According to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland statistics, the most common factor in sustained injuries between 2015-16 to 2019-20 was body stress. Body stress is, in large part, due to muscular strain.

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) are the most common injuries on the job site. If you suffer from this kind of injury due to work, you might find value in contacting a compensation lawyer who can offer guidance on the best way forward.

What are Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD)?

An MSD, as explained in the WHS regulations, is an injury or disease affecting the musculoskeletal system. 

It can take place quickly, or it might develop over time. It does not involve an injury resulting from crushing, entrapment or cutting due to the mechanical operation of the factory.

MSD is an umbrella term for many conditions, such as those listed below:

• Strains or sprains affecting muscles, ligaments or tendons.
• Back injuries involve impairment of muscles, tendons, ligaments, the spine, nerves, joints and bones.
• Injury to joints and bones or the deterioration thereof. This includes shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle, hand and feet injuries.
• Nerve trauma or compression.
• Muscle or blood vessel disorders due to hand-arm vibration.
• Soft tissue herniation.
• Chronic agony.

What Are the Causes of Musculoskeletal Disorders?

There are two primary causes of MSDs:

1. Wear and Tear to joints, ligaments, muscles and spinal discs over time. This is due to the constant and consistent use of the same body parts. This encompasses stagnant body positions.
2. Unanticipated injury due to taxing tasks or sudden movements. For example, the unexpected movement of loads.

Injury can also take place due to the combined effects of both causes. For instance, body tissue that has deteriorated over time may be prone to injury by low-grade force.

Hazardous Manual Tasks 

Hazardous manual tasks include one or multiple of the following:

• Constant or consistent force; 
• Great or unexpected force;
• Monotonous movement;
• Constant or uncomfortable posture; and
• Being exposed to vibration.

This calls for a worker to lift, bring down, push, pull, carry, shift, hold or stop a person, animal or object.

What is Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that covers workers’ wages and medical expenses for injuries resulting from their employment. 

WorkCover Queensland is the sole provider of insurance for onsite injuries, but there are self-insurers too.

If you have been injured on the job site, there are two kinds of claims available:

1. Statutory Claims; and
2. Common Law Claims (this is where an employee seeks recourse against the employer through the court system).

Queensland claims must initially be instituted as statutory claims.

No Win No Fee Agreements

Most law firms ‘no win, no fee’ arrangements include a catch: if you lose your case, there is a possibility that you have to pay the other side’s legal costs. This could be astronomical.

Smith’s Lawyers, stands by Queensland’s first no-risk compensation promise: No Win, No Fee, No Catch®. If things don’t go as planned in court, costs are covered – so you won’t be liable to anyone!

In 25 years, no client has ever been out of pocket. It’s a no-win, no-fee agreement you can trust.

Conclusion

The mental and physical effects of the musculoskeletal disorder are agonizing. What’s more, the financial impact could be just as painful as the injury itself. Your safest bet would be to claim compensation. 

While no one can fully understand the pain you are experiencing, an experienced compensation lawyer can soften the blow. Contact Smith’s now so we can do just that.