Developing a work-related upper limb disorder, such as hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), can be severely debilitating. If you’ve been diagnosed with a WRULD caused by your work, you could be entitled to claim.
What is an example of work-related upper limb disorders?
Work-related upper limb disorders (WRULD) can be painful and debilitating, making it difficult to continue working, participating in social activities, or even carrying out day-to-day routines.
Examples of common work-related upper limb disorders that could result in a claim for compensation include:
Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS): an injury caused by overuse of vibrating machinery that causes damage the nerves, muscles, joints, ligaments and even the blood vessels in your hand, wrist, and forearm.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: often caused by vibrating work tools or repetitive twisting of the wrist, this is a pressure on a nerve in your wrist which causes tingling, numbness and pain in your hand and fingers
Tenosynovitis: repetitive motion can cause inflammation of the protective membrane that surrounds your tendons, causing pain and making it hard to move your wrist
Tennis elbow: this causes pain around the outside of your elbow, which can make it difficult to move your arm, lift objects and affect your sleep
It is crucial that those who undertake activities that could result in WRULDs are protected by their employer. Where this is not the case, or your employer fails in their responsibility to take all reasonable steps to keep you safe, you could be entitled to make a claim for compensation.
Am I at risk of a work-related upper limb disorder?
Workers in the following industries can be most susceptible to these injuries:
Construction
Manufacturing
Automotive
Agriculture and farming
Engineering
Mining and quarry excavation
Infrastructure building and maintenance (such as road and rail)
Under UK law, your employer is under a duty to take reasonable steps to protect your health and safety in your workplace, wherever that is, as set out in regulations such as the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 which contain the law on limits of exposure to vibration and actions employers can take to reduce the risk of injury for employees. If your employer has failed in their duty to protect you, they could be found responsible for your injury, and you could be entitled to make a claim for compensation.
How do I make a work-related upper limb disorder claim?
If you believe that your injury was caused by – or worsened due to — employer negligence, you could be entitled to make a WRULD claim. To do so successfully, we will need to prove that your employer has failed in their duty to protect your health in their workplace, and that this failure then caused or contributed to your injuries.
To start a claim, simply give our team a call on 0330 041 5869 or request a call back. We’ll ask you a few questions to establish what has happened and, if we think you have a claim, we’ll get started straight away. We’ll explain the claims process in detail, so you always know what is happening and what is required at each stage, and we will work with you to start collecting all the evidence relevant to your case.
Throughout your claim, your solicitor will be on hand to answer any questions and provide compassionate support – from expertly handing the legal process to helping you access any rehabilitation or treatment you may require for your injury.
To learn more about making a work-related upper limb disorder claim, or a HAVS claim, get in touch today.
Why choose Slater and Gordon?
Work-related upper limb disorders and HAVS claims are a specialised area of the law, and you should seek advice from a lawyer with genuine experience in this complex area of the law and a track record of successful claims. Slater and Gordon has a team of specialist solicitors in every area of industrial disease compensation claims.
We are immensely proud to have a team of highly acclaimed industrial injury solicitors here at Slater and Gordon. With many decades of experience across the team, many of our solicitors are accredited by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) as industrial disease specialists, and are highly ranked in prestigious independent legal guides including Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500.
We understand the impact a diagnosis of an upper limb disorder can have on individuals and their families, and we work hard to provide the best possible support to our clients, from legal expertise to access to rehabilitation and treatment. Whatever you need, we’re here to help.
We are an award winning law firm and have a dedicated team of industrial disease solicitors to advise and guide you – no matter how complex your situation may be.
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Frequently asked questions about work-related upper limb disorders
What can employees do to reduce the risk of work-related upper limb disorders?
In industries and occupations where the risk of work-related upper limb disorders is higher, such as manufacturing and construction, employers should take steps to reduce risk wherever possible. This can include limiting the amount of time spent doing the same task and providing proper health and safety training around proper posture and how to handle machinery.
Can I be fired for making a WRULD claim against my employer?
No. Employers have a legal duty to ensure the safety of you and your colleagues while you work, and where they fail in this responsibility, you are entitled to make a claim for any injury or illness caused by their negligence. It is against the law for employers to dismiss employees who make a claim against their business for a personal injury, though we understand that this can be a cause for concern for many employees.
For more information, or to discuss your case with a member of our team, contact us on 0330 041 5869 or request a call back using our online form.
Is there a time limit for making a WRULD or HAVS claim?
Generally speaking, any claim for industrial injury, including Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) and other upper limb disorders, must be submitted within three years of the date you became aware of your injury.
We strongly encourage you to speak to our team to discuss your claim as soon as possible to give us the best chance to secure the information and evidence we will need to be able to progress your claim as a priority.
How much could I receive in work-related upper limb disorder compensation?
To advise you definitively on the possible level of compensation that may be recovered on your behalf, we will need to investigate the circumstances of your claim and obtain evidence on your behalf. The level of compensation awarded is dependent upon a range of different factors, including your specific financial losses, mobility equipment needed, and the level of care required to support you in connection with your injury.
To find out more about how much compensation you could be awarded, speak to our specialist WRULD solicitors; they’ll ask a few questions, and will be able to tell you if they think you have a case and what the next steps will be to better understand and provide detailed advice about the value of your case.
Can I make a No Win No Fee claim?
We know that the cost of pursuing legal action can be daunting, which is why our industrial disease clients are represented under No Win No Fee agreements. This means that there are no upfront costs to you, and no fees to pay if your case is unsuccessful.
To learn more about how to start a claim, contact our occupational cancer specialists today on 0330 041 5869 or reach out online.
Really helpful and always on the other side of the phone if needed. Quick and easy service. Ashley
Excellent communication, in constant contact with the latest info regarding your case. David
Everything is moving along quickly and smoothly. Good professional service I'm glad I chose Slater and Gordon. Kenny Jackson