Finger Injury Compensation Claims

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Finger Injuries At Work

The amount of compensation awarded for finger injuries depends on three main factors; which specific finger has been injured, the physical extent of the injury and the ongoing ramifications for the injured person. While the majority of work related finger injuries are minor, involving small lacerations and sprains for example, there are also several categories of more serious injury types. These mainly result from blunt, heavy trauma to the fingers, and repetitive strain injuries caused by working practices, the effects of which accumulate over time.

Typical Causes Of Finger Injuries

Factories, warehouses, construction sites, garages and kitchens are all common locations where finger injuries occur. Such injuries may be a result of manual handling, where the lifting of heavy weights using the hands places a constant strain on the fingers and poses the risk of fingers becoming trapped between two heavy objects, causing crush injuries. Factory operatives on production lines where heavy machinery is used face similar risks, as fingers may easily become caught or trapped in machines, causing similar crush injuries and deep lacerations. Workers in places such as kitchens and garages constantly handle sharp and hot metallic items, where the slightest slip of the hand can cause lacerations and burns to fingers which are only minimally protected. Slips, trips and falls may also caused finger injuries, as the body's natural reaction upon falling is the extend the arms to break the fall with the hands. Employers have multiple duties in these contexts, and failure to follow them may leave them liable to a third part negligence finger injury compensation claim. Workers must be supplied with appropriate protective equipment, adequate training must be provided, safety procedures must be adhered to, machinery must be properly maintained, and the workplace must be kept free from obstacles which may cause a person to slip or fall.

The Effects Of Finger Injuries

While most finger injuries are minor and heal quickly, fractures and other crush injuries may lead to lead to ongoing complications. A serious finger injury caused by heavy trauma may result in a loss of mobility, grip and sensation. Given the critical role of the fingers and hands, such injuries can require considerable time off work and also impact on the injured person's day to day lifestyle. They may also leave an injured person open to future infection and osteoarthritis developing in the joint. Extreme injuries may require total or partial amputation of the fingers or thumbs, leading to deformity, nerve damage, permanent loss of function and inhibited future job prospects.

Long Term Finger Conditions

Various types of repetitive strain injuries may also develop in the fingers over time. Vibration White Finger is associated with the over-use of power tools and involves irreversible damage to blood cells in the fingers, causing aches, pains, numbness and loss of sensation. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is believed to be caused by excessive use of computer keyboards, and begins with damage to the median nerve in the thumb. Another similar overuse injury is known as Trigger finger (Tenosynovitis), where tendons in the hand are damaged, and fingers may become locked in a 'trigger' position. Research into this particular condition is still evolving, but the latest research indicates that it can be caused by repetitive gripping actions in the workplace.

Finger Injury Compensation Awards

Multiple, severe fractures to the fingers may involve loss of sensation, grip and mechanical function. In this case finger injury compensation awards will scale up to £23,500. Where a finger is amputated, compensation awards depend on the specific finger. Loss of a middle or index finger will lead to respective awards of roughly £10,000 and £12,000. Compensation for the loss of a thumb will range from £22,750 to £35,500. The amputation of a little finger would result in compensation being awarded between £5,500 and £7,750. Serious injuries short of amputation to fingers and thumbs will result in lower compensation awards, depending on factors including the level of ongoing impairment to grip and manual dexterity, sensitivity, movement, damage to nerves and tendons, cosmetic deformity, and the possibility of osteoarthritis developing in the future. Minor injuries such as the fracture of one finger will result in compensation between £1,900 and £3,000 depending on the recovery time. For similar minor injuries to the thumb, the size of the compensation award will increase slightly.

Bartletts Solicitors are specialists in the field of finger injury compensation claims. We work on a no win no fee basis meaning if you win your case you keep 100% of damages awarded, and if you lose you do not pay a penny.

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