Suffering any sort of injury in the workplace can be stressful and even a minor problem can put you out of action for a number of days. If you slipped and as a consequence suffered a pulled muscle at work, it could mean you are unable to move around as you normally would be able to and this type of injury could also lead to long-term pain and discomfort.
If you were involved in an accident at work and sustained a pulled muscle that left you unable to work, you could be entitled to claim compensation for the pain, suffering and out of pocket you had to cope with as a result of being off work during your recovery. To find out more about pulled muscle at work claims, please read on.
What is the Definition of a Pulled Muscle Injury?
You can suffer a muscle injury in a variety of ways and it typically involves either straining or spraining a muscle with the former being commonly referred to as someone “pulling a muscle”. A sprained muscle, on the other hand, is when you tear, stretch or twist one or more muscles. The result of either a strain or a sprain is that you would be in a lot of discomfort and the affected muscle would remain weaker for the duration of your recovery.
With this said, there are other types of muscle injuries which are a lot more serious which ends up causing a lot of damage to the tiny blood vessels that are found inside your muscles. As a result, there is localised internal bleeding which can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. This type of muscle injury can also cause long-term damage.
Although the majority of muscle injuries are deemed relatively minor, they are, none the less. extremely painful. Pulled muscle recovery time can take anything from a few days to several weeks, depending on the damage that’s been done and how your movement has been negatively impacted. In some instances, as previously mentioned a pulled muscle can lead to long-term discomfort because of the damage sustained and as a result, it can prevent you from doing the things you enjoy doing. This, in turn, can cause a tremendous amount of anxiety and stress.
Common Causes of Pulled Muscle Injuries in the Workplace
You can pull a muscle a work in a variety of ways which includes if you are involved in any of the following:
- Lifting heavier items
- Trauma to an area of your body
- You slip, trip or fall
If you were in an accident at work and sustained a pulled muscle, you could be entitled to compensation and if your injuries are such that they prevent you from working for a longer period of time, the best thing to do is to seek advice from an accident at work lawyer.
The Different Pulled Muscle Injuries You Could Sustain in an Accident at Work
When it comes to the most common cause of workplace accident that results in a pulled muscle injury is when you slip, trip and fall. This type of accident at work is commonplace and you can suffer a number of injuries which includes the following:
- A pulled muscle in your back
- A pulled muscle in your leg
- Pulled muscles in your neck and shoulders
- Pulled muscles in your groin area
- Pulled muscles in your knees
- A pulled muscle in your ankle
- Pulled muscles in your forearms and elbows
This type of musculoskeletal injury can cause a lot of pain and could result in you having a lot of time off work. If you suffered any sort of muscle injury whether you slipped on a wet floor, were wearing the wrong type of footwear or you tripped over something that was left out instead of having been put away, you could be entitled to claim compensation providing you can prove the accident at work occurred through no fault of your own and the incident happened in the last 3 years.
What are the Consequences of a Pulled Muscle Injury?
If you suffered a pulled muscle, the injury might appear to be minor at first, but the symptoms could get a lot worse as time progresses even if you are given painkillers to ease the pain and discomfort you are experiencing. If you pulled a muscle in your back, neck or any other part of your body, you should seek medical advice sooner rather than later to prevent further damage being done. You may find that you have to take several weeks off work so that you can make a full recovery.
Are There Different Types of Pulled Muscle Injuries?
There are various types of pulled muscle injuries which you can sustain while at work with some being minor whereas others are a lot more serious. If not diagnosed and treated correctly, you may find that the symptoms and discomfort can last for weeks, months and in very severe cases, years. The various types of muscles injuries you could suffer in the workplace are detailed below:
- Muscle Cramp – this type of injury can happen in any of the muscles found in your body and it is when a muscle contracts and then does not relax. Muscle cramp can be very painful and can last for anything from a few seconds to several minutes
- A muscle strain – this type of injury involves a muscle being torn or stretched and it can negatively impact the connective tendon. It is the type of injury that may even require that you undergo corrective surgery to repair the damage that has been done. You can suffer a muscle strain in any of the muscles found in your body
- A muscle contusion – this type of injury to a muscle occurs through trauma that causes heavy bruising due to the small blood vessels found in an affected muscles rupturing. It is an extremely painful muscle injury that could cause long-term damage
- A muscle rupture – this type of injury to a muscle is rare, but when it does happen, it is extremely painful and can result in swelling as well as distortion due to the tissue separation
If you were involved in an accident at work and suffered a pulled muscle that meant you were off work for a period of time, you should discuss your case with a solicitor who would offer essential advice on whether you have a strong case against a negligent employer. This would ensure you receive the pulled muscle compensation you rightly deserve for your pain and suffering.
What Level of Compensation is Awarded for a Pulled Muscle at Work?
Providing you can prove that you sustained a pulled muscle through no fault of your own and the accident at work that left with the injury happened in the last 3 years, you could be entitled to file an accident at work claim against your employer. The amount of compensation you may be awarded if your claim is upheld would depend on the severity of your pulled muscle injury and how it negatively impacts your ability to work and to carry out normal daily tasks. This includes whether your injury prevents you from driving and enjoying activities that you used to do. Another factor that would be taken into consideration is whether your symptoms are long-term and whether you are able to work again.
How Do You Prove Liability for a Pulled Muscle at Work?
If you were involved in a workplace incident that left you with a pulled muscle, whether the injury was minor or a lot more severe, and you are considering filing for compensation, you would have to prove that the incident occurred through no fault of your own. You would have to provide evidence that your employer was negligent in their duty to keep a work area safe or that the accident occurred through the error or misjudgement of a work colleague.
With this said, even if you believe you may be responsible for having suffered a pulled muscle at work, you should still discuss the circumstances surrounding the incident with a solicitor who specialises in accident at work claims. You may find that your employer could be deemed fully or partly responsible for your injuries.
Would I Lose My Job For Filing an Accident Claim Against My Employer?
By law, an employer cannot show you the door because you seek compensation from them for injuries you sustained in an accident at work. By law, you have the right to file a pulled muscle claim against your employer providing you have enough evidence that the accident occurred through no fault of your own. If an employer treats you detrimentally or they fire you because you file an accident at work claim against them, you could be entitled to file a detriment claim and an unfair dismissal claim too.
What are My Rights Following an Accident at Work?
An employee’s rights are highly protected in the UK and this is just as true following an accident at work that results in injury. Your rights after you have been injured in an accident at work are as follows:
- You can seek compensation for your injuries from your employer
- Your job is safe even when you file an accident at work claim against your employer
Should your employer make your life difficult or threaten to sack you, it is important to contact a lawyer who specialises in employment law because you could be entitled to file both a detriment and an unfair dismissal claim against your employer too.
Would a Solicitor Take on My Pulled Muscle at Work Claim on a No Win No Fee Basis?
A solicitor would offer a free, no obligation, initial consultation to assess whether you have a strong case against a negligent employer before deciding to work on your case on a No Win No Fee basis. Having assessed your claim, a No Win No Fee lawyer would start working on your claim after having signed a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) with you and they would do so without asking for any fees from the outset of handling your case. The solicitor would communicate on your behalf with your employer and their insurance providers, bearing in mind that it is the insurers who would handle your case and pay out the compensation you are awarded rather than your employer directly.
The “success fee” that would be payable on a successful pulled muscle at work claim, would be deducted directly from the amount you are awarded and it is worth noting that the percentage payable would not be greater than 25% of the total amount you receive whether your case goes to court or the insurance provider chooses to offer an out of court settlement, bearing in mind that the majority of accident at claims never go before a judge.