Care worker injury compensation claim solicitors

What is a care worker?

You might be surprised to know that the definition of a 'care worker' is broad. As well as covering healthcare assistants working for the NHS and care homes, it also covers those who work voluntarily, for charities or for private individuals.

Carers can work inside a home and in the community. Some typical care roles include:

• Bathing, washing and helping others to get dressed.
• Helping people to eat and drink.
• Monitoring medical conditions by taking people's blood pressure, temperature and weight or even helping to change dressings.
• Helping to administer medication.
• Booking and escorting people to appointments.
• Helping people with social or physical activities.

What is the most common injury for healthcare workers?

Care workers have demanding jobs. Some of the most common accidents and injuries include:

• Manual handling injuries - If you have to lift and move the person whom you're helping, this can result in sprains and strains if the correct equipment is not available or the incorrect techniques are used.
• Repetitive strain injuries - Doing the same tasks day each day can lead to repetitive strain injuries.
• Physical assaults
• Burns or scalds - Many carers will be responsible for making hot food or drink. With this comes the potential for burns or scalds.
• Slips, trips and falls - This could be visiting a patient in the community, at the hospital or even in a car park.
• Needlestick injuries - Healthcare workers must handle sharp items which can occasionally be contaminated. These puncture wounds are called needlestick injuries.
• Contact dermatitis - Lack of appropriate PPE can lead to contact dermatitis and other uncomfortable skin conditions.

What are the employer's responsibilities for care workers?

All carers deserve to be protected while at work, so employers are legally obligated to take precautions to ensure the safety of carers.

The responsibility of your employer is set out in multiple regulations, including:

• The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 - Your employer has a duty of care to protect the health, safety and welfare of all carers. If your employer fails to do this, they are liable for your injury.
• The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) - Employers have a duty to ensure that employees are supervised and trained to carry out manual operations safely. They are also required to provide necessary equipment like hoists and stair lifts.
• Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulation 2022 - Your employer must provide you with appropriate PPE to protect against blood and illnesses from a patient.

If your employer fails to follow the above and you suffer from an accident or injury, they're to blame for the incident.

Can I make a claim if I'm assaulted at work?

There's a common misconception that, as a carer, you'll be working with frail patients but that isn't always the case.

Many carers with dementia, Alzheimer's or mental health conditions can be unpredictable at times, with some displaying aggressive or challenging behaviour.

Carers are often in the firing line when it comes to these patients, which means that, unfortunately, assaults on care workers aren't uncommon.

Although employers can't completely eradicate the risk of carers getting attacked, they should take steps to reduce your risk of harm. Your employer should:

• Implement a policy that explains how to manage aggressive or unpredictable patients.
• Provide adequate training to help carers to spot pre-assault signs.
• Train carers on how to defuse a challenging situation.
• Ensure that there is a procedure whereby carers can get assistance quickly if patients are showing signs of distress.

We know how distressing it can be if you're a carer who's been attacked at work so we don't believe that you should suffer the consequences in silence. If you don't believe that your employer has taken reasonable steps to protect you at work, you might be able to make a carer injury compensation claim.

Call us on or request a call back at a convenient time to discuss your case. We'll listen to your story and let you know whether we think that you have a successful case on your hands.

What to do if I'm injured or assaulted at work?

If you're injured or assaulted at work, there are a few things that you need to do:

1. Seek medical attention - No matter how minor you think that the injury is, it's important to get medical help.
2. Report the accident to your manager - If you've been assaulted, you might even need to notify the police of the incident. 
3. Write it down - Check that your employer has made a note of your accident in the accident book.
4. Notify your trades union - If you're part of a trades union, let them know as they can help.
5. Get a witness statement - If a colleague was present, make sure to get a witness statement from them.

If you're unable to do so because of your injuries, a colleague or manager should do this on your behalf.

What should my employer do if I'm injured or assaulted at work?

Your employer must report accidents to the Health and Safety Executive under RIDDOR. They should also make sure that you have the following: 

• Statutory sick pay - If you're unable to work shortly after the accident or attack, your employer should pay you Statutory Sick Pay.
• Disablement benefits - If you're seriously injured and this affects your ability to work in the long term, you might be eligible for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefits.
• Employment rights - As soon as you're able to do so, your employer should discuss your employment rights with you.

How much carer injury compensation can I claim?

If you've had an accident as a carer that wasn't your fault, it's only right that you seek compensation.

How much compensation you'll receive depends on the extent and nature of your injuries, your level of pain and suffering, and the financial impact that the accident has had on your life if you're unable to work or not entitled to full sick pay.

Although it's hard to say how much carer accident compensation you could get without knowing the facts of your case, the ballpark figures are outlined in the Judicial College Guidelines.

To find out how much compensation to which you could be entitled, speak with us. Our team will compassionately listen to the details of your incident during your free, no-obligation consultation. Then, we'll let you know how much carer injury compensation we think that you could get.

To make a carer injury or accident claim, call us on or request a call back at a time to suit. We're here to help.

How can a carer injury solicitor help?

At National Accident Law, we have years of experience in carer injury and accident compensation claims. Whether you've been assaulted or have suffered from an unfortunate accident that wasn't your fault, we'll passionately fight your corner to get you the compensation that you deserve. We'll handle your claim, so that you don't have to.

When you're ready, call us on or request a call back to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation. We'll listen to what happened - without judgment - and let you know whether you might have a claim.

Then, it's up to you to decide whether you want to proceed. We'll never pressure you to bring a claim with our carer injury solicitors.