Tendon Injury At Work Claims - Workplace Safety
Tendon injury at work claims are on the rise and according the Health and Safety Executive 42% of work related injuries involve musculoskeletal disorders. Repetitive motions are the primary cause of this type of work related injury. Data entry office workers, manual labourers, and assembly line operators are exposed to higher risks of experiencing tendon injuries at work and in 2013, 526,000 cases of tendon injuries were reported.
Common Types of Tendon Injuries Experienced at Work
Tendon injuries can vary in severity and even small tendon injuries can result in painful medical conditions that can lead to more serious injuries developing. The combination of overuse and excessive force can create a scenario prone to tendon injuries.
Tendinitis – Tendinitis occurs when you tendons experience severe swelling. Wrists and ankles are affected most. Many professional sports experience high risks of tendinitis including:
- Golfers Elbow
- Pitchers Shoulder
- Swimmers Shoulder
- Jumper Knee
- Tennis Elbow
The most common form of tendinitis encountered in the workplace affects the wrists and can be induced by spending extended periods of time typing. Computers are everywhere in our modern offices and prolonged exposure to typing, without the proper wrist support, can result in tendinitis.
Tendinosis – Stressful and repetitive movements can cause the breakdown of collagen over time. This breakdown can result in abnormal blood vessels forming and a thickening of the tendon’s sheath. A large percentage of people mistake their tendinosis symptoms for tendinitis and although it is possible to suffer from both, most people get tendinosis first.
Menial tasks such as clicking a mouse, clenching a steering wheel, or texting can create a strain on your tendons. Poor posture can increase the level of risk encountered in these activities.
Tendinopathy – This disease has symptoms that can include tenderness and pain during movement. Professionals use this term when discussing chronic tendon injuries that fail to heal. For example, a marathon runner that has a hamstring tendon that doesn’t fully heal could be said to be suffering from Tendinopathy.
Tendon Injury Legislation
The Scottish government has gone to great lengths to try to reduce the amount of tendon accident in the workplace. The Health and Safety Executive or HSE has provided numerous pieces of legislation dictating the responsibilities business owners must meet in order to operate within the law.
Business owners are required to train employees on the risks of their job and all of the proper safety precautions that must be followed to reduce the chances of an accident occurring. This training must also include how to respond to hazardous conditions encountered in the workplace.
A failure to meet these conditions is considered negligence by the courts and gathering the necessary information you need to prove that this was a failure by your employer to meet these safety standards, can be the best compensation strategy to follow. Below are a few examples of legislation that changed the health and safety standards of the modern workplace.
- The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
- Workplace Regulations 1992
- Management of Health and safety Regulations 1992
- Health and Safety Regulations 1992
Flexor Tendonitis
Flexor tendonitis affects millions of people across the globe. This tendon injury is the direct result of typing too much. The flexor tendons run from your forearm muscles to the thumb and finger bones and the repetitive nature of typing creates the perfect scenario for this injury to form.
Prognosis
Tendon injuries range in severity with many healing overtime naturally on their own. Movement can be restricted during the healing process and it may become necessary to seek a surgical solution in extreme cases. Ruptured tendons will require surgery. A professional medical examination must be one of the initial steps you take to determine the overall extent of your injuries.
Misdiagnosis
Unfortunately, misdiagnosis is a reality when speaking of tendon injuries. This is due to the similarities each condition shares with the others. Delaying treatment of your tendon injuries can lower your chances of a full recovery and result in more serious conditions forming. If you are injured because a doctor misdiagnosed your tendon injury, Claim Solutions Scotland Ltd can help you navigate the claims process. We understand what compensation can mean to someone who has been injured in a tendon accident at work. Our expert team of claim advisors are ready to give you the timely advice you need to stay one-step ahead of the greedy insurance companies.
How Long Will It Take to Receive Compensation?
The time a compensation claim takes to process can vary greatly depending upon the circumstances surrounding the accident and the amount of evidence available. This process can move quickly when the accident is clearly the fault of a particular party and the party doesn’t contest this. Your claim will take longer to process if your employer’s insurer contests the validity of your claim or your injuries. In this scenario, a full investigation will be launched to find out the exact details of your accident and determine who is liable.
How Much is My Injury Worth?
The Scottish Court will determine your compensation after reviewing the total amount of losses you have sustained. You can claim compensation for all losses including non-financial losses such as loss of quality of life or pain and suffering.
These non-economic losses are called general damages. Special damages are financial losses that resulted from your accident such as property damages and medical bills. The court will examine all of this information along with the Judicial Colleges Guidelines and determine the total amount of compensation you are eligible to receive.
How Claim Solutions Scotland Ltd can Help
Our claim specialists are ready to guide you on the most effective compensation strategy to follow. Your claim will be assigned a personal advisor who will review your individual circumstances and give you a run down on what to expect as you move your claim forward.
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