Category Archives: Industrial disease

Injury claims for occupational bursitis

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Over 3 in every 100 people are expected to be struggling with bursitis as you read this. Bursitis is a condition which arises when the elbow, knee or shoulder joints become enflamed and painful as a result of repetitive strains placed upon them. The bursae are pods of synovial fluid which prevent the bone and the muscles connected to it from grinding together. Damage to the joint caused by repetitive strain therefore causes the busae to become inflamed or infected and this can lead to bursitis.

Those suffering with bursitis are likely to feel considerable pain due to the inflammation and possible infection of the affected joint and their mobility may be significantly restricted as a result. In mild cases, a few weeks of rest and avoidance of the activity which caused bursitis should lead a full recovery. However, in cases where the bursitis involves infection or sepsis, surgery, prescription drugs and regular drips to orthopaedic doctors may be required.

Bursitis –  the causes

Bursitis is most commonly caused by repetitive actions in the workplace. Those who are constantly required to perform certain repetitive movements or hold certain positions for an extended period of time tend to place high levels of stress on their joints which can lead to bursitis. It is no surprise for example that bursitis is often referred to as ‘housemaid’s knee’ and indeed electricians and plumbers who spend a lot of time kneeling down are often more susceptible to the condition.

Bursitis – Your employer’s obligations to protect you

Your employer is legally obliged to take every action possible (within reason) to ensure that you are not harmed in the workplace. Therefore, if your can demonstrated that your employer failed to protect you by not providing you with knee protection or warning you about the health risks associated with certain movements they can be said to have shirked their legal duty.

If you believe that your employer has failed to discharge their legal duty of care and you have suffered from bursitis as a result, you should instruct a specialist occupational injury solicitor straight away to see about making a compensation claim. Our personal injury claim team is composed of the experts you need who also have strong contacts with medical experts who will produce a medical report which is central to your case. We are fully committed to recovering every penny of compensation that our clients are entitled to and have the expertise needed to win your injury claim.

Considering a Bursitis Injury Claim? Our experts can help you win justice

If your employer failed to take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent you contracting bursitis in the workplace, you could be entitled to claim injury compensation.

Call our specialist personal injury solicitors on FREEPHONE FREEPHONE 0800 1404544, or

Complete the contact form below to get in touch.

    How to avoid dermatitis at work

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    Occupational contact dermatitis is a widespread, under-reported, painful and unsightly disease which attacks the skin of workers exposed to any one or more of a surprisingly wide range of allergenic and irritant substances in the workplace, and can leave it swollen, reddened, cracked and blistered. The fact that so many employees contract dermatitis in the UK annually as a result of their work provides pretty conclusive evidence that some businesses risk management systems are in need of a revisit – or those businesses risk the chance of an expensive personal injury claim.

    Preventing incidences of contact dermatitis at work is not a herculean undertaking for employers. Despite the relative ease with which this skin disease could be eliminated or greatly reduced in the UK workforce and the fact that undertaking to protect their employees from it is a legal obligation on employers under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (amongst other regulations), the problem of employers failing in their duty of care to their employees in this respect refuses to go away.

     

    Employers are legally obliged to identify hazards, environmental and work-related, assess risk and have control measures in place to protect their employees and this system should be regularly revisited and updated as necessary. When it comes to avoiding contact dermatitis at work, current best industry practice stipulates a three prong strategy designed to fulfil employers’ duty of care obligations:

    1) Employee health and safety training – regular skin checks for indications of dermatitis, either carried out by a health professional or by way of self-examination. Training for employees about the nature of the substances they are exposed to in the course of their work, the risks the substances pose and the precautions that must be taken remove or reduce those risks. How to use the personal protective equipment supplied, such as barrier creams and gloves. Employees informed of the results of any exposure monitoring.

    2) Protecting skin – skincare information available, including on recommended hand washing techniques and the use of pre and post work skin moisturisers.

    3) Avoiding contact – by substituting the allergenic or irritant substances with safer alternatives, remove physical contact with the allergenic or irritant substances from the work process, automate the process or use equipment for handling.

    It’s really not rocket science, and all that dealing with contact dermatitis requires is common sense and compliance with health and safety legislation.

    Contact us about industrial disease injury claim now

    If you are the victim of industrial disease, it’s essential that you don’t delay claiming , or you may lose your right to compensation entirely. Wherever you live in England or Wales, one of our specialist personal injury solicitors can explain to you all about claiming injury compensation.

    To arrange a FREE discussion with one of our personal injury team call us on FREEPHONE FREEPHONE 0800 1404544 e-mail our team at advice@the-personal-injury-solicitors.co.uk

    Chemical Accidents and Claiming Injury Compensation

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    The damage caused by accidents involving harmful chemical substances can be devastating. We have seen in Bhopal India (1984) and more recently in the Gulf of Mexico (2010), the human and environmental cost that comes with spills and explosions that expose us to dangerous materials. It is therefore important that the storage and usage of hazardous chemicals is strictly regulated.

    Chemical accidents can occur in a number of ways which means health and safety standards must be met. Vehicles transporting chemicals, storage tanks and factories are all hazardous and can put people at risk. As a result, it is not surprising to see personal injury claims caused by contact with harmful chemicals.

    The labelling and safe storage of chemicals is of paramount importance in preventing accidents. We are all familiar with the symbols warning us about toxic or caustic chemicals and such markings are essential in order to prevent confusion with consumer goods like drinks or hygiene products for example. The injuries that could be caused by a particular product should be made clear, whether it’s blindness, poisoning, burns or any other grievance.

    Those working with dangerous chemicals should be provided with protective clothing which must be worn at all times. If this equipment in not provided you may find that your employer is guilty of professional negligence. The nature of the chemicals used will dictate the type of clothing required. Such clothing should be extensively tested before it is used by anyone to ensure that it is fit for purpose. If you suffer an injury whilst working with dangerous chemicals and you are not convinced that the necessary precautions were taken to protect you, you may be entitled to make a compensation claim.

    Thinking of Claiming Chemical Injury Compensation? Contact us today

    Sustaining a personal injury through exposure to harmful chemicals can result in physical and psychological trauma and it is only right that you are compensated accordingly if your injuries were no fault of your own.

    If you are in need of any advice or information regarding accident or injury following a chemical spill, don’t delay, or you risk losing your right to injury compensation – email our specialist personal injury solicitors at advice@the-personal-injury-solicitors.co.uk or call us now on FREEPHONE FREEPHONE 0800 1404544.

    Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – An Occupational Hazard?

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    Could typing be damaging your health? The National Centre for Biotechnology Information suggests that it could be, with the repetitive action of typing identified as a major cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). When the median nerve which controls feeling and mobility in the wrist is compressed, it can result in numbness, tingling or pain in the hands – this is known as CTS. The condition can be very difficult to live with, also causing weakness in the thumbs, a loss of grip and dull aching in the arms.

    The link between CTS and typing is not accepted by all scientists or medical professionals. CTS has various causes including obesity, trauma, awkward sleeping positions, pregnancy and diabetes and it can therefore be difficult to pinpoint the exact causes of the condition. However, there is significant evidence to support the idea that repetitive actions contribute to CTS and it is now held that vibration can be a major cause of the condition as well.

    CTS is now legally held to be an industrial disease and sufferers who believe that they developed the condition due to repetitive tasks at work may be entitled to make a personal injury compensation claim through the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit. Therefore, office workers, construction workers using pneumatic drills and other professionals using heavy machinery could all be entitled to make a claim.

    CTS can be treated and only requires surgery in a small percentage of cases. It is highly likely that doctors will first attempt to relieve pressure on the median nerve using either a wrist splint, cortisone injections, or by prescribing anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the swelling. Sufferers of the condition will undoubtedly incur costs, through medical expenses, travel to and from appointments, not to mention loss of earnings now and most importantly in the future.

    Our personal injury solicitors are industrial disease specialists and strongly advise you to get expert legal advice to find out whether or not you may be entitled to make a compensation claim. We represent clients both locally throughout Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset – and nationwide online. Why not email us or call us today for free initial advice and a free first consultation with one of our team.