Soft tissue injuries claims

Soft tissue injuries can occur in any environment which includes the workplace. They can range from mild through to severe and have a traumatic effect upon the injured person and their family.

If you have sustained a soft tissue injury due to an accident at work which was not your fault then you may be entitled to compensation.

What causes a soft tissue injury?

If this happens at work then it is usually due to the following:

• A slip or trip at work
• Lifting or carrying a load
• Operating machinery

These accidents cause sprains, strains, dislocations and muscle/tendon/ligament damage. Some of these injuries may be relatively mild but others can result in a lifelong disability.

Employers have a duty of care to protect their employees against the risk of a soft tissue injury but if this fails then they are liable for compensation.

Employer responsibility

There are Health and Safety Regulations which are designed for the protection of employees against workplace accidents and injuries.

These regulations include information on manual handling and other safety practices which if implemented will minimise the risk of an injury such as soft tissue damage.

Employers have a legal responsibility to adopt these regulations and ensure that their employees are made fully aware of them. Their employees should be suitable training and provided with safety equipment/clothing if required.

If none of this is implemented or is inadequate then their employees are a serious risk of an injury.

The effects of an injury can be devastating.

Effects of a soft tissue injury

A work related injury is a physically and mentally traumatic experience which can have long term effects. There is the pain of the injury to deal with but also there may be additional expenses such as specialist nursing care, hospital treatment, and medication and support services such as physiotherapy.

These are all vital for your recovery but cost time and money. You may be fortunate to receive help from the State but if not then you and your family have to bear the cost of these.

This only adds to your stress and anxiety.

Your family has to deal with the consequences of your injury both now and in the future. If this injury has resulted in a permanent disability then you and your family have to come to terms with your altered condition.

It is not uncommon for people in this situation to suffer from depression as a result.

Compensation cannot undo any of this but it can have a positive effect in that it can be used to cover the costs of expenses such as nursing care or physiotherapy and improve your quality of life.

Making a claim for compensation for a soft tissue injury

Find a personal injury lawyer or solicitor who has a great deal of expertise in regard to claims for soft tissue injuries. He or she will be experienced and knowledgeable about workplace injuries and will advise you accordingly.

He/she will assess your claim to determine if there are suitable grounds for proceeding and what evidence there is to support it. If your claim is taken on then he/she will help and advise you throughout the process.

The lawyer will also discuss the likely outcome with you.

Your claim should be handled with sensitivity and an awareness of the effect this injury has had upon you and your quality of life. A degree of professionalism should be maintained at all times.

For more information, visit our making a claim for compensation section.

Time limit for claiming compensation for a soft tissue injury

Personal injury claims have a 3 year time limit which starts from the date of the accident or injury.

But this varies in a few types of claims, for example industrial diseases such as asbestosis.

Confirm this time limit with your lawyer or solicitor.