NHS Work Injury Claims – How To Claim Compensation From The NHS

By Ian Morris | Updated November 2nd, 2024

239 questions have been answered on this subject - ask us your question

Quick Answer: When Can NHS Workers Make an Injury Claim?

NHS workers can make a compensation claim when they’ve suffered an injury at work due to employer negligence within the last three years. This includes physical injuries from accidents, psychological injuries from workplace stress, and occupational diseases developed due to working conditions. You must be able to prove that your employer failed in their duty of care and that this failure directly caused your injury. Agency workers, permanent staff, and most contractors are eligible to claim, though different rules may apply to different employment categories.

Key Takeaways

Report the incident immediately through NHS channels
Document all evidence and expenses
Contact our specialist solicitors early
Claims operate on a No Win No Fee basis
Most cases settle without court proceedings
Average settlement time is 12-18 months
NHS Resolution handles claims, not your direct employer

Remember, making a legitimate claim is your legal right and shouldn’t affect your NHS career. Early action and proper documentation significantly increase your chances of a successful claim.

Understanding NHS Worker Injury Claims

Working for the National Health Service comes with unique challenges and risks. While the NHS strives to maintain high safety standards, accidents and injuries can still occur in this demanding healthcare environment. As an NHS employee, you have the legal right to seek compensation if you’ve suffered an injury at work due to negligence or unsafe practices.

Who Can Make a Claim?

A wide range of NHS employees can pursue compensation claims, including:

Nurses and midwives
Doctors and consultants
Healthcare assistants
Porters and maintenance staff
Administrative personnel
Cleaning and catering staff
Paramedics and ambulance crews

Types of Injuries You Can Claim For

NHS workers can experience various workplace injuries that may warrant compensation claims. Understanding these different types of injuries is helpful for recognising when you might have a valid claim.

Physical Injuries

Physical injuries in NHS settings often result from the demanding nature of healthcare work. Common incidents include needlestick injuries, physical attacks by patients and back injuries from patient handling. Slips, trips, and falls remain a significant concern, particularly in busy hospital environments where wet floors or obstacles can create hazards.

Psychological Injuries

Mental health impacts are increasingly recognised as legitimate grounds for psychological damage compensation claims. The high-pressure environment of healthcare work, particularly evident during recent health crises, can lead to:

Work-related stress and anxiety
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Depression from workplace pressures
Burnout from excessive workload

Occupational Diseases

Healthcare workers may also develop conditions directly related to their work environment, including:

Skin conditions from frequent hand washing
Respiratory issues from exposure to harmful substances
Musculoskeletal disorders from repetitive movements
Infectious diseases contracted during patient care

These injuries and conditions can significantly impact both your professional and personal life, potentially leading to lost income, medical expenses, and reduced quality of life. Understanding your rights and the available compensation options is essential for protecting your interests and ensuring proper support during recovery.

NHS Injury Allowance vs Compensation Claims

The NHS offers two distinct paths for injured workers seeking financial support, each serving different purposes and providing varying levels of coverage.

NHS Injury Allowance

The NHS Injury Allowance (IA) is an employer-based scheme designed to provide short-term support. While valuable, it has several limitations:

Coverage tops up earnings to only 85% during sick leave periods
Maximum payment duration is 12 months
Excludes agency workers, GP staff, and dental practitioners
Doesn’t compensate for long-term impacts or additional expenses

Personal Injury Claims

A personal injury claim offers more comprehensive compensation, covering:

Full loss of earnings, both past and future
Medical treatment and rehabilitation costs
Travel expenses related to medical care
Compensation for pain and suffering
Long-term care needs
Impact on pension and future earnings

Unlike the Injury Allowance, a compensation claim can provide support well beyond the initial recovery period, making it particularly valuable for those with serious or long-term injuries.

Making a Successful NHS Worker Claim

Successfully pursuing an NHS workplace injury claim requires careful attention to detail and proper documentation from the outset. Understanding the key requirements and following essential steps can significantly improve your chances of a successful outcome.

Essential Requirements

To establish a valid claim, you must demonstrate:

The incident occurred within the last three years
Your employer failed to meet their duty of care
This failure directly resulted in your injury
You suffered measurable losses or damages

Critical Steps for Success

Immediate Actions
- Report the incident through official NHS channels
- Ensure it’s recorded in the accident book
- Take photographs of the accident scene if possible
- Gather contact details of any witnesses
Medical Documentation
- Seek prompt medical attention
- Keep detailed records of all treatments
- Document any referrals or specialist consultations
- Maintain a diary of symptoms and their impact
Evidence Collection
- Save all relevant emails or communications
- Keep receipts for any injury-related expenses
- Document lost working hours and overtime
- Record any impact on daily activities
Professional Support
- Consult with our specialist personal injury solicitors
- Consider joining a relevant union if not already a member
- Maintain communication with occupational health
- Keep your line manager informed of your progress

Following these guidelines while maintaining detailed records of your injury and its impacts will create a strong foundation for your claim. Remember, the goal is not just to secure compensation but to ensure you receive appropriate support for your recovery and any ongoing needs.

Common Grounds for NHS Claims

The NHS, like any employer, has specific legal obligations to protect its workforce, and responsibilities following accidents. When these obligations aren’t met, it creates grounds for compensation claims.

Employer’s Legal Duties

The NHS must provide:

Safe and properly maintained equipment
Adequate training for all tasks
Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
Regular risk assessments
Sufficient staffing levels
Safe working systems and procedures

Common Breaches Leading to Claims

Several recurring situations often form the basis of successful claims:

Inadequate manual handling training for patient transfers
Insufficient staff numbers leading to excessive workload
Faulty or poorly maintained medical equipment
Lack of proper PPE during infectious disease exposure
Unsafe workplace conditions (wet floors, poor lighting)
Failure to implement proper safety protocols

These breaches become particularly significant when they result in preventable injuries. For example, a nurse suffering a back injury due to inadequate lifting equipment or insufficient manual handling training has strong grounds for a claim.

No Win No Fee Legal Process and Support

The legal journey for NHS workplace injury claims follows a structured process designed to protect both employees and the healthcare system.

No Win No Fee Arrangements

Most NHS injury claims operate under Conditional Fee Agreements (No Win No Fee):

No upfront legal costs required
Legal fees only paid if the claim succeeds
Success fee capped at 25% of compensation
Insurance protection against defendant’s costs

The Claims Process Timeline

Initial Consultation
- Free case evaluation
- Assessment of claim validity
- Explanation of funding options
- Discussion of potential compensation
Case Building
- Gathering medical evidence
- Collecting witness statements
- Obtaining occupational health records
- Documenting financial losses
Claim Submission
- Formal letter of claim to NHS Resolution
- Three-month response period
- Negotiation phase begins
- Settlement discussions
Resolution
- Most cases settle without court proceedings
- Average resolution time: 12-18 months
- Option for court hearing if necessary
- Compensation payment arrangements

Support During the Process

Throughout your claim, you’ll receive regular case updates, guidance on medical assessments, support with paperwork and documentation, and access to rehabilitation services when needed.

This structured approach ensures your claim progresses efficiently while maximising your chances of a fair settlement. Remember, the process is designed to be as stress-free as possible, allowing you to focus on recovery while legal professionals handle your case.

Claim Statistics and Success Rates

Understanding the statistical landscape of NHS workplace injury claims provides valuable context for those considering legal action. Recent data reveals important trends and patterns in claim outcomes.

Latest NHS Claims Data

The 2023/34 NHS Resolution annual report shows:

Total number of employer liability claims: 13,784 in 2023/24
Average settlement value: £28,000 for non-clinical claims
Resolution timeframe: 81% settled within 18 months
Court proceedings: Only 19% require formal litigation

Common claim categories – the distribution of workplace injury claims:

Manual handling injuries: 40%
Slip and trip accidents: 25%
Equipment-related injuries: 15%
Needlestick injuries: 10%
Stress-related claims: 10%

These statistics demonstrate that while workplace injuries remain a concern, the claims process is well-established with a high rate of successful resolutions through negotiation rather than court proceedings.

Protecting Your Employment Rights

Many NHS employees worry about the potential impact of making a claim on their career. Understanding your employment rights is essential for making an informed decision about pursuing compensation.

Legal Protection

The law provides clear safeguards:

Protection against unfair dismissal
Right to pursue legitimate claims
Protection against discrimination
Right to union representation

Professional Considerations

To maintain professional standards during your claim:

Continue following workplace protocols
Maintain professional communication
Document any concerns about treatment
Keep union representatives informed

Remember, making a legitimate claim is your legal right, and exercising this right should not negatively impact your NHS career. The process is designed to ensure fair compensation while protecting your professional standing within the organisation.

Compensation Amounts and Calculations

Understanding how compensation is calculated helps set realistic expectations for your NHS workplace injury claim. Awards typically combine both general and special damages to ensure comprehensive coverage of all losses.

General Damages

These cover pain, suffering, and loss of amenity:

Minor back injuries: £7,410 to £11,730
Moderate psychiatric damage: £5,500 to £17,900
Serious shoulder injuries: £11,980 to £18,020
Carpal tunnel syndrome: £20,560 to £21,700
Complex PTSD: £56,180 to £94,470

Special Damages

Compensation for financial losses includes:

Lost earnings and overtime
Medical treatment costs
Travel expenses
Care and assistance
Future loss of earnings
Pension impact
Rehabilitation costs

The final compensation amount depends on various factors, including injury severity, recovery time, and long-term impact on your ability to work and quality of life.

At Direct2Compensation we have successfully assisted a number of NHS employees and other care workers and support workers with claims for compensations after accidents at work.

You can call our friendly and helpful staff on 01225 430285 or get your claim started online today. We take pride in making sure that you feel understood and look forward to helping you make your claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

239 questions have been answered on this subject - ask us your question

Comments & Questions

Read on for questions and advice about claiming, plus nhs injury claim examples...

I went in to a clinical room that is very small it had a trolley and 2 chairs in it, normally and realistically it should have only had one chair in order to be able to move around. When I turn around to leave i caught my foot in the second chair cause me to fall hurting my shoulder. Can I claim for money i lost not being able to work for a week?

If you have had an accident at work because a working area has been left in a hazardous state with too many items in it and potential tripping hazards, you have a right to claim compensation for your injuries and loss of income.

I work as a theatre nurse doing anaesthetics. On this occasion, I went to wash my hands, turned around, and someone had put a drip stand on wheels behind me, which resulted in me falling on my cocyx and suffering severe pain.
Consequently I had to be off work for several weeks and am now looking at retirement as a result of this fall.

Clearly the injuries you have sustained in the accident you had at work were not caused through your own fault. Whether or not there is a strong defence that can be made by your employers insurers should you pursue a claim, will only be known once a claim is made. Given the severity of the injury you sustained and the impact it is having on your life, it would be reasonable and fair to further investigate this claim for you.

I work in hospital Kitchen. I had to go out to dispose of waste in the back yard waste area. It is surrounded by a big tall iron fence. To get to the disposal bins you have to get through the iron gates. I attempted to open iron gate and part of iron gate dropped onto my finger. Blood gushed everywhere and my finger went kind of black. I was told to go to accident and emergency, which I did. I had x rays but nothing is broken. So my finger though is bandaged up and I’m unable to use it. Also told not to get bandage wet. I was at work today in the hospital kitchen and told I can not work in the kitchen until my injury has healed. This is because you need to wear gloves in kitchen. Basically, can I claim anything?

There is a possible claim for accident at work injury compensation that you could pursue. To succeed, we’d need to demonstrate that the iron gate was hazardous to use given the work required and that it was negligent to expect you to open the gate whilst carrying kitchen waste.

We would be happy to look further in to this claim for you. It is important that you make sure an accident report is completed in your department and if possible, take a photograph of the gate in question. If you cannot work in the kitchen whilst you recover and have to wear the dressing, could you perhaps see if there are alternative duties you can perform elsewhere within the workplace?

Hi, I’m 27 and have been working for the NHS for nearly 10 years in admin (always full time and usually spend the majority of my day seated at a desk). I have been diagnosed with early degenerative disk disease (possibly due to continued seated positions etc.) I was off work sick for several months last year and returned to work Jan 2019 after going for an MRI, having MSK physio and seeing occupational health who advised on an ergonomic chair and possible sit-stand desk to relieve pressure on my back. However, several months later this STILL hasn’t been sorted and I am now off work sick AGAIN (practically bed bound and on more strong medication AGAIN i.e. tramadol etc. as I can only stand and lie down atm and cannot sit in a seated position for more then a few minutes without my back muscles tightening etc.) so am now in chronic pain and am now (from this month May) going into half sick pay. However, I don’t believe this is my fault as surely if the recommended measures were in place when I returned to work back in January, I may not have been off sick now so would not be going into half sick pay…?? Where do you think I stand with this and do you think its worth pursuing as thinking about it now my back problem may even have been the result of my job in admin and not having the right measures in place i.e. doing constant overtime, not having regular breaks, not having the right equipment such as chairs etc. Thanks in advance for your help and advice and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

You describe an interesting and ‘unusual’ possible claim. In the interests of being fully honest, I do not know whether or not you would be able to succeed with such a claim in that you may not be able to prove that the back condition you are suffering with was fully caused by your employer. However, it seems that qualified people (Occ Health) have made recommendations that have not been acted upon by your employer. As such, it is perfectly reasonable for you to look further in to this and we would gladly assist with such investigations.

Please use the ‘start a claim’ page of our website to make further contact so that we can present further details of your situation to some of our expert specialist Solicitors and allow them to advise you further on this matter.

I had an accident at work involving a patient trolley running over my right foot yesterday. I informed my supervisor and was told to do an xray as I work in the imaging dept. Xray did not show any fracture and the radiologist told me that it was not necessary to go to the A+E doctor. I had some pain at the time over the foot , however the pain seemed to have moved to my ankle and hind foot instead. I did not goto work the next day as my foot was still sore. However there was no swelling or bruising but my shoe was broken due to to the accident. Kindly advise if I should take this up with my management. I have also booked an appointment to see my GP in the next week.

Having now spoken with you, our initial view is that your enquiry should be taken further as the space within the workplace and the equipment being used would appear to be an accident waiting to happen.

I have worked for the NHS for over 35 years and am now suffering long-term, severe back pain. I am awaiting my second orthopaedic back operation, to relieve the pain. I am on strong pain killers to enable me to function and I am convinced that it is due to years of lifting heavy patients etc, without the correct equipment being available!
How do I prove this and can I make a successful claim, as, financially, I cannot afford to stop working?

The issue you will face in any claim is proving the causal link between your work and your injury and then establishing that your employer has been negligent and caused the damage to your back through a lack of training or incorrect working practices/equipment.

The first thing to do is to speak with your Doctors to ask them whether they are of the view that your injury is work related and not age related wear and tear.

Hi my mother is working as a registered nurse at a hospital and she fell inside the work premises but just after she had knocked off. Could she be able to claim for work compensation to get her monthly wages as normal since she is not fit to go to work for 6 weeks that the doctor gave her to heal?

Whether or not your mother had finished duty or was still at work is irrelevant in this matter. What does matter is what caused her to fall and whether the cause of the fall can be attributed to negligence. If we can establish that she was tripped due to a hazard or item of disrepair then there is a strong possibility of claiming successfully for compensation for the injuries sustained and any incurred loss of income or costs.

My wife was injured at work in the NHS restraining a mentally ill patient. The restraint is part of the job, however during the restraint the other member of staff restraining the patient let go and refused to help out, meaning she was thrown about struggling to contain them. She was off work with shoulder damage, has returned to work but till in pain with the shoulder injury. The other member of staff admitted they had done this and said he would not do it again. No further action was taken against him, yet she has been left with an injury which affects her sleep patten, left her in pain and has stopped her doing her usual sports. Can the employer be held responsible for the the negligent act of its employee?

An employer has overall responsibility for the actions of employees and in this case, it would certainly make sense to pursue a claim for compensation against the employer.

I work in housekeeping at NHS. Last year December I slipped and fell, there was splatter of water on the floor unknown to me. I was taken to A&E and had 2 x-rays done. My foot was not broken but swollen, as they think I might have injured a tendon. I was given a boot to wear as support. I returned to work letting them know my foot was still hurting when long periods of time on it and been seen by an occupational health nurse who monitors me every 3 months. Unfortunately this Tuesday evening gone 16/04/19 I slipped and fell again on a wet floor while trying to assist a patient who needed help. The patient witnessed the fall and gave me his details if I need a witness. I was taken to A&E and had a scan done on the same foot and also my knee this time as my knee went down hard into the floor. No cracks or broken foot or knee but my knee is swollen and burning and I’m in lots of pain. I’ve been booked off but before I left my supervisor made it sound as if it was my fault because she said I should have anti-slip shoes. A bit upset to that statement as not even the patient could see the water on the floor. Do I have a valid claim?

Please use the ‘start a claim’ page of our website or call our team on 01225430285 as you do have valid claims in both matters you describe. We would be very happy to help you on a No Win No Fee basis to claim compensation for both the injuries you have suffered. Claiming compensation against your employers insurance will not affect your job or your right to continue to work at the same location.

I currently work for the nhs as a domestic. I was scalded on my hand through a broken tap that had been reported several times. Although it was not a serious scald, it still hurt a lot and has left a red mark on my hand and the skin to my hand feels different. I was seen in a&e where it was dressed and had to have a week off work, do i have a case?

You definitely have a valid claim against your employer. When a hazardous or item that poses a risk of injury is reported, an employer has an obligation under the Health and Safety at Work Act to take immediate steps to protect their staff and reduce the risk of injury. In this case, the tap should have been repaired or removed from use until repaired when first reported. The fact that it had been reported several times without any action being taken by the employer indicates employer negligence and I would expect you to succeed with a claim.

We would be very happy to assist you with a claim for this injury.

I’ve worked for the NHS for over 3 years. 7 weeks ago I was carrying something into a room I noticed the door was open but because my arms were full I didn’t notice the box on the floor propping the door open. I walked straight in and fell with some force over the box. My knees took the impact of the fall and are still suffering 7 weeks on. With pockets of fluid on them I am unable to kneel on them. And have lower back pain since the fall. Could I have a claim ?

My initial view is that you do have a valid claim to be made for the injuries you have sustained in your accident at work. The placement of a box within the doorway is a hazard and an obstruction of a walkway, therefore employer liability ought to attach.

Make sure that the details of your accident and injury are recorded with your employer in the accident book – which probably has already been done.

We would be very happy to help you with a claim and invite you to call us on 01225430285 to speak with our staff. Alternatively, if you prefer you can use our online ‘start a claim’ option and we’ll call you.

Hello,

I was wondering if I had any right to a claim. I was working bank staff for NHS and injured my arm while on duty. I was out of work for 6 months, had medical treatment for a few months and now I have had to find employment in another field as I cannot fully manage any heavy lifting or manual handling of patients.
My husband has insisted that I try to file a claim for compensation.

You have a right to claim whether you are bank staff or full time staff. Whether or not you have a valid claim will depend on the cause of your arm injury. We need to know how it happened, what you were doing and whether the employer could have foreseen this and taken action to reduce the risk of it occurring.

Our team will make contact with you to discuss your situation in more detail and help you identify whether or not you can pursue a claim in this matter.

Had a back injury at work in theatres just went in to help theatres to transfer patient. Very large patient unconscious. 2 people on my side and three on the other and to put slide sheet under the patient. I was rolling with my anaesthetist. I normally work in recovery as a Nurse. I am not sure not able to let go the patient after rolled towards me. I Hurt my back. Been off work for nearly five weeks now till get back better.

In the scenario you describe, you may have a valid claim for compensation against your employer for the injury to your back – if it can be demonstrated that you had not had the correct training or guidance in performing the work that caused you to sustain injury.

Given your description of the incident, my initial view is that we should further investigate this matter for you as you may well have a valid claim for accident at work compensation. Please call us on 01225430285 or use the ‘start a claim’ page of our website to make further contact regarding your accident at work.

I work as support staff for the nhs. On the ward I was working there were several confused patients to two staff members one attacked me and now my shoulder is damaged, can I claim?

You have a legal right to make a claim for compensation against your employer if you feel that your injury could have been avoided if the employer had taken appropriate action. In this case, there could be a failure on the employers part to provide the correct ratio of staff to patients and given the nature of the kind of issues the patients you are working with have, it may be that the employer has not acted correctly and placed you at a heightened risk of injury.

Of course, we need to know more before we can say either way for certain, but this scenario is something we have experienced and succeeded with previously. Why not use our ‘start a claim form’ or call us on 01225430285 so that we can look further in to this for you.

Hi I received a shoulder injury at work assisting a confused and aggressive patient. 15 months later I am still waiting for surgery. And now my trust wants to take me to tribunal to dismiss me as I have been off sick so long. Can they do this?

If an employee is unfit to work through illness or injury, an employer must afford them a reasonable time to recover and return to work. If the employee is unable to recover to a condition that enables them to work, the employer has the right to seek to terminate the employment – although they must adhere to the correct statutory due process, hence the tribunal.

Whilst this is upsetting for you, the law would deem it unreasonable for an employer to be forced to retain an employee who is unable to work due to ill health or injury.

With regards to the shoulder injury, have you attempted to make a claim for compensation against the employer for the injury and losses caused to you by the same? Of course, we do not know about the incident, your training, the employers actions etc so it is hard to advise you at this stage, but in theory, if you could succeed with a claim for compensation against the employer, you would be able to recover compensation for your injuries, lost income to date and importantly, recover future lost income if your injury is sufficiently serious that you are left unable to work.

I am an NHS employee, I have been in my post for two and a half years. For the last year I have suffered from pins and needles and a loss of use of my right arm. I noticed this when I was using my laptop and the laptop was broken to I had to sit at a strange angle to use it. I did report this and my two managers where aware of the pain I was experiencing. I eventually lost the use of my right arm completely and was sent for an MRI scan, the scan showed I have a bulging disc in my neck, C6, I am having regular physiotherapy and acupuncture to maintain the use of my arm and help with the pain. I am sure that this injury is a result of faulty equipment allocated to me and I wondered if I would be in a position to claim some compensation. I may end up having to have surgery on my neck to try and alleviate the pain.

It is important that you make sure that any suggestion of the injury being caused by faulty equipment that had previously been reported is noted with your employers. To that end, I would strongly recommend that you make contact with your HR department to make a formal report of this issue with them.

If an employer has failed to remove a risk of injury – including a faulty item such as a laptop – from use, they could be held liable should that item go on to cause an injury. In your case, you have clearly suffered a very nasty injury and if medical experts can agree that the cause is likely to rest with the faulty work equipment, you would have a very strong prospect of succeeding with a claim against your employer.

We are of the view that we should present a claim enquiry on your behalf to our specialist Solicitors in order that they can make a detailed evaluation as to whether or not you can further pursue a claim for compensation. Remember, we work on a fully No Win No Fee basis so it will not cost you a penny to further investigate your rights in this matter and given the extent of the injury you have sustained, making a claim would be a sensible and reasonable course of action.

Hi Ian,
Is it possible to claim for an injury caused by repetitive strain? I am a Mammographer and struggled for months positioning the ladies and felt my shoulders/ arms and hands getting weaker. I thought it would get better but it just got worse.
Then i was off work – for 11 months now as i have severe M.E and had a relapse. Most of that time i was bed ridden. The Sonographer said i was right about the repetitive strain injury but it was bursitis in both shoulders. She also said i shouldn’t go back to that job with those injuries.
I also explained about these injuries and the treatment plan to my supervisor in the monthly meetings i’ve had since i’ve been off work.
I’ve read online that you should report injuries at work with 30 days but tbh as it was an ongoing problem with the positioning of ladies when doing my job i knew there was nothing i could do about it so didn’t report it. I thought it would get better. But it hasn’t it’s just got worse.
I’m now in my second stage and due to have my final hearing where i will be losing my job on ill health because of my M.E and pain.
I have already set the balls in motion by applying for my pension due to ill health.
I’ve been on half pay since May. My last wage will be in November.

Is there anything i can do? Can i claim any compensation in this situation? Or any advice please?

Given the extent of your symptoms and the consequences of the situation (you losing your job), I think your situation would be of interest to our specialist Solicitors.

Your employer does have a duty of care to ensure that you are adequately trained and supported to reduce and minimise the risk of injury at work. It is hard to say at this stage as to whether or not you would succeed with a claim, but I do think we should put this to our Solicitors for you.

I am a community nurse, when on a planned visit I parked my car in the drive area, when I stepped out of the car and headed to the house I slipped and twisted and felt something give in my back. I looked on the ground and noticed I slipped on mud or chicken faeces as the house was located on a chicken farm.
I carried on with the Home visit, and returned to the hospital, I completed an incident form as I was experiencing pain in my right buttock.
A couple of days later the pain had increased in severity, radiating from my right buttock down to my foot. I went to the gp, who felt it was probably muscular damage caused by the slip and twist, and gave me three weeks off.
I returned to work and usual duties as a community nurse, then suddenly approximately two months later the pain returned to the right buttock, radiating down my right leg, causing difficulty in mobilising, I went to the gp, who felt this was not muscular, and MRI has revealed a large slipped disc, which is compressing the nerve. I have been seen by the neuro consultant who has advised to try steroid injection into the spine area causing the problem, but he thinks this may not be successful, and I may need spinal surgery.
I have not been able to return to work, due to severe pain, and poor mobility.
I am concerned I may not be able to return to my job as a community nurse, specialist practitioner.
Can you please advise me regarding making a claim if I am no longer able to work?

You have done the right things so far in ensuring that an incident report was completed with the employer and also seeking medical attention. Therefore, important evidence will be in place to verify the injuries and that they were caused in an accident whilst you were at work.

Whilst your claim is unusual in that the accident happened at a 3rd party site that you were sent to by your employer, we feel that it is worthy of further investigation and we would like to speak with you in order to take a little more information and then get our specialist Solicitors to speak with you and offer expert advice about going forward with your claim for compensation.

Clearly, the injury you have sustained is a serious matter that leaves you facing a long rehabilitation period, possible surgery and even the awful possibility of being unable to return to your profession.

If you would like us to investigate this matter further for you, please call our office on 01225430285. We would initially take some basic information before passing the matter to the right specialist Solicitor with adequate expertise and experience.

I am a nurse and suffered on and off with my back. During a shift 4 weeks ago I was assisting a patient to stand and he collapsed, I instinctively caught him to prevent him banging his head on the sink that was in front on him. I took his whole weight and was immediately in pain. Three days later I was in theatre having my disc removed.

In order to be able to advise you as to whether or not you can make a claim for compensation, we would need to speak with you about your work, what training you have had and find out a little more about your previous back complaint.

We have certainly succeeded with similar claims in the past and would like to see what we can do for you.

I am a nurse that sustained a back injury. I have ongoing problems with this but I am frightened to claim as I can not afford to lose my job. What protection will I have?

Under UK law, any person who believes that their injury was caused due to the negligence of an employer is free to seek to pursue a claim for compensation from their employer without if having any impact on their right to retain their employed position. Simply put, you cannot be dismissed simply for making a claim for compensation as long as you are not acting fraudulently.

In the UK, if an employer were to dismiss an employee for making a claim for compensation the employee would have the right to take further legal action against their employer for unfair dismissal.

If you would like to discuss your back injury and the possibilities of making a claim for compensation with us, please call us on 01225430285.