A nurse from County Durham has won her case against Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust after she was prevented from ever returning to work due to a severe back injury. 46-year-old Jacqueline Crowe was injured when she was trying to move a bed at a hospital in Stanley, and was forced to leave the job she had kept for 20 years.

On the day of the accident, the bed’s brake failed to release, and Mrs Crowe inadvertently jarred her neck and back pulling the bed towards her. This aggravated a serious previous injury, for which she now takes strong painkillers every day.

Mrs Crowe also suffers the psychological effects of an injury associated with chronic, or long-term, pain; she now lives with depression. The NHS Trust expressed regret at the circumstances, and admitted negligence at Newcastle Crown Court.

Unison supported Mrs Crowe’s claim, which was settled for £45,000. Mrs Crowe said she had been fully trained for the lifting and handling her job required, but said “However, the bed’s brake was faulty and the simplest move has led to me being unable to work,” (BBC News, 2009).