What Causes a Sore Back? Back Pain at Work

What Causes a Sore Back?

According to the NHS, back pain is extremely common, and most people usually recover within a few weeks or months; however, some may suffer from long term back issues. The back is one of the parts of the body which are most susceptible to pain or injury. If you have been suffering with back pain symptoms, you may be wondering, “what causes a sore back? and what can I do about it? People experience a sore back for various reasons, and some causes of back pain cannot be explained, this is known as “non-specific back pain.”

Main Causes of a Sore Back

Although some back pain cannot be explained, a large proportion of back soreness will have a cause. The most common causes of a sore back include:

• Poor posture
• Medical issues, such as arthritis, spinal stenosis, herniated discs and other conditions affecting the spinal joints, nerves and muscles.
• Soft tissue and spinal injuries may be caused as the result of a road traffic accident.
• Injuries caused by lifting and moving heavy objects, these types of injuries are usually caused whilst moving furniture at home, carrying out tasks at work, or whilst working out at the gym.
• Slips, trips and falls commonly cause a sore back.
• Many types of workplace injuries can cause a sore back, some you may not have even been aware were caused by work.

If you have suffered a back injury or are experiencing back pain, it is important that you contact your G.P to have your condition assessed and obtain the appropriate medical treatment. If you think your back pain may have been caused by an accident which wasn’t your fault, you may wish to speak to a personal injury Solicitor to find out if you could make a claim.

What Causes a Sore Back at Work?

A large proportion of those experiencing back pain will have sustained their injury whilst at work. Some of the main causes of a sore back in the workplace are:

• Manual handling tasks – Although these tasks may form part of a person’s everyday role, certain measures should be put in place to avoid the risk of sustaining a back injury. Risk assessments should be completed before carrying out any manual handling tasks, the weight of the load should always be assessed, all staff must have completed adequate manual handling training, and lifting equipment should be provided when required.
• Poor posture when sitting at a desk – Office workers are at a high risk of suffering back pain for various reasons. So, what causes a sore back when working in an office? Posture. Office workers should always be aware of their posture whilst at work. Taking regular breaks for stretching may help you to avoid back pain at work. The wrong office equipment can also add to back pain whilst working in an office. Your employer should ensure that you have an appropriate desk and chair and should also make sure that your desk and screens are at the correct height.
• Slips, trips and falls at work- A fall in the workplace can cause all types of issues and injuries, including a sore back. It is your employer’s responsibility to ensure the workplace is clean, tidy, and free from defects which may lead to a slip, trip or fall.
• Performing repetitive tasks – Performing a repetitive task at work can lead to issues, such as back pain. Your employer should allow you to take regular breaks when performing these types of duties.

If you have a sore back and feel it may have been caused by a breach of your employer’s duty of care, you may be able to make a back pain at work claim for compensation. Contact Beacon Law today to find out if you have grounds to make a claim.

Sore Back From Work – What Should I Do?

If you have been experiencing a sore back which you think may be due to the tasks you carry out at work, you should always make your employer aware. If you think adjustments, such as lifting equipment, or even a new desk chair could help, you should request this from your employer.

You should attend your G.P. to have your back pain assessed. Your G.P may be able to investigate your pain and let you know if you have any underlying medical conditions which could attribute to your pain. Make your G.P aware of the type of work that you do to help them better understand your symptoms. Your G.P. may refer you to a specialist, such as a physiotherapist, or provide medication to help reduce your pain.

If you believe your employers are to blame for your sore back, you may wish to speak to Beacon Law about making a claim for back injury at work compensation.

You should be aware that there is a strict time limit of 3 years from the date of the accident for making a personal injury claim. This can be extended in special circumstances; however, we would advise that you start your back pain at work claim as early as possible to avoid your claim becoming statute-barred.

Back Pain at Work Claim: Compensation Amounts

It is difficult to determine the compensation amount you will receive for back pain at work without firstly knowing the seriousness of the injury and all facts of the case.

Your back injury compensation claim will be split into general damages and special damages.

General damages refer to the amount you will receive for your injury, i.e., the pain, suffering and loss of amenity. The figure is based on the type of injury sustained, as well as the severity and the impact the injury has had on your life or the impact which it may continue to have on your future.

Special damages refer to any additional financial losses you sustained as a direct result of the injury and may include travel and parking costs, loss of earnings, medication costs, costs of any private treatment you may have required, and compensation for any additional care and assistance you may have required.

There are many compensation calculators online which may give you an idea of how much your claim may be worth, however, the amount stated when using these calculators are not always accurate and cannot be guaranteed.

Why Choose Beacon Law to Assist With Your Back Pain at Work Claim?

Beacon Law are a leading firm of personal injury lawyers, offering a range of personal injury claim services to our clients, including back pain at work claims. We provide a high level of service to all our clients and work hard to ensure they receive the appropriate treatment and highest level of compensation for their injuries.

We work closely with all clients, following their instructions whilst providing specialist legal advice on each case. We aim to support all our clients throughout a time which is already difficult, and provide the best case management possible throughout all legal proceedings.

If you require advice on a potential case or assistance, please contact us on 0330 1332 857. Alternatively, please complete our online form, and a Personal Injury expert will contact you to discuss your potential case.

Beacon Law are a Solicitors registered in England and Wales with our registered office based in Manchester. We are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.