Case Study: Retail Worker Awarded with £50,000 in Compensation for Back Injury

How Simpson Millar Helped Matt

One of our Accident at Work Solicitors handled Matt’s claim and, as part of the same, arranged for him to be   examined by a number of medical experts to understand the seriousness of his injuries.

It was discovered that Matt’s previous motorbike accident had damaged the soft tissue in the lower part of Matt’s back. And, whilst he’d been given treatment, the injury left him vulnerable to future back injuries and pain. So, when he’d twisted his body to stop himself from falling, he’d aggravated the same back injury, making it considerably worse.

The nerves at the bottom of his spine were also trapped which was giving him numbness and weakness in his right leg.

Following his medical examination, it was recommended that steroids, physiotherapy, joint injections and TENS treatment (which would send electric currents into Matt’s nerves) would help to alleviate and resolve Matt’s pain.. He was advised that it could take up to five years to make a full recovery from such a serious back injury; which is a significant recovery time for someone of Matt’s age, and previous abilities.

The injury combined with months of being unable to work or live his normal life had left Matt feeling anxious, and understandably, fed up. He thought his life wasn’t worth living and he was suffering from feelings of worthlessness and low self-esteem at work.

One of our Solicitors looked into this further and discovered that, due to the accident, Matt had missed out on a promotion at work.

Before the accident, he’d been interviewed for a new Department Manager position. He was told that there was only one other applicant and that the job was as good as his. But when he came back to work after his sick leave, he discovered that his application had been rejected. The other applicant had been given the job and, to add insult to injury, Matt was then asked to train up the new Department Manager.

If Matt had been given this promised promotion, he’d have secured an above-average pay rise which would have made a significant difference to both his and his family’s lives. Because he could only work 20 hours a week, the reduced hours meant he was earning less than normal, and he wouldn’t be able to apply for another promotion anytime soon.

Additionally, as mentioned above Matt couldn't contribute to household chores or take care of his children. His mom had to step in for tasks such as taking the kids to school or to the park, while his wife and neighbour had to handle more strenuous tasks in the house and garden. Due to his limitations, Matt could not perform any activities involving bending, lifting, or carrying.

Understandably the significant loss of earnings, lack of promotion and not being able to look after his kids and wife significantly harmed Matt’s mental health and self-esteem, and it was established that he needed psychiatric support to help get him through.

With a loss of earnings and his family and friends having to pick up the day-to-day jobs around the home, Matt also had to find a way to attend his various mental and physical medical appointments. The only way he could do this was by public transport, which can be a considerable cost when there are so many appointments to attend.

The Outcome for Matt

After thoroughly investigating the case, we presented his lost earnings, and his missed promotion as part of his accident at work claim.

We also included the costs of Matt’s treatment, the care that his family and friends had had to provide him with, and the cost of public transport to and from his medical appointments.

Fortunately, the clothing retailer that Matt worked for admitted full responsibility for the accident, his subsequent back pain, loss of earnings and declining mental health.

Matt was delighted with his £50,000 in compensation to help him pay for his future back treatment, and get him back on track and enjoying life again.

How is injury compensation calculated?

When it comes to injury compensation, determining the entitled amount might initially appear difficult, yet it can essentially be dissected into two primary components.

The first of these is general damages, which considers the pain, suffering, and overall impact on your quality of life, known as PSLA (pain, suffering and loss of amenity). 

The second part of the calculation is special damages—which covers any financial setbacks and extra expenses incurred as a direct result of the injury, such as medical bills or lost wages. 

By looking at both of these factors together, we can figure out the right amount of compensation for your injury, making sure you're fairly compensated for what happened to you.

Contact Us 

If you suffer a Serious injury through no fault of your own, it can be difficult for life to feel normal again. But our team of specialist personal injury lawyers are here to help you rebuild. We can help you claim compensation for your injuries and any subsequent losses, such as loss of earnings. And, in some cases, we can also get you access to private medical care to help your recovery. Call us on 0808 239 3227 for a free claims assessment, as we help you get your life back on track.