Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Legal matters

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have any legal concerns we suggest you consult a solicitor.

Injured at work

33 replies

coastergirl · 02/02/2025 12:27

Hi, I was injured doing my job about 6 months ago (fracture). At the time, a few people suggested I pursue compensation for this, but I wasn't keen for various reasons. I've ended up leaving the job, mainly unrelated to the injury, although it certainly didn't help! I'm in quite a lot of pain from the injury, and it just seems to be getting worse lately. I know that there was damage at the time to the tendons surrounding the fracture, this was picked up by an MRI scan. I'm seeing my GP about it this week. I'm considering pursuing some sort of legal action now about this. Just wondered if anybody could recommend a firm I could speak to about this? If anyone has had a good experience? Any advice would be much appreciated.

OP posts:
coastergirl · 02/02/2025 16:51

OK, so definitely reportable then.

Uneven ground because it was outdoors, a kind of dirt track with big ridge down the middle like you often see in the countryside.

OP posts:
Velmy · 02/02/2025 17:13

Unfortunately, my ability to rest it was hindered by the fact I'm a single mum and have young kids with additional needs. My GP referred me to a physio for advice, who didn't seem to know the difference between tendinosis and tendonitis, and gave me exercises to do. Another issue is that I should have been given amended duties on my return to work, but this wasn't possible due to severe staffing issues.

This might complicate things - We can all appreciate the reality of being a single parent to a child with additional needs, but your employer would likely argue that you didn't follow the Dr's advice to rest, which could have aggravated any injury.

They would also point to the poor advice you got from the physio as not their fault.

With regards to the amended duties - Did you bring this up with them at the time? They will argue that you agreed to return to regular duties, and if you weren't capable, that you would have refused and provided a fit note from your GP.

From the info you've provided, it seems like the reason you're suffering six months on is not following initial medical advice, plus getting poor advice from your referral. Neither of these are your employer's fault, so I'd be very careful looking at NWNF.

The cause of the accident is unclear though (in terms of what happened and why you had to run), so if your employer was at fault there, you could still have a claim.

NoWordForFluffy · 02/02/2025 17:19

From the info you've provided, it seems like the reason you're suffering six months on is not following initial medical advice, plus getting poor advice from your referral. Neither of these are your employer's fault, so I'd be very careful looking at NWNF.

Any apportionment between the initial injury and any failure to mitigate (or causing to worsen) would be dealt with in the medical evidence. If the expert said that in normal circs, the fracture would've recovered in X months, but the OP has caused it to last longer, then her compensation will be capped to when, under normal conditions, she'd have been expected to recover.

NWNF solicitors are used to dealing with such things, so that's no reason not to use one.

coastergirl · 02/02/2025 17:28

I'm wary of giving too many details really. But I did point out that I was having to do more than I should be doing. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place though...between keeping myself safe and my duty of care.

There was a similar incident the previous week when I was off sick, so I think something probably should have been done to prevent it happening again.

OP posts:
coastergirl · 02/02/2025 17:33

NoWordForFluffy · 02/02/2025 17:19

From the info you've provided, it seems like the reason you're suffering six months on is not following initial medical advice, plus getting poor advice from your referral. Neither of these are your employer's fault, so I'd be very careful looking at NWNF.

Any apportionment between the initial injury and any failure to mitigate (or causing to worsen) would be dealt with in the medical evidence. If the expert said that in normal circs, the fracture would've recovered in X months, but the OP has caused it to last longer, then her compensation will be capped to when, under normal conditions, she'd have been expected to recover.

NWNF solicitors are used to dealing with such things, so that's no reason not to use one.

The actual fracture did seemingly recover within the expected time frame. They did a follow up x-ray, although it could be argued that other follow up scans would have been useful, seeing as the initial injury was extremely difficult to see on a standard xray. I was initially told it was ok and sent away, but when the consultant reviewed the images, they weren't convinced so sent me for a CT. Honestly, only me!

OP posts:
coastergirl · 06/02/2025 00:24

Just a little update: I contacted my union and they are going to explore this on my behalf. Can't believe I didn't think of it! Thanks for all the advice.

OP posts:
EBearhug · 06/02/2025 00:30

It is literally what you pay your membership fees for!

My union has been very helpful when I've had to call on them. Hope your's is.

Comefromaway · 06/02/2025 09:24

coastergirl · 02/02/2025 17:28

I'm wary of giving too many details really. But I did point out that I was having to do more than I should be doing. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place though...between keeping myself safe and my duty of care.

There was a similar incident the previous week when I was off sick, so I think something probably should have been done to prevent it happening again.

That is key. If you had simply tripped on uneven ground well, you should have been aware of that in an outdoor situation etc. etc.

But the fact a similar incident happened and nothing was done to try and prevent it happening again. That is negligence. The fact the trip was caused by you having to run due to this is the important part.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page