Manual handling injuries are among the most common workplace accidents in England and Wales. Whether you’re lifting boxes in a warehouse, moving patients in a care setting, or handling equipment on a construction site, your employer has a legal duty to protect you. If they fail to do so and you’re injured, you may be entitled to claim compensation; we can help you and on a no win, no fee basis.
What Are Manual Handling Injuries?
Manual handling refers to the transporting or supporting of loads by hand or bodily force. This includes lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, or carrying. Injuries can range from minor strains to serious musculoskeletal disorders, often affecting the back, shoulders, and arms.
Employer Duties Under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
Under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, all employers must take steps to avoid, assess, and reduce the risk of injury from manual handling tasks. These duties include:
- Avoiding hazardous manual handling wherever possible by redesigning tasks or using mechanical aids.
- Assessing the risk of injury from unavoidable manual handling tasks.
- Reducing the risk by implementing control measures such as team lifting, equipment, or task rotation.
Employers must also provide adequate training to ensure staff understand safe lifting techniques and the risks involved. This training should be tailored to the specific tasks and environment; generic or outdated training is not sufficient.
The Importance of Quality Training and Expert Input
Poor training is a common factor in manual handling claims. Employers must ensure that training is:
- Delivered by qualified professionals
- Specific to the job role
- Regularly updated
- Supported by supervision and monitoring
A failure to comply with such requirements can be cited as evidence in support of any claim.
Can You Claim Compensation?
If you’ve suffered a manual handling injury due to your employer’s negligence, such as failing to provide proper training, ignoring risk assessments, or not supplying lifting aids then you may be entitled to compensation. This can cover:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of earnings
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Travel expenses and other sundry losses
Claims must usually be made within three years of the injury, so it’s important to seek legal advice promptly.
No Win, No Fee Funding
At Ison Harrison, we understand that the thought of legal costs can be daunting. That’s why we offer no win, no fee funding for manual handling claims. This means you won’t pay anything upfront, and if your claim isn’t successful, you won’t owe us a penny.
Why Choose Ison Harrison?
As trusted, expert personal injury solicitors, we’ve helped thousands of clients across Leeds, Yorkshire and beyond secure the compensation they deserve. We’re Lexcel-accredited, approachable, and committed to fighting for your rights.
Contact Us Today
If you’ve been injured at work due to poor manual handling practices, don’t suffer in silence. Contact our personal injury team today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll assess your case, explain your options, and help you take the next step towards justice.
Call us on 0113 284 5000 or email us at pi@isonharrison.co.uk to get started.
