Care Assistant Awarded £8,000 for Back Injury

A care assistant who injured her back while helping an elderly woman from her bed has been awarded £8,000 in compensation.

Mrs Margaret Yates, now 58, worked in a residential care home and was helping to dress the woman when the accident happened.

Mrs Yates had not been given any training in how to lift or dress the residents without causing damage to herself. Had she been taught how to do so safely, her back injury could have been avoided. In the event, she suffered a considerable amount of pain and for some weeks after the accident was unable to carry out ordinary household jobs. Not long afterwards, she was forced to leave her job.

When Mrs Yates first sought compensation for her injury, the owners of the care home were uncooperative. Eventually, legal proceedings were begun and the amount of compensation was agreed.

Employees who are required to carry out lifting as part of their job must be given instruction in safe handling techniques. A failure to provide proper training puts employees at a greater risk of injury.

If you have suffered an injury at work as a result of lack of training, you could be entitled to compensation. We can advise you on any claim.



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