steps to reduce the risk of injury to anyone involved in the task.

If your employer has failed in their duty to keep you safe, it’s only right that you pursue compensation.

Making a claim won’t undo what happened, but it could relieve some of the financial pressure you’re under – especially if you’ve taken time off work to recover.

Taking legal action could also help to ensure safety improvements are made, so your colleagues don’t suffer a similar accident.

We understand how daunting it can be to claim against your employer, but there are laws that protect you. You cannot legally be dismissed for taking legal action. But if this does happen, you could have grounds for an unfair dismissal claim.

We’re here to help you through this stressful time. Our knowledgeable team are available to answer any questions you may have about the claims process, so you’ll know exactly what to expect.

You can reach us by calling the number at the top of the screen, or start your claim online and one of our team will be in touch.