What is a care worker?
The term “care worker” or “healthcare worker” encompasses a wide range of professionals dedicated to providing care for poorly, vulnerable or disabled people in various settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, charities, or private residences. Care workers may also be referred to as carers, care assistants, nursing home assistants as well as support workers.
The specific responsibilities of a care worker will vary based on their role and the needs of their patients. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Assisting with meal times, ensuring patients receive and consume necessary food and drink.
- Providing personal care, including washing, bathing, and dressing.
- Transporting patients to and from appointments and activities as needed.
- Administering medications.
- Monitoring patients’ well-being, including taking blood pressure and temperature readings, and tending to wounds and dressings.
What are the most common injuries for a care worker?
Care workers have one of the most demanding jobs. Often caring for multiple patients with varying needs at any given time. The working hours can be long and require a carer to tend to patients throughout the night, affecting them both physically and mentally.
Due to the physical demands of the job, it comes as no surprise that care workers can and do suffer accidents at work. Many of which are unique to the profession due to the environment in which healthcare workers operate. As a result, many are left with injuries that require them to claim care worker injury compensation. Examples of these accidents include:
Slip, trip and fall injuries:
Either in premises like hospitals and care homes, or in a public place when escorting patients.
Manual handling:
Some patients who require extensive care may need to be lifted and carried from one point to another. If the correct methods are not used, a carer may suffer a strain or sprain injury.
Needle injuries:
Care workers often work with needles as a way to administer medication or take blood or glucose readings. If a carer is stabbed by a used needle, they could be exposed to serious diseases.
Repetitive strain injuries:
Patients require routine, meaning care workers will repeat their tasks of care on a daily basis. The repetitive nature of this work may lead to repetitive strain injuries.
Physical assaults:
Care workers deal with patients with a broad range of physical and mental needs. Whether a patient is a child, middle aged or elderly, their physical or mental condition may lead to bouts of aggression, with their carer in the firing line.
Assaulted at work by a patient?
Experiencing an attack from a patient can be a traumatic ordeal for any healthcare professional. Patients considered “high risk,” especially those with mental health challenges, dementia, Alzheimer’s, or learning disabilities, can exhibit unpredictable behaviour, potentially leading to violent outbursts that catch care workers off guard.
Injuries such as lacerations, bruises, fractures, and bites are unfortunately common in the healthcare sector. Severe injuries can incapacitate care workers, preventing them from performing their duties safely or at all.
If a care worker is attacked at work by one of their patients, they may be eligible to claim care worker injury compensation.
What to do if I am injured at work as a carer?
If you have been injured at work, your first priority should be to seek medical attention. Even if you feel your injuries are minor, it’s essential to get a professional medical evaluation.
To properly document your accident and support any potential injury claim, follow these crucial steps:
1. Report Your Accident
Ensure the details of your accident and injuries are accurately recorded in your workplace’s accident book. If there is no accident book, report the incident to your manager or the relevant senior member of staff.
2. Gather Evidence
Take photographs of your injuries and the accident scene. Secure any available CCTV footage showing how the accident occurred. This visual evidence is crucial in establishing liability for your personal injury claim.
3. Document Medical Information
When seeking medical attention, provide an accurate account of how the accident happened. Consistency in your description is vital, as discrepancies (e.g., saying you “tripped” instead of “slipped”) can harm your case.
4. Collect Witness Information
While full witness statements may not be necessary immediately, obtain contact details of anyone who witnessed the accident. Witnesses can provide valuable statements later, and the sooner these statements are collected, the more accurate they are likely to be.
By following these steps, you can ensure your accident is well-documented, providing strong support for any subsequent injury claims.
Can I be sacked for having an accident at work?
We recognise the concerns that arise when dealing with employment after a workplace accident. The stress of an injury combined with the fear of job loss can be overwhelming.
Fortunately, laws are in place to protect employees who sustain injuries at work. Most businesses are legally required to have ‘Employer’s Liability Insurance.’ If your accident was due to your employer’s negligence, you would file a claim against their insurer, not your employer personally.
If you are dismissed following your accident or feel compelled to resign due to poor treatment or bullying by your employer or colleagues, you might have a valid claim for unfair dismissal.
How much carer injury compensation am I likely to get?
The amount of injury compensation you receive depends entirely on the severity of your injuries and the losses you’ve suffered as a result of your accident. These factors are categorised by injury lawyers as Special Damages and General Damages.
Special Damages cover your financial and personal property losses, including out-of-pocket expenses such as:
- Loss of earnings
- Cost of care
- Damaged property
- Travel expenses
- Medication costs
Special Damages can only be claimed for expenses directly related to your accident.
General Damages refer to the compensation for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity due to your accident. This includes your injuries and the impact on your quality of life.
To estimate the compensation you might be entitled to for your injuries, we offer a compensation calculator tool on our website. For a more accurate assessment, it is advisable to consult with one of our injury solicitors.
Claim Care Worker Injury compensation with the help of Stonehewer Moss
Here at Stonehewer Moss Solicitors, we specialise in Personal Injury Law. As the only APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers) accredited firm in the area, we are the number one firm for people looking to make a personal injury claim. Our APIL accreditation stands as a mark of specialist expertise and competence for our injury solicitors, meaning you can rest assured your care worker injury claim is in safe hands with Stonehewer Moss.
If you are a care worker who has been injured or attacked at work, secure your free 30 minute consultation with one of our solicitors by calling 01606 872200 or emailing us at info@stonehewermoss.co.uk.
To learn more about making a care worker accident at work claim, call 01606 872200 and speak to a member of our team today, or request a call back using the link or form below.
Talk to our claims solicitor
Call us on freephone 0800 434 6544 or 01606 87 22 00
Email us at info@stonehewermoss.co.uk
