Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease often resulting from the wear and tear of the cartilage that covers our joint surfaces. It’s one of the most common types of arthritis and can significantly impact a person’s quality of life.
Work-related activities, especially manual labour jobs, can exacerbate or even cause osteoarthritis and if you suspect that is the case in your situation then you might be eligible to claim compensation.
Here’s what you need to know about work-related osteoarthritis:
Osteoarthritis can be caused by your work, particularly if your job involves repetitive stress, heavy lifting, untreated injuries and overuse of joints.
Typically, symptoms start to appear two to five years after the initial injury and commonly affect the hips, knees, wrists, elbows and fingers. You might experience swelling, inflammation, pain and/or cracking in the joints.
Post – Traumatic Arthritis (PTA)
A specific type of osteoarthritis can also develop after a traumatic injury to the joints, known as post-traumatic arthritis. This could happen after accidents at work such as slips, falls and trips. The symptoms may take several years to manifest but can significantly impact a person’s physical health.
Some of the most high-risk occupations for developing osteoarthritis include:
- Factory and storage workers
- Agriculture workers
- Mining
- Firefighting
- Construction workers
- Production line operators
- Mechanics
- Office employees
- Carpet fitters
*If you have suffered a joint injury at work recently, it’s crucial to visit your GP as soon as possible.
Can I claim compensation for osteoarthritis?
If you have developed osteoarthritis due to work-related activities, whether that was repetitive physical movements or a significant injury, you can make a compensation claim.
Your employer is legally responsible for your safety at work, which includes providing proper and continuous training, personal protective equipment, mechanical aids, and adequate breaks.
Your employer has a duty of care, specifically for jobs where repetitive strain is frequent, to make sure they reduce the risk of developing osteoarthritis. This can happen by making sure there is job task variety to reduce repetitive actions.
For a successful compensation claim, our team will help you gather evidence, such as:
- Receipts for medical treatments from the last few years
- Medical records and X-rays
- Travel receipts for attending medical appointments
- Statements from coworkers
- If you suffered an injury at work, the report of the accident
- Photographic and video evidence
When claiming compensation for osteoarthritis we make sure that the compensation you receive will help you with past and future loss of earnings, medical expenses and for all the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the condition.
Our experienced solicitors offer a free initial consultation giving you a chance to discuss your situation with a knowledgeable lawyer who will give you advice based on your circumstances.