Injury Claims in the Packaging Industry

About Our Legal Expert: This content is produced with oversight by Michael Jefferies, Managing Director who has over 30 years’ legal experience.

Written by Tanya Waterworth, Digital Content Writer

Compensation for Packaging Accidents at Work in England & Wales

The packaging industry generally tends to be a fast-paced environment using heavy machinery, so injury claims in the packaging industry in England and Wales are not uncommon. Like many industries, the packaging industry often has strict production targets, so when safety measures slip, accident may happen which may have been preventable.

Therefore, if you work in the packaging industry and suffered an injury because your employer had not followed legal safety regulations, you may want to find out more on how to claim compensation.

Our guide highlights the most common injuries in the packaging industry, when you can pursue a personal injury claim and why it’s worthwhile to speak to a solicitor who’s experienced in work injury compensation.

Common Injuries in the Packaging Industry

Packaging facilities across England and Wales share similar risk profiles. So, whether you work in food packaging, e‑commerce, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics or industrial goods, the hazards remain similar and may often be linked to speed, machinery and manual handling.

Below are the three most frequent injuries packaging workers experience:

Manual Handling Injuries

Workers regularly lift, carry, push or pull heavy loads. Poor training, excessive weights, awkward postures or unrealistic productivity targets can lead to:

• Back strains
• Shoulder injuries
• Herniated discs
• Soft‑tissue damage

Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI)

Packaging lines typically require repetitive movements such as sealing, sorting, stacking or labelling. Over a prolonged period, this may cause:

• Tendonitis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Wrist, elbow or shoulder pain

Machinery‑Related Injuries

Packaging machinery includes conveyors, shrink‑wrap machines, palletisers, cutters and automated systems. The following injuries can occur when guards are missing, maintenance is poor or staff are rushed, such as:

• Crush injuries
• Lacerations
• Amputations
• Fractures
• Entanglement injuries

Other injuries can include slips, trips and falls, especially falls from height which are the ‘most common cause of death and serious injury to people at work’ according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Real Life Example

Employers in England and Wales have a legal duty to protect workers under the Health and Safety Act 1974. This includes training, risk assessments, safe systems of work and properly maintained equipment. When they fail, you may have grounds to claim compensation.

An example of work injuries in the packaging industry was highlighted in a media report by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) when the same packaging company was fined twice in the same year for health and safety offences. Following a first incident at the company’s Derbyshire site which involved a fatality, the second incident occurred when a laminator operator at their Telford site suffered a severe crush injury when their hand was drawn into a laminating machine. The HSE found that the employer had ‘failed to ensure effective measures were in place to prevent access to the dangerous moving parts of the laminating machine’. The company were fined for breaching Regulation 11(1) of The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

Interestingly, our own recent data highlights the most common workplace injuries involve the hands and upper limbs. A three month survey of our calls received indicated that just over a fifth of our callers (20,5%) reported hand injuries in the workplace. (These were not necessarily in the packaging industry).

When Can You Pursue a Personal Injury Claim?

You can pursue a personal injury claim for a packaging‑industry injury if:

1. Your employer breached their duty of care

This includes failing to:

• Provide proper manual handling training
• Maintain machinery and safety guards
• Keep walkways clear
• Enforce safe working practices
• Provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Carry out risk assessments
• Supervise staff appropriately

2. The breach caused your injury

There must be a direct link between the unsafe condition and your injury. Here are some easy references for example:

• You slipped because packaging debris was left on the floor.
• You suffered a crush injury because a machine guard was missing.
• You developed RSI due to repetitive tasks without rotation or breaks.

3. The accident happened within the last three years

Under the law in England and Wales most work‑injury claims must start within three years of the accident or of becoming aware your injury was work‑related.

4. You were an employee or worker

You can claim whether you are:

• Full‑time
• Part‑time
• Agency staff
• Temporary staff
• Zero‑hours workers

In essence, if your employer controlled your working environment, they owed you a duty of care.

Why You Should Speak to a Personal Injury Solicitor

Workplace injury claims in the packaging industry may involve complex evidence. Therefore, speaking to a specialist solicitor offers several advantages as they:

1. Understand workplace risks

Solicitors experienced in work‑injury claims will know what safety standards apply and where employers can commonly fail.

2. Gather and preserve evidence

A solicitor knows what will be considered as important evidence and that it should be  collected early while still fresh, including:

• CCTV footage
• Machinery maintenance logs
• Training records
• Witness statements
• Accident book entries

3. Arrange independent medical assessments

Your compensation depends on accurate medical evidence. Solicitors will often arrange expert assessments to properly document your injuries and the potential long‑term impact.

4. Negotiate with insurers

This is a crucial step when it comes to having a solicitor at your side as insurers may often undervalue claims or deny liability. A solicitor challenges these tactics and fights for fair compensation for you

5. No Win No Fee

We partner with experienced work injury solicitors who offer an initial free consultation to assess whether you have a valid claim. They also offer a No Win, No Fee agreement meaning:

• No upfront costs
• No fees if the claim fails
• A capped success fee if the claim wins

What Compensation Typically Covers

A personal injury solicitor will be able to estimate this for your specific claim. A successful packaging‑industry injury claim may typically include:

• Pain, suffering and loss of amenity
• Lost earnings
• Future loss of earnings
• Medical treatment
• Physiotherapy
• Travel expenses
• Care and assistance
• Specialist equipment
• Long‑term rehabilitation

Check our Compensation Calculator.

FAQs: Evidence to Gather After a Packaging‑Industry Injury

What evidence should I collect after a packaging‑industry injury?

Gather photos, witness details, accident book entries, CCTV footage and any unsafe equipment involved, all of which will strengthen your claim for compensation.

Should I photograph the packaging line or machinery?

Yes, if you can photograph the exact area, machinery guards, spillages, debris or faulty equipment as visual evidence is often considered compelling.

Do I need medical records?

Yes, get medical attention immediately and keep all records, prescriptions and referrals. These documents should clearly show the severity of your injury.

Is training evidence important?

Definitely, if you were not trained properly, your solicitor can use training records to show your employer failed to protect you.

Can I use maintenance logs as evidence?

Yes, maintenance in the packaging industry is a key safety measure and machinery maintenance logs may reveal missed inspections or unresolved faults.

What To Do Next

Take the next step, contact our team on 0333 358 3034 or complete our online contact form to arrange a telephone consultation : it’s free, confidential and there’s no obligation.