How Much Compensation For Manual Handling Claims
Manual handling tasks are a daily part of many jobs, especially in sectors like construction, warehousing, healthcare and retail. However, these tasks often involve lifting, carrying or moving heavy objects, which can result in injury if safety procedures are not followed. If you’ve suffered a manual handling injury at work due to the fault of your employer, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
This expert guide explains everything you need to know about manual handling claims, including:
- Eligibility – When and how you can claim compensation after a manual handling accident
- Compensation Amounts – How compensation is calculated for manual handling injuries
- Common Causes and Prevention – How manual handling injuries can happen and how to avoid them
- Claims Process – How to make a manual handling claim and the benefits of a No Win No Fee agreement
If you’ve been injured while lifting, pulling, pushing or carrying at work, and it wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to claim. Our team at UK Law is ready to help you get your accident at work claim set up today. Our lines are open 24/7:
- Call 020 3870 4868
- Fill out our ‘claim online‘ page.
- Use our live on-screen chat box.
Jump To A Section
- Can I Claim Compensation After A Manual Handling Injury?
- The Average Manual Handling Claims Compensation
- Are Manual Handling Injuries Common?
- How Are Manual Handling Injuries Sustained?
- What Can I Do To Avoid A Manual Handling Injury?
- Will I Lose My Job If I Make A Manual Handling Claim?
- How Can I Make A Manual Handling Claim?
- Could A No Win No Fee Solicitor Help Me?
- Learn More
Can I Claim Compensation After A Manual Handling Injury?
You may be able to claim compensation if you were injured while performing manual handling tasks and the injury occurred due to a breach of your employer’s duty of care.
Employers are legally obligated to ensure your workplace safety under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. If they fail to take reasonable steps, such as carrying out proper risk assessments, providing adequate training, or supplying the right equipment, they could be held liable for workplace injuries.
To make a manual handling claim, you must demonstrate:
- You were owed a duty of care
- This duty was breached by your employer.
- You suffered a manual handling injury as a result
If you believe your employer failed to protect your health and safety, contact our team of advisors today to find out if you could be eligible to claim.
Am I Able To Claim If I’m Self-Employed?
Self-employed workers can also make a manual handling injury claim under certain circumstances. If you were working under the control of another company or contractor, that party may still owe you a duty of care. For example, if you were working on a site where health and safety procedures were ignored or equipment was faulty, you may still be entitled to claim compensation.
The key is establishing that another party, such as a business or agency, had some level of control over your working environment and failed to conduct proper risk assessments or provide adequate training.
If you’re unsure whether your circumstances allow you to claim, get in touch with our advisors now for a free eligibility check tailored to self-employed workers.
The Average Manual Handling Claims Compensation
The average amount awarded in manual handling claims depends on the type and severity of the injury, as well as the financial impact it has had on your life. Compensation is typically divided into two parts:
- General damages – awarded for the emotional and physical suffering caused by your injury
- Special damages – covers financial losses that have resulted due to your injury
Compensation amounts for general damages in manual handling injury claims are guided by the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), which set out bracketed guideline figures based on the nature of the injury.
Below is a table showing compensation ranges from the JCG for some common manual handling injuries. Please note that the top figure isn’t from the JCG, and none of these values can be guaranteed.
| Injury type | Injury severity | Guideline compensation brackets |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple serious injuries with special damages | Serious | Up to £500,000+ |
| Back | Severe (a)(i) | £111,150 to £196,450 |
| Severe (a)(ii) | £90,510 to £107,910 | |
| Moderate (b)(i) | £33,880 to £47,320 | |
| Minor (c)(i) | £9,630 to £15,260 | |
| Neck | Severe (a)(i) | In the region of £181,020 |
| Moderate (b)(i) | £30,500 to £46,970 | |
| Shoulder | Severe (a) | £23,430 to £58,610 |
| Serious (b) | £15,580 to £23,430 |
How Is Compensation Calculated For A Manual Handling Injury?
Below are some factors that are taken into consideration when general and special damages are being calculated.
General Damages:
- Severity and duration of pain
- Type and extent of the injury (e.g., back injury, musculoskeletal disorder)
- Recovery time and whether full recovery is expected
- Impact on daily life (e.g., ability to work, carry out hobbies or care for family)
- Permanent symptoms or long-term disability
- Psychological effects, such as anxiety or depression linked to the injury
Special Damages:
- Medical expenses (treatment, rehabilitation, prescriptions)
- Loss of earnings (past and future)
- Travel costs related to medical appointments
- Care costs if you’ve required help with daily tasks
- Adaptations to your home or vehicle due to the injury
Gathering strong evidence such as receipts and wage slips is key to maximising special damages.
To have your damages accurately assessed by our panel of specialists, contact UK Law today. We’re here to help you claim the full compensation you deserve.
Are Manual Handling Injuries Common?
Yes, manual handling incidents remain a significant issue in workplaces across Great Britain. The latest data from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for 2023/24 reveals:
- An estimated 543,000 workers suffered from work-related musculoskeletal disorders, such as back and upper limbs injuries
- These disorders led to approximately 7.8 million working days lost, significantly impacting productivity
- Manual handling tasks are responsible for roughly 17% of all workplace non-fatal injuries, highlighting their prevalence as a risk factor
These statistics underscore the risk of injury linked to manual handling tasks. With such common injuries affecting so many workers each year, it’s clear that to prevent manual handling injuries must be a priority for employers and employees alike.
If you’ve been injured in a manual handling accident, it’s important to take action. Contact our team today to learn how to start the manual handling claims process.
How Are Manual Handling Injuries Sustained?
Here are some examples of how manual handling injuries can happen due to a breach of duty of care:
- Lack of Training: Your employer failed to give you any manual handling training before instructing you to move heavy items in a warehouse. Due to the lack of guidance, you used an improper lifting technique and suffered a back injury.
- No Risk Assessment: You were asked to carry boxes down a narrow staircase. No risk assessment was carried out to identify the hazards, and you tripped, falling and injuring your shoulder. The task should have been adapted or mechanical aids provided.
- Improper Equipment: You were required to transport heavy stock across the factory floor, but no trolleys or lifting aids were made available. The lifting and twisting motion resulted in a musculoskeletal disorder affecting your upper limbs.
- Unsafe Environment: A leaking roof caused a wet floor in your workspace, but the hazard wasn’t marked or cleaned. While carrying a heavy load, you slipped, causing a serious wrist injury. This is an example of employer’s negligence in maintaining a safe environment.
These examples highlight how failing to follow proper health and safety procedures can lead to workplace injuries. If you’ve experienced something similar, you may be eligible to make a manual handling claim for compensation.
What Can I Do To Avoid A Manual Handling Injury?
Avoiding manual handling injuries requires both employer and employee involvement. Employers must carry out risk assessments and follow the TILE principle:
- Task – Assess the nature and difficulty of the task.
- Individual – Consider the person’s physical ability or limitations.
- Load – Evaluate the weight, size and shape of the item.
- Environment – Check for space, lighting, and surface stability.
Employers should:
- Provide proper training in lifting techniques
- Offer mechanical aids or proper equipment
- Ensure manual handling risks are controlled
Employees should:
- Use provided equipment properly
- Avoid manual handling where unsafe
- Report accidents or unsafe conditions promptly
If your employer failed to implement these safety measures and you’ve suffered an injury, contact our team now to explore your rights to compensation.
Will I Lose My Job If I Make A Manual Handling Claim?
No – while many injured workers fear they might be sacked if they claim compensation, it is unlawful for an employer to dismiss you simply for making a personal injury claim related to workplace injuries.
Employment law protects workers from unfair dismissal. If you’re worried, know that claiming compensation is your legal right when injured through no fault of your own.
You can also still work for your employer while making a manual handling claim, and in many cases, it can even encourage better health and safety policies in the workplace.
Let our panel of solicitors guide you through the manual handling claims process discreetly and professionally – contact us now with your concerns.
How Can I Make A Manual Handling Claim?
To make a successful manual handling claim, you’ll need to gather the right evidence and act within the legal time limits.
Evidence to Support Your Manual Handling Claim
It’s important to gather the following:
- Accident report – Ensure the incident is recorded in your workplace accident book
- Medical evidence – Seek medical attention and retain all records or diagnoses
- Photographs or video evidence – Show the accident scene or visible injuries
- Witness details – Collect contact details of any witnesses
- Proof of financial losses – Keep receipts, wage slips, and travel costs to support special damages
Infographic: Five essential types of evidence needed when gathering information for a manual handling claim.
What Is the Time Limit for Manual Handling Injury Claims?
The standard time limit for starting a manual handling claim is 3 years from the date of the accident. This is set out in the Limitation Act 1980.
Failing to begin legal proceedings within this time frame usually means your claim will be statute-barred. However, there are exceptions:
- Children – If the injured party is under 18, the 3-year limit does not start until their 18th birthday. A responsible adult (called a litigation friend) can bring a claim on their behalf at any time before that.
- Lack of mental capacity – If the injured person lacks mental capacity to claim, the time limit is suspended indefinitely unless capacity is regained. Similarly, before the person’s mental capacity is regained, a litigation friend can step in.
To protect your rights, it’s crucial to begin your manual handling injury claim as soon as possible while evidence is still fresh.
Contact our team today to discuss your eligibility. Our panel of solicitors can guide you through your claim and ensure you’re within the manual handling claims legal time frame.
Could A No Win No Fee Solicitor Help Me?
Yes, starting a manual handling claim with the help of a solicitor operating on a No Win No Fee basis can make the process more accessible. The specific type of arrangement our panel of solicitors offer is known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
A CFA allows you to pursue a compensation claim without paying any upfront solicitor fees. If your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t owe your solicitor any legal fees for their work.
Key Benefits of a No Win No Fee Agreement:
- No upfront solicitor fees – You can start your claim immediately without needing to pay your solicitor in advance.
- No solicitor fees if your claim is unsuccessful – If your claim isn’t successful, you won’t pay for your solicitor’s time and work at all.
- Transparent success fee – If the claim succeeds, a capped percentage (legally limited to 25%) is deducted from your compensation.
- Motivated representation – Solicitors working under a CFA are invested in winning your case.
Our panel of solicitors has significant knowledge of manual handling claims and will aim to secure the maximum compensation available to you on a No Win No Fee basis.
Don’t let financial concerns hold you back. Contact our team today:
- Call 020 3870 4868
- Fill out our ‘claim online‘ page.
- Use our live on-screen chat box.
Learn More
Explore these helpful resources:
- HSE – Manual Handling at Work Guidance
- Gov.UK – Workplace Health and Safety
- NHS – Back Pain Advice
Further reading from UK Law:
- Find out what to do if your workplace is denying liability for your accident.
- Learn how to claim after being hit by a falling object at work.
- Learn more about who is responsible for recording work injuries.
Make your next step count – contact UK Law now to potentially begin the manual handling claims process.
