Hand Injury Claims
Hand injuries can be caused by all types of accidents, with the potential for damage to part of a finger or trauma leading to hand crushes or amputations. The most severe types of hand injuries can have a significant impact on a person’s life and affect mobility, functionality and comfort, leaving them unable to work or carry out daily activities.
Some hand injuries are caused by workplace accidents, whereas others by slips and trips in public places, road traffic accidents and other events. If you have suffered from any type of hand injury through no fault of your own, you might be eligible to make a hand injury claim for compensation.
The following guide provides information on hand injuries and how experienced solicitors can help you get the hand injury compensation that you are rightfully owed if the negligent actions of somebody else caused your injury.
If you would like to find out if you are eligible to make a hand injury claim, click here to request a call back or call now on 0800 470 0474 to speak to a friendly legal adviser.
Can I make a hand injury claim?
As a general rule, it should be possible to claim whenever you suffer a personal injury that was due to the negligence of another person or company. The easiest way to find out if you are eligible for hand injury compensation is through a free assessment over the phone with an experienced legal adviser.
They will consider the circumstances of your accident to determine whether:
- You were injured in the last three years
- Your accident was at least partially due to someone else’s negligence
- That person owed you a duty of care
- You suffered significant losses as a result
You do not have to worry about proving a duty of care as various legislations can be used to help establish this. Depending on the type of accident that caused your injury, this could include:
- The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- The Road Traffic Act 1988
- The Occupiers’ Liability Act 1984
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, several parties might be liable for your hand injury, including:
- A driver or another road user who acted negligently and caused a road traffic accident
- Your employer, if they failed to follow the health and safety guidelines and prevent an accident at work
- The owner of a private business such as a shop or restaurant, if they have failed to keep the premises safe
- The local council, if you suffered an accident on the street or another poorly maintained public place
- A manufacturer, if you suffered a hand injury due to a defective product
- A doctor or another medical staff who failed to provide a reasonable standard of care
To find out more about starting a compensation claim, call 0800 470 0474 for a free consultation with an experienced legal adviser. They will let you know whether you are eligible to claim hand injury compensation and can answer any questions you might have.
What type of hand injuries can I claim for?
The solicitors we work in partnership with have extensive experience in managing hand injury claims and have been presented with a host of different types of injuries caused in various settings. Some of the most common types of hand injuries include:
- Broken bones, including fingers, are usually due to trauma, such as falling on an outstretched hand or being hit with a heavy object. Such injuries usually need a splint, cast or surgical intervention and can take weeks or months to heal.
- Cuts, burns and scarring are common workplace injuries caused by machinery or sharp tools but may also be due to broken glass in a car accident, defective products and other scenarios. While these are usually minor injuries, deep cuts may affect nerves and other underlying structures and may need medical intervention.
- Slicing off of fingers in machinery and even hand amputations are the most severe injuries that may lead to a compensation claim. These are very rare and devastating injuries that can lead to deep emotional and psychological trauma and affect a person’s life forever.
- Severe sprains and strains occur if the hand’s tendons, muscles or ligaments get overstretched or torn due to a fall or another accident. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, tenderness and loss of mobility and can limit your ability to carry out work tasks and daily activities.
- Severe bruising may be due to breaking a fall with your hand, a sporting incident or an injury at work. Bruises happen when small blood vessels break and leak blood under the skin, most of which are not serious. Sometimes though, they might be a symptom of something more severe, such as bone or nerve damage.
- Burns and scalds are fairly common hand injuries classified from first to fourth degree, depending on severity. While superficial burns are usually painful but heal without long-term consequences, severe burns can lead to permanent scarring and damage to bones, nerves and other underlying structures.
- Conditions caused by work-related activities, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive strain injury (RSI), develop over time due to overuse and repetitive movements. With these hand injuries, early identification and treatment are essential for preventing permanent damage.
Regardless of your injuries, you should contact a personal injury solicitor as soon as possible if you believe someone else’s negligence caused your injury. They will offer you a free case assessment to determine whether you are eligible to make a hand injury claim for compensation.
Common causes of hand injuries
Many accidents can lead to hand injuries, such as traffic collisions and workplace accidents. Such injuries can severely disrupt your ability to work and engage in daily activities and might entitle you to ask for hand injury compensation.
We recognise that many environments make a person more vulnerable to sustaining a hand injury, and it is essential that those liable observe the necessary safety requirements to minimise risk. Some of the most common causes of hand injuries include:
Accidents at the workplace
A large number of people sustain hand injuries in accidents at work each year, with unguarded machinery in factories and construction sites often being the primary cause of particularly severe injuries to the hand. Crush injuries to the hand and fingers can also be sustained at work due to falling objects, heavy lifting and faulty machinery.
Falls from heights such as those occurring on building sites can result in hand fractures and other severe injuries. Repetitive or excessive use of hands to fulfil job requirements can also be a cause of repetitive strain injuries (RSI).
Employers must follow strict rules dictated by health and safety legislation to protect employees from injury at work. Their duties include:
- Carry out regular risk assessments;
- Avoid sharp edges and potentially hazardous spots, such as old, damaged machines and machinery with moving parts;
- Provide health and safety training to employees;
- Provide adequate training and instructions to carry out tasks;
- Avoiding machinery and equipment that is hot or contaminated with dangerous chemicals;
- Make sure that all the tools and machines are in good condition and safe for use;
- Provide the personal protective equipment recommended for each position and task.
If a breach of any of these duties resulted in an accident, you might be able to make a hand injury claim against your employer.
Road accidents
Hand injuries are commonly sustained when motorbike and bicycle accidents take place. That is because when people fall off as a result of a collision, they have a natural tendency to stretch their arms out in an attempt to break their fall. This can often lead to injuries to the hands, wrists, arms and elbows.
Hand injuries can also be sustained in other types of road accidents, such as those involving cars, lorries and buses. The sudden impact during collisions can also damage the bones, muscles and ligaments in the hands, while broken glass and flying debris can cause severe cuts and lacerations.
Slips, trips and falls
These accidents are another leading cause of injuries to the hand, wrists and fingers. Slips and trips can occur in a wide variety of settings, including in shops and supermarkets, public pavements, hospitals, restaurants and the workplace. If a surface is wet, if there are obstructions, inadequate lighting, spillages, cracks, holes or uneven flagstones, a person may be injured due to slipping or tripping over.
If there is evidence that your hand injury was caused by the actions, inactions, oversights or intentions of another person, you will likely be eligible to claim hand injury compensation.
Sports incidents
Almost every sport has an intrinsic risk for injury that is usually nobody’s fault. In some circumstances, however, a hand injury may be due to bad advice, improper ground conditions, faulty equipment or lack of protective measures. If you can prove negligence from a coach, owner, or event organiser, you might be able to file a hand injury claim against them.
Medical negligence
Healthcare professionals usually offer an excellent standard of care and adequate treatment and help patients get better and resume their daily activities. Sometimes, however, a misdiagnosed fracture, infection, surgical error or another medical mistake can have devastating consequences and lead to a medical negligence claim for hand injury compensation.
Dog bites or violent crimes
A dog bite or a criminal assault, especially with a weapon, can cause severe puncture wounds, crush injuries and other types of trauma to the hand. In these situations, a claim could be made against the dog owner or aggressor, but they may not have insurance or the resources to cover the damages they caused you.
Most often, victims of a violent crime or dog attacks provoked by the owner can make a hand injury claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). A CICA claim needs to be filed within two years of the incident and after reporting it to the police.
If you suffered a hand injury that you believe was due to negligence or another breach of someone else’s duty of care towards you, call 0800 470 0474 or request a call back for a free consultation with a legal adviser. They will let you know whether you can make a hand injury claim and answer any questions you may have about the claims process.
Symptoms of hand injuries
There are many different types of hand injuries that a person can sustain. For this reason, symptoms will vary dependent on the cause, severity and affected area. Some common hand injury symptoms include:
- Lacerations
- Pallor – pale skin, often caused by poor circulation to the affected area
- Limited movement of the hand and fingers
- Catching, popping, or locking feeling with finger movement
- Numbness
- Pins and needles and tingling sensations
- Bleeding, open wounds and subsequent scarring
- Pain, which can be minor, moderate or severe
- Redness or blisters
- Deformity
- Swelling and inflammation
- Weakness of the hand
- Bruising
Hand injuries may also lead to impacts on the mobility of the arm. Some hand injuries cause pain or electric shock sensations that travel up the wrist and arm and damage the nerves and tissue from the wrist and beyond. Your solicitor will aim to demonstrate the severity of your symptoms to secure the highest hand injury compensation award possible on your behalf.
Based on your symptoms and the severity of your injury, your doctor will decide on the best course of action to help you make a quick recovery. The treatments you may receive for a hand injury or condition include:
- Immobilisation with a splint or cast
- Medication to reduce pain and inflammation
- Rehabilitation exercises and physical therapy to reduce stiffness and restore movement
- Surgical procedures for tendon problems, carpal tunnel syndrome, fractures and breaks
While many hand injuries heal completely, there are some rare long-term complications of a broken hand and other types of trauma, such as:
- Nerve or blood vessel damage causing numbness and circulation problems
- Osteoarthritis
- Ongoing stiffness, aching or disability that may or may not resolve with physical or occupational therapy
Common Questions
Potential impact of a hand injury
We use our hands every day in countless ways and activities, whether for functional tasks, working, assisting us in communication or showing affection to others. Therefore, the potential effect on a person’s life can be significant when a hand is injured. Depending on the injury location and severity of the symptoms, your hand may be out of use for a short while or even permanently.
This means that the victim may not be able to work or carry out normal daily activities, which can result in financial losses and emotional trauma. Some of the typical effects of hand injuries include:
- Inability to work
- Inability to drive
- Difficulties in shopping, completing household tasks and playing with children
- Impact on hobbies and sports
- Impact on the care of children and pets
- Costs associated with treatment and travel alternatives, if necessary
- Comfort can be severely affected, including the inability to sleep because of pain for some victims
Your solicitor will assess your case and present your claim with a thorough explanation regarding all the areas of your life that have suffered as a result of your injury. This will help secure the highest hand injury compensation amount that takes into account the full impact the accident has had on your life.
How much compensation can I claim for a hand injury?
The amount of compensation you are awarded in a hand injury claim will depend upon the severity of your injury and the symptoms that you suffer. Your solicitor will ensure that your claim considers any financial losses, both previous and potential future losses, as well as all of the ways in which you have been negatively affected by the injury.
There are two types of damages covered by hand injury compensation:
General damages are awarded for the actual injury and the subjective losses it has caused you, taking into account:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and mental distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of ability to pursue a hobby
- Loss of a unique career
Special damages are awarded for the financial losses and expenses incurred due to the injury, which could include:
- Medical treatments and interventions
- Cost of rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Cost of care and assistance
- Medical aids, such as prostheses
- Travel and transportation costs
- Adaptations to your home or vehicle
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
The highest compensation awards are paid to clients whose symptoms are the most severe or whose injury has had the greatest or longest impact on their life. The awards for general damages are set out by the Judicial College, which belongs to the Ministry of Justice. According to them, you could receive:
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Hand Injuries | Total loss or effective loss of both hands | £113,575 to £162,800 |
| Serious damage to both hands resulting in permanent disability and serious loss of function | £45,430 to £68,365 | |
| Total loss or effective loss of one hand | £77,715 to £88,660 | |
| Serious hand injuries with permanent disability, disfigurement and significant loss of use | £24,430 to £50,050 | |
| Serious hand injuries such as a crush injury or deep laceration that results in significantly impaired function | £11,660 to £23,430 | |
| Moderate hand injury with some permanent disability | £5,060 to £10,725 | |
| Minor hand injuries with a full recovery made within a few months | £737 to £3,509 | |
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
| Finger Injuries | Amputation of index finger and either the middle or ring finger, resulting in limited grip and use | £50,050 to £73,315 |
| Severe fractures to fingers resulting in deformity and possible partial amputation | Up to £29,700 | |
| Complete loss of an index finger | In the region of £15,125 | |
| Partial loss of an index finger | £9,845 to £15,125 | |
| Fractured index finger leaving permanently impaired grip or pain | £7,370 to £9,900 | |
| Complete loss of a middle finger | In the region of £12,650 | |
| Serious ring or middle finger injuries resulting in permanent loss of grip | £12,100 to £13,200 | |
| Loss of the end of the middle or ring finger | £3,190 to £6,325 | |
| Amputation of the little finger | £6,985 to £9,900 | |
| Partial loss of the little finger | £3,190 to £4,730 | |
| Loss of the end of both the middle and index fingers | In the region of £20,185 | |
| Fracture to one finger | Up to £3,850 | |
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
| Thumb Injuries | Loss of a thumb | £28,710 to £44,330 |
| Very serious thumb injury with permanent disability and loss of use | £15,840 to £28,325 | |
| Serious thumb injuries resulting in permanent sensitivity or impaired grip | £10,175 to £13,530 | |
| Moderate thumb injury such as tendon or nerve damage causing impaired function or sensation | £7,810 to £10,175 | |
| Serious thumb dislocation | £3,190 to £5,500 | |
| Minor thumb injury such as a fracture which recovers within six months | Up to £3,190 | |
| Minor thumb injury with complete recovery within a few months | Up to £1,782 | |
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
| Vibration White Finger (VWF) and/or Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) | VWF and/or HAVS with significant symptoms to both hands of a younger person requiring a change of employment | £25,575 to £31,075 |
| VWF and/or HAVS with symptoms occurring throughout the year | £13,530 to £25,575 | |
| VWF and/or HAVS with symptoms mainly in cold weather and limited impact on employment | £6,985 to £13,530 | |
| VWF and/or HAVS with only occasional symptoms | £2,420 to £6,985 |
How long do I have to make a hand injury claim?
The standard time limit to make a hand injury claim is three years after an accident. It is set out by the Limitation Act 1980, which also states that if you do not take legal action within the time limit, your case becomes statute-barred, and you would not be able to proceed with a claim afterwards.
There are several cases in which the time limit to claim hand injury compensation differs from the usual three-year period:
- If your injury developed over time or your symptoms became apparent later after an accident, the three-year countdown begins on the date you received a diagnosis.
- With child accident claims, a parent or another adult could initiate a hand injury claim on their behalf at any time. The three-year countdown begins once the victim turns 18, and they will have until their 21st birthday to start legal proceedings.
- The time limit to claim hand injury compensation is suspended if the victim lacks the mental capacity to handle a legal case themselves. This could be due to an intellectual disability, mental health disorder, neurodegenerative condition or elevated levels of stress.
- If you suffered an injury outside of the UK, you should still be entitled to compensation, but the time limit to claim can vary from country to country and may be much shorter than three years.
- If your hand injury was due to a violent crime, the time limit to make a CICA claim is two years after the event.
- You have seven years to start a hand injury claim through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme if you had an accident while serving in the military.
No matter the circumstances of your accident or the severity of your hand injury, you should always seek legal advice as soon as possible. That will ensure the details of your accident will be fresh in your mind and will make it easier for your injury lawyer to gather evidence and build a strong hand injury claim.
How much will it cost to make a claim?
During your initial free case assessment, a legal adviser will determine whether you have a valid hand injury claim with a fair chance of success. If your case has merit, they will offer you the chance to pursue compensation through a no win no fee service*.
The no win no fee agreement offers every victim of negligence the chance to file a personal injury claim, regardless of their financial situation. This is made possible by:
- A conditional fee agreement (CFA) you sign with your solicitor at the beginning of your claim
The CFA states that you do not have to pay any upfront fees to your solicitor. They will prepare all the legal documents required to claim, talk to witnesses, gather evidence and conduct negotiations on your behalf at no cost to you.
If they manage to secure the hand injury compensation you deserve, you will pay them a success fee of up to 25% of your award. This is discussed from the beginning, and there are no hidden charges. If they lose the claim, you will not pay your solicitor a single penny, regardless of how much time and work they put into your case.
- The After the Event (ATE) insurance policy
Before starting legal proceedings, your solicitor will take out an ATE insurance policy on your behalf. It is a legal expenses insurance which guarantees that you will incur no out-of-pocket expenses if your case fails and covers:
- The cost of the defendant’s solicitor
- Court and counsel fees
- Travel costs related to the claim
- Costs of printing and copying
- Police and medical reports
- Barrister fees if your case goes to trial
Similar to the CFA between you and your solicitor, you only have to cover the cost of the insurance premium if you win your hand injury claim. Otherwise, you do not have to pay anything for the ATE insurance policy.
Arrange a free case assessment
If you would like to have your claim assessed by a friendly and experienced legal adviser, call 0800 470 0474 today to arrange your case assessment. This is a service that is provided free of charge and without any obligation on you to proceed. Alternatively, you can arrange a call back by filling out our online claim form.
If you have a valid hand injury claim, an experienced solicitor will be happy to provide you with a 100% no win no fee service. This means you have no upfront costs and no financial risk if your claim is unsuccessful. If your solicitor is unable to win your case, you will not pay them a penny.