Teaching Assistant Wins Compensation for Back Injury

Case by: LLB (Hons) & LPC Stacy Pimlott Updated: February 10, 2022

A teaching assistant who developed a lower back injury during her time at work has won £60,000 in compensation after our specialist solicitor took over her case.

The claimant’s condition was the result of her being exposed to incorrect manual handling practices, and it ultimately led to her developing her injury. It was so painful that she was unable to continue to work and ended up developing the risk of cauda equine syndrome.

What is cauda equina syndrome?

Cauda equina syndrome is a severe type of spinal stenosis where all of the nerves in the lower back suddenly become severely compressed. The symptoms can include:

– Sciatica on both sides of the body, in both legs
– Weakness or numbness in both legs that is severe or getting worse
– Numbness around the lower area of your body

An Employer’s Duty of Care

In this case, the client’s employer should have been responsible for ensuring that she had been taught the correct manual handling process. Under the law, employers are always responsible for health and safety management. It is their duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees and other people who might be affected by their business. They must do whatever is reasonable to implement in order to achieve this. Employers must always give their employees information about the risks in their workplace and how they are protected, including instructing and training their employees on correct manual handling practices. Employers must consult employees on health and safety issues, and the consultation must be either direct or through a safety representative that is either elected by the workforce or appointed by a trade union. If workers believe that their employer is exposing them to risks, or is not carrying out their legal duties in regards to health and safety, and this has been brought to their attention, then they may be able to make a claim against them.

In her everyday life, our client’s back condition affected her ability to carry out normal household chores and day to day activities. The matter was complex in respect to her pain management and also the nature and mechanisms of the back injury itself.

Under the guidance of our specialist solicitor Stacy Pimlott, the claim settled for £60,000 and the Claimant was over the moon with the settlement as it would not only assist her financially, but also mentally as the injury had had a large impact on her mental health. After her claim was settled, the client said that:

‘I have had the pleasure of Stacy Pimlott as my Solicitor who dealt with my case. Stacy was kind, understanding and very patient throughout and at hand whenever I needed her. She dealt with my case professionally and very efficiently from start to finish but I also felt that I had a friend who was very understanding of my circumstances and difficulties of my daily life…I will miss our chats and laughter which I held on to throughout my case and will truly miss them.’

AWH were pleased to be able to help a client achieve such a positive outcome, and would encourage anyone who has found themselves in a similar situation to contact our specialists for expert help and advice.

Hear more about the member(s) of our team featured above:

• Stacy Pimlott Senior Associate Solicitor/Team Manager view profile