Compensation for Woman After Workplace Accident Causes Physical and Psychological Injury

Workplace accident case

A woman has received £17,500 in compensation after a workplace accident caused injury which led to back pain and psychological problems.

Ms X was employed as a care assistant at a residential  home when she had the accident.

She was in the process of moving a resident from the bed to a commode with another assistant. In the process of this manoeuvre the other assistant hurt her shoulder and let go of the resident.  Ms X  tried to keep hold of the resident but she was too heavy. As a result, she fell with the resident falling on top of her.

Ms X sustained an injury to her back but this also led to her developing a major depressive episode  which made her anxious on leaving the house, disturbed her sleep and changed her day-to-day attitude towards life often leaving her weepy and emotional.

The case was settled with help from Lisa Fairclough of Irwin Mitchell’s Accidents at Work team.

She said, “This case highlights the importance of providing proper training and lifting equipment such as hoists to assist in manoeuvres of this type.

“Guidance in the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 suggests that, so far as is reasonably practicable, manual handling should be avoided.  Where it cannot be avoided the risk should be assessed and  reduced to the lowest level practicable, for example by the use of a hoist.”

If you have been inured in a workplace accident, we can help. Fill in our online claims form for a free case assessment.