Manual Handling Accident Claims

Now isolate the area of your body that was injured...

• Brain Injury
• Hair
• Eye
• Ear
• Nose
• Cheek
• Jaw
• Teeth

• Neck
• Chest
• Shoulder
• Back

• Arm
• Elbow

• Hand
• Wrist

• Leg
• Knee
• Hip & Pelvis

• Foot
• Ankle

Choose the type of injury...

• Minor brain or head injury In these cases brain damage, if any, will be minimal.
• Minor brain damage Where a good recovery has been made but symptoms such as poor concentration and memory problems continue.
• Moderate brain damage Where ability to work is reduced and there is a risk of epilepsy.
• Severe brain damage The injured person is very seriously disabled and is dependent on others.
• Epilepsy Epilepsy has been caused as a consequence of the injury.
• Psychiatric damage Affecting the ability to cope with life and/or work or affecting relationships with family and friends.
• Moderate PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) The injured person largely recovers within two years.
• Severe PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Injury causes effects that cause significant disability for the foreseeable future, or permanently.

• Damage to hair In consequence of defective permanent waving etc. where effects are dermatitis or hair loss leading to distress and effects on social life.
• Less serious damage to hair Where hair has been pulled out leaving bald patches, or stress-induced alopecia with full recovery within two years.

• Minor eye injury Resulting in pain and temporary interference with vision.
• Minor but permanent damage Permanent impairment of vision in one or both eyes.
• Loss of sight in one eye & reduced vision in the other Total loss of sight in one eye and reduced vision or other problems with the other eye
• Loss of sight in one eye with little or no damage to the other eye Total loss of sight in one eye only.
• Total loss of one eye
• Total blindness

• Occasional or mild tinnitus Mild tinnitus with some hearing loss
• Moderate tinnitus With noise induced hearing loss, or moderate to severe tinnitus, or noise induced hearing loss alone.
• Severe tinnitus With noise induced hearing loss
• Loss of hearing in one ear With or without associated problems such as tinnitus, dizziness or headaches.
• Total deafness With or without the speech being affected, or tinnitus.

• Loss of smell
• Loss of taste
• Simple undisplaced fracture Full recovery with no surgery required.
• Displaced fracture requiring surgery Where recovery is complete after surgery
• Serious or multiple fractures Injuries requiring a number of operations and/or resulting in permanent damage.

• Simple fracture, no surgery required Simple fracture of the cheekbone, which will fully recover without surgery.
• Simple fracture requiring surgery Simple fracture of the cheekbone requiring some reconstructive surgery, but with full recovery and little or no cosmetic effects.
• Serious fractures requiring surgery Serious fractures causing lasting effects such as burning/prickling sensation or an element of disfigurement.

• Simple fracture Requiring immobilisation but recovery is complete.
• Serious fracture Serious injury causing permanent damage, such as difficulty eating or opening the mouth.
• Multiple fractures Very serious multiple fractures requiring prolonged treatment. Permanent effects such as severe pain, restricted eating.

• Loss of or damage to back teeth Assessed per tooth.
• Loss of or serious damage to one front tooth Single tooth only.
• Loss of or serious damage to two front teeth
• Loss of or serious damage to several front teeth
• Significant, chronic tooth pain Extends over a number of years, including significant deterioration of overall condition of the teeth.

• Whiplash Where full recovery takes place between nine months and one year.
• Moderate neck injury Fractures or dislocations which cause severe immediate symptoms and chronic conditions, leading to impaired function or limitation of activities.
• Severe neck injury Injuries usually involving serious fractures or disc damage leading to disability, such as substantial loss of movement or loss of function in one or more limbs.

• Lung cancer Caused by asbestos
• Asbestosis Varying levels of respiratory disability and reduced lung function (1-10% and in excess of 10%)
• Mesothelioma Severe pain and impairment of the pleura (lung lining) or the peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity), affecting function and quality of life.
• Pleural thickening Causing respiratory disability attributed to asbestos exposure.
• Traumatic injury to chest, lungs or heart Causing permanent damage, impairment of function, physical disability and reduction of life expectancy.

• Minor shoulder injury Such as soft tissue damage causing considerable pain but recovery almost complete within two years.
• Moderate shoulder injury Such as frozen shoulder causing limitation of movement and discomfort for up to two years.
• Dislocated shoulder Causing pain in shoulder and neck, aching in elbow, weakness of arm and hand.
• Severe shoulder injury Involving damage to the brachial plexus and resulting in significant disability.
• Fracture of clavicle (collarbone) Temporary or permanent disability as a result of a fracture.

• Minor back injury Such as strains, sprains, disc prolapses and soft tissue injuries.
• Moderate back injury Such as disturbances of ligaments and muscles causing backache, or compression fracture.
• Severe back injury Injuries causing severe pain and disability, including impaired bladder, bowel and sexual function.

• Simple fracture of the forearm
• Serious fractures to one or both forearms Resulting in significant or permanent disability
• Loss of one arm - amputated at the shoulder
• Loss of one arm - amputated above the elbow
• Loss of one arm - amputated below the elbow
• Loss of both arms

• Minor or moderate elbow injury Most elbow injuries such as simple fractures, laceration and tennis elbow, not resulting in permanent damage or impairment.
• Serious elbow injury Injuries causing impairment of function but not involving major surgery or significant disabilty
• Severely disabling elbow injury

• Minor hand injury Injuries such as deep lacerations, soft tissue wounds or crush injuries, all recovering within six months.
• Severely fractured fingers Resulting in impairment of grip or reduced mechanical function. Partial amputations resulting in deformity.
• Thumb injury - serious or very serious Injuries such as a thumb being severed and re-attached, leaving it with little use, amputation of the tip or at the joint of the thumb. Nerve damage or fracture resulting in impaired grip or dexterity.
• Loss of thumb
• Amputation of little finger
• Amputation of index or middle finger Amputation resulting in very little use and weak grip.
• Loss of one hand Amputation due to crush injuries, or loss of a significant part of the hand due to traumatic injury.
• Loss of both hands Serious injury resulting in extensive damage to both hands, effectively leaving them with little use.
• Vibration White Finger (VWF or HAVS) Caused by repeated vibration, damage to hands including impaired grip, dexterity and frequent pain.

• Minor wrist injury Such as an uncomplicated fracture with full or virtual recovery.
• Serious wrist injury Injuries resulting in significant permanent disability, but some useful movement remains.
• Moderate wrist injury Injuries causing some permanent disability, such as persistent pain and stiffness.
• Severe wrist injury Resulting in complete loss of function in the wrist, for example when an arthrodesis has been performed.

• Simple leg fracture Such as a broken femur, tibia or fibular
• Serious leg injury Serious fracture or injuries to joints or ligaments, scarring, instability and lengthy treatment required.
• Severe fracture Fractures where a full recovery is not made.
• Amputation of leg - below the knee Loss of a leg below the knee
• Amputation of leg - above the knee Loss of a leg above the knee
• Loss of both legs Both legs being lost above the knee, below the knee, or where one leg has been lost above the knee and the other below.

• Moderate knee injury Torn cartilage or meniscus, laceration, twisting and bruising. May be full recovery, or continued aches and pains.
• Less severe knee injury Injury or damage causing mild disability or continuing pain, discomfort or limited movement that may require future surgery.
• Severe knee injury Fractures, joint or ligament damage causing constant pain, impairing movement and agility. Requiring prolonged treatment, the injured person will be prone to osteoarthritis.

• Minor injury to pelvis or hip Including fractures where there is full recovery within two years.
• Moderate injury to hip or pelvis Significant injury but any permanent disability is not major. Injury may require a hip replacement.
• Severe injury to hip or pelvis Such as extensive fractures resulting in substantial disabilities.

• Minor foot injury Simple metatarsal fractures, ruptured ligaments.
• Moderate foot injury Displaced metatarsal fractures resulting in permanent deformity.
• Severe foot injury Fractures to feet resulting in restricted mobility and /or considerable continuing pain.
• Loss of one foot
• Loss of both feet
• Severe injury to toes Crush or multiple fractures to two or more toes, resulting in permanent disability.
• Amputation of the big toe
• Amputation of all toes

• Minor ankle injury Undisplaced fractures, sprains and ligament injuries.
• Moderate ankle injury For fractures and ligament tears resulting in moderate disability, such as difficulty walking on uneven ground or on stairs.
• Severe ankle injury Injuries involving long periods of treatment, long period in plaster and some permanent disability.