Fortunately, in the vast majority of cases, the worst of the pain and stiffness subsides after a couple of weeks or months, with full recoveries not uncommon. Usually, people's quality of life does not suffer substantially and they can get back to health relatively quickly, although recurrences and occasional pain can frequently be reported.
Spinal injury claims are seen in only a small proportion of back injuries compensation cases. MRI scans and X-rays can help medical professionals and solicitors to understand the extent of a person's back injury and can allow for targeted rehabilitation and treatment.
You may be able to tell if your back injuries compensation case is more serious than others if you have noticed any of the following symptoms, as listed by the Health and Safety Executive. Furthermore, these symptoms reveal that you ought to see a doctor immediately so they can investigate whether or not you have any further problems:
- Numbness in the anus or genitals
- Problems balancing or unsteadiness
- Difficulty passing urine
- Other problems with urination
- Weakness in the legs, pins and needles, or other numbness in the limbs
It is not unusual for back problems to be a sign of serious illnesses, and while you may think your back injuries compensation case is due to an accident at work, it might actually result from another health problem.
Back injuries compensation following accidents at work
While missed wages are often seen in back injuries compensation cases, sustaining a back problem at work does not necessarily mean that you will have to take an absence. Instead, you may be able to discuss your problem with an employer and come up with a strategy that enables you to continue going to work.
Pain and stiffness might mean you are inclined to avoid going into work, but usually, this is counterproductive and can lead to your problems worsening. You should only take time off and engage in prolonged bed rest if your doctor recommends this or if you are hospitalized. Remaining active not only brings psychological benefits, it may also reduce recovery time.
Although you might find it difficult to continue moving when your back is painful, you might find success if you engage in easy work and then build up the amount of movement you do until you reach your full potential. Stretching and walking can be very useful. Conversely, you may notice the pain and stiffness is worse than it was before if you remain in the same position for a long period of time.
How can employers manage returns to work?
The more time a member of staff spends off work following a back injury, the less likely it is that they will ever return. As a result, employers ought to regularly contact the absent worker to motivate them for their return.
A back-to-work plan that is tailored to a specific individual's needs can also be helpful for businesses, as it promotes staff retention while limiting the risk of back injuries compensation claims. Slight modifications and risk assessments, such as those relating to the working environment or to the tasks at hand, can help employers accomplish this.
Not only do these modifications and risk assessments help injured staff get back to work, they also help the business reduce the chance of other staff making back injuries compensation claims as they will prevent other people from becoming injured or ill as a result of their workplace.
Eventually, these managed returns should see staff members doing their original job within a number of weeks or months, supporting the smooth running of the business while helping the employee recover from their back injury.
However, many accidents at work can result in complete paralysis or severe, long-lasting back problems that doctors think the patient is unlikely to ever recover from. Accident at work compensation cases occasionally involve claimants asking for back injuries compensation caused by heavy impacts, falls from height or motor vehicle accidents and these may have caused spinal injuries or soft tissue damage that makes it impossible for the claimant to move around freely. The size of the back injuries compensation payout will generally reflect these difficulties.
Back injuries compensation solicitors can help you in your claim and ensure your receive all the money you are entitled to. Your employer will not be allowed to treat you unfairly or fire you as a result of your claim, and you will be able to recover any financial expenses and other damages without any unforeseen complications or problems.
