INJURY*

Back Injury Claims*

The back is constructed of muscles, bones, tendons and various other types of soft tissue and nerves. It is sensitive and can be susceptible to injuries. The main cause of back injuries claims is due to lifting heavy items and lifting an object incorrectly.

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What are the possible consequences of a back injury?

It is not surprising that work-related back injuries are a very common occurrence, especially for those with a manual job such as warehouse pickers, factory workers or construction workers.

Possible consequences of a back injury include:

  • Suffering from Chronic Pain
  • Partial Paralysis
  • Full Paralysis
  • Difficulty with Lifting, Walking and other Everyday Tasks

What should I do if I injure my back at work?

It is important to seek immediate medical attention when a person injures their back. Medics recommended that you wait until an ambulance arrives before moving or attempting to examine a back injury. The reason behind this is to prevent further damage to the spinal cord. If you have suffered a back injury speaking with a solicitor may help you determine whether you can pursue legal action.

Common Back Injuries

Slipped Disc

A slipped disc injury occurs in the lower back and happens due to excessive bending and lifting. The initial pain is likely to be sudden and severe. In some circumstances, this can worsen by general actions such as sitting and coughing.

Sacro Iliac Joint Dysfunction

This injury relates to severe pain at the back of the pelvis, the lower back can also suffer. Aching at the base of the spine and locking of the joints are common symptoms.

Spondylolysis

Spondylolysis is a stress fracture of the lower back. This is caused due to repeated arching and twisting of the back.

Facet Syndrome

Facet syndrome can occur by a person’s quick sudden movements which result in severe joint pain. Symptoms may include pain, stiffness and locking of the joints.

What are the Causes of Back Injuries?

Top causes of a back injury can include:

  • Trips, slips and falls in a workplace or a public place are due to dangerous hazards
  • The manual handling of various objects in the workplace
  • Improper equipment provided which is used to lift a heavy object
  • Working long periods of physical labour without being provided with appropriate breaks
  • Not being qualified with a manual handling course
  • Injury sustained in a car or other road traffic accidents
  • Inadequate practice or procedures such as acupuncture
  • Partaking in Dangerous practices and procedures at work

An employer has a responsibility to abide by the Health and Safety at Work Act 2005. If you think you have suffered a back injury due to the negligence of your employer it is recommended to talk to a solicitor.

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We use our expert knowledge and over 35 years of experience to give you the voice you need. We use non-legal language and provide practical and impartial advice through every stage of the process!

Call us today on +353 1 649 9900 or contact us online.

How do I make a claim?

Once you have gathered all the relevant information in relation to your injury it is then time to move forward with your claim. It is important to use a personal injury solicitor to help you with this.

  1. Prepare the information for a solicitor

    When you decide you want to move forward with your injury claim it is important to have all the relevant information to hand when contacting a solicitor. Important information to have on hand at this point is:

    • Date of the accident
    • Location of the accident
    • Details of who/what caused the accident
    • Specifics of what happened
    • Who did you report the accident to?
    • If any emergency services attended the scene and their details
    • Details of your injuries
    • Hospitals/Doctors attended with your injury
    • Any pictures you may have taken of the scene of the accident and/or your injuries
    • Details of any witnesses
    • Is there CCTV that may have captured the accident?
  2. Solicitor becomes your trusted advisor

    As a solicitor is aware of the injury claim process they can avoid any legal bumps in the road you might encounter if you did this yourself. It is their job to be your trusted advisor on all legal matters throughout your case.

  3. Solicitor obtains a medical report

    The most important document needed to prove your injuries is your medical report. The reason a solicitor will ask for your doctor’s details or if you have attended the hospital is so they can obtain all the medical reports required to pursue the case for you.

  4. Solicitor prepares the Injuries Board application

    As soon as your solicitor has gathered all the information, your injury claim will be submitted to the Personal Injuries Assessment Board for assessment. Your solicitor will do this for you. Once the Injuries Board assess your claim your solicitor will revert with a suggested settlement amount. At this stage, you have a choice to accept the Injuries Board assessment or reject it and move to the next steps.

    At this point one of two scenarios will unfold:

    a. If both you and the party at fault accept the Injuries Board assessment, your case is settled and the person at fault will be ordered to pay settlement to you.

    b. If either you or the person at fault reject the Injuries Board assessment, then you move to the next stage and your solicitor will issue legal proceedings.

  5. Possible case outcomes

    Before you start to concern yourself with court and everything that comes with it, it’s important to understand that only a very small percentage of cases actually make it to a courtroom.

    Settlement meetings will be arranged where a settlement can be negotiated. Most cases are settled at this point without ever having to step foot into a courtroom and remember it’s your solicitor’s job to be with you every step of the way, right beside you to ensure that your best interests are met at all stages. Your solicitor is to be your trusted advisor throughout the process and to let you focus on your recovery, as they focus on settling your case.

At Tracey Solicitors LLP, we make law accessible to all — regardless of your knowledge or experience with the claims process. For more information and a confidential discussion on your accident, phone 01 649 9900 where you can speak with a member of our team straight away, or email ask@traceysolicitors.ie to tell us about your case.

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Case Settlement

If you are to proceed with an injury claim you may be entitled to claim compensation for the injury and added expenses you may have incurred. These claims are called damages.

General Damages

General damages are non-financial damages such as pain and suffering and/or physical and emotional injuries following an accident.

Special Damages

Special damages are out of pocket expenses incurred as a result of the injury, for example, loss of earnings (if you are out of work), medical bills, and added travel costs as a result of the injury (for example, travel to and from the hospital). Learn more about Special Damages. 

Material Damages

Material damage refers to damage caused to your personal property. For example, in a road traffic accident, the material damage would be the damage to your car.

What are the Legal Time Limits?

The statute of limitations are the legal time limits on how long you have to make a claim — these vary depending on the situation. The general rule for most personal injury cases is that the person has two years from the date of the accident or date of knowledge of the accident to make a claim for compensation. Contacting a solicitor to discuss your case will help you in determining how long you have left to make a claim.

Learn more about Time Limits

About Tracey Solicitors LLP

We draw on more than 35 years of experience in personal injury law to provide you with expert advice and legal services.

We’re here to help you with your claim, and will work with you to ensure you understand every step of your legal journey.

Contact Us

Our friendly and experienced team are waiting to answer your call. Lines are open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm.

+353 1 649 9900

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