A little-known work injury epidemic

For the majority of professional drivers the risk of suffering a car accident will be the greatest source of work injury anxiety. However, many often overlook the kinds of aches and strains associated with repetitive driving injuries (RDIs) as being merely par-for-the-course.

Many experts believe that this kind of complacency, on the part of both employers and employees, could eventually lead to an epidemic of ill health and musculoskeletal disorders among driving professionals.

Van drivers, chauffeurs, taxi drivers, HGV drivers, bus drivers and delivery drivers are all at risk. In fact, in light of the time and traffic pressures they are subject to, coupled with the enormous weight of their vehicles, it has long been thought that bus and truck drivers are at particular risk. One Swedish study of 2048 participants has confirmed this, with 57% of bus and lorry drivers reporting that they suffer from some form of presumably work-related musculoskeletal disorder.

Poor posture is a big problem, with many drivers unsure of how to correctly adjust their seats and headrests. It is often the case that once a driver adopts a poor driving posture, he will then become dangerously ensconced in his poor posture habits, something that, over a long period of time, can lead to potentially debilitating work injury.

Unfortunately, for delivery drivers the problems of repetitive driving injury are frequently compounded by the carrying and lifting necessary to their jobs. Poor driving posture can contribute to dangerous lifting and carrying practices, which, conversely, can further aggravate repetitive driving injuries. It should come as no surprise then that many professional drivers are forced into taking early retirement.

Yet it is not only professional drivers who are at risk of developing a repetitive driving injury. A study commissioned by eBaymotors found that nearly 15 million people in the UK suffer from some level of RDI. The following were the most common RDI symptoms (percentages are of the UK driving population):

Foot cramp (81%)

Headache / eye strain (73%)

Side ache / stiff neck / lumbar pain (74%)

Making a work injury compensation claim
Professional drivers should not have to put up with work-related pain. All employers have a duty to protect their workforce.

This protection may take the form of education, ergonomic support or appropriate rests and breaks.

Whatever the case, if your employer ignores any concerns you have about your health and safety and you then go on to develop a debilitating RDI, you may well be entitled to claim compensation.

YouClaim's no win, no fee solicitors have many years experience helping people receive the financial compensation they deserve.

Our ethical approach to the claim process means that - win or lose - you will never have to pay anyone a single penny to fund the cost of your claim.

Furthermore, the fact that we never take a cut means that all our winning clients receive 100% compensation.

If you would like to find out more about how we are able to help you, fill out a claim form or have an e-chat.

Alternatively, if you would like to speak to legal advisor now, call 0800 10 757 95 and we can get your work injury claim underway.