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compensation following an accident
illness or injury - nationwide
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Work injury is a very broad term. An accident at work can vary from minor - a small trip, for instance - to major injury, such as the loss of limb by accidental amputation.
To lose a limb as a result of a careless employer who does not implement health and safety regulations is perhaps one of the most traumatic occurrences when considering injury at work, but, thankfully, constant research and the tenacity of inventors worldwide are leading to some amazing breakthroughs in the world of prosthetic limbs.
In 2008, the developers of a revolutionary bionic hand' were awarded the prestigious MacRobert award, a top UK engineering prize, for their prosthetic i-LIMB. Touch Bionics are based in Scotland, where the product has been in development since the 1960's.
The hand has key features that make it unique amongst commercially available prosthetics. Firstly, each finger has its own motor which allows independent movement and articulation. Secondly, the thumb can rotate through 90 degrees, to reflect the movement of a human hand.
These characteristics enable the i-LIMB to replicate the human hand in both form and function. Previous prosthetics usually possessed one element only and amputees were forced to wear either a practical artificial limb that looked like a robotic hook, or a lifelike limb that possessed very little function.
The US space agency, NASA, and the nation's military research unit, DARPA, have developed more advanced arms, but the CEO of Touch Bionics explains that the i-LIMB is not a laboratory- based limb; it does not require surgery to be fitted.
Once attached to the patient's arm, two electrodes sit on the skin and pick up myoelectric signals that are created by the contraction of muscle fibres in the body. A computer inside the hand picks up the signals, interprets them and then moves the hand accordingly.
To gain full use of the limb may take months of effort, but one wearer has said that the psychological benefit of seeing a lifelike hand at the end of his arm, moving like the real thing, far outweighs the physical effort of learning to use it.
Touch Bionics are working on expansion of its range of smart prosthetics and are developing a full-arm system. They currently have a prototype wrist, elbow and shoulder.
YouClaim and work injury compensation claims
At YouClaim we make sure you find the right people for your circumstances. If you have had an accident at work that was caused by someone else, and you have suffered a work injury, our UK no win, no fee solicitors could help you to claim compensation.
Our accident at work solicitors are experts in their fields and are proudly governed by the standards laid down by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. We guarantee that you will not be charged for our services and that you will receive 100% of the compensation awarded to you. If your claim is unsuccessful you will not be charged.
If you would like to talk to one of our friendly helpline advisors, please call 0800 10 757 95. If you would like to choose a more suitable time, we can call you back later.
Alternatively, tell us about your work injury by filling out an online claim form and we will call you back when we have checked the details. Above all, remember that YouClaim's advice is free and confidential.
