Hand Injury Compensation Claims & Settlement Values

Types of hand injury that can form a claim

Our specialist personal injury solicitors can pursue a claim for any hand injury that is of a certain severity, as long as the injury was caused by the negligent actions of someone else.

The most common types of hand injury that lead to clients instructing us to make a no win no fee claim are:

• Bone breaks, fractures and crushing injuries. The hand is a vital part of daily life for any person and bone injuries can be extremely painful, leading to diminished dexterity and reduced independence. The injured person is unlikely to be able to drive temporarily and will struggle to work as normal if they have to use tools or operate a keyboard.
• Soft tissue hand injuries such as ligament sprains and strains, tendon damage, muscle tears and contusions. Grip strength and fine movements of the hand are governed by the soft tissues and damage to these can greatly restrict dexterity and prevent full use of the hand until a full recovery is made.
• Lacerations to the hand – cuts to the fingers or hand can lead to nerve damage and scarring that can reduce sensation and impair grip strength. When nerve damage is caused, the loss of sensation can greatly affect the ability to perform even the most basic tasks.
• Dermatitis
• Vibration White Finger
• Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Evidence and liability to succeed

To succeed with a claim for hand injury compensation it is vital that a specialist solicitor is able to identify the correct evidence to support the claim. It must be demonstrated that the injury was avoidable and was only caused because of the negligent acts of an employer, an organisation or a 3rd party such as a motorist.

Road traffic accidents

In road traffic accidents, a hand injury is often sustained if a rider is thrown from a bicycle or motorbike, or by impacting on a steering wheel in a car. In such cases, the details of the other driver responsible for the accident will be needed as it is their insurers who will face a claim. In cases where the identity of the other driver are unknown or they were uninsured, our specialist solicitors can pursue a claim for compensation via the Motor Insurers Bureau schemes.

Accidents in public

For hand injuries sustained as a result of a fall in a public place or a slip on a wet floor, the owner of the land or company responsible for the maintenance of the accident site could be liable. In such cases it is important to make sure that the accident details are reported with the cause of any trip or slip noted in an accident book.

Work accidents

If you suffer a hand injury at work, you could make a claim against your employer. Any person involved in an accident at work, whether using machinery without adequate training or after a fall from height, should make sure that an accident book entry is completed. The negligence that lead to the hand injury – such as a lack of training or using a broken machine should be included on any record of the accident.

If you haven’t been able to record your injury in an accident book, or your employer won’t let you, don’t worry, we can help.

Medical evidence is very important when it comes to making a claim for hand injury compensation and your medical records will form the basis of your claim. Your solicitor can arrange for you to see a hand injury specialist who will write a detailed report about the severity of your injury to use as evidence.

Hand injury compensation amounts

The full value of a claim for hand injury compensation will only be known once relevant medical evidence is obtained and an understanding of the injury length or amount of recovery is reached.

We’ll arrange for a hand injury specialist to assess your injury and review your medical records. Our specialist solicitors will make sure that your hand injury claim settlement value is maximised by taking in to account:

• Length of time of your pain and suffering
• Medical costs
• How your hand injury affects your day-to-day personal activities and sporting interests
• Loss of income and personal expenses caused by the hand injury
• Scarring and level of recovery

If your hand injury is ongoing and of a serious nature preventing you from being able to work, our solicitors will seek an interim settlement to help you cope with a loss of income.

The amounts below are for the injury itself, but you can also claim for special damages which would include your expenses and rehabilitation therapies, for example.

Total or effective loss of both hands

For serious injury resulting in extensive damage to both hands so that they are rendered little more than useless, compensation amounts range between around £100,000 and £170,000.

Serious damage to both hands

This covers injuries that have given rise to permanent cosmetic disability and significant loss of function. Here, settlement values fall between £40,000 and £70,000

Total or effective loss of one hand

This would apply to a hand which was crushed and then surgically amputated, or where all fingers and most of the palm have been amputated. If it is the dominant hand, values will be higher. They range between £70,000 and £90,000.

Amputation of index and middle and/or ring fingers

Here the hand will have rendered of very little use and grip will be exceedingly weak. Compensation amounts tend to fall between £45,000 and £75,000.

Serious hand injuries

Where use of the hand is reduced by around 50%, for example if several fingers have been amputated but rejoined to the hand leaving unsightly appearance and a reduction of grip and dexterity, values range between £20,000 and £50,000.

Less serious hand injuries

For example, a severely crushed hand that is left with significantly impaired function can expect compensation of between £10,000 and £25,000.

Moderate hand injury

This covers crush injuries, penetrating wounds, soft tissue damage and deep lacerations. Here, amounts range between around £4,000 and £11,000 depending on severity.

Minor hand injuries

Less serious than the above, with recovery within a few months, minor hand injuries attract values of between £700 and £4,000.

Severe fractures to fingers

These may lead to partial amputations and result in deformity, impairment of grip, reduced mechanical function and disturbed sensation. Compensation amounts can be up to £30,000.

Total loss of index finger

£14,000 – £16,000

Partial loss of index finger

£9,000 – £16,000

Fracture of index finger

£7,000 – £10,000

Total loss of middle finger

£11,000 – £13,000

Serious injury to ring or middle fingers

£11,000 – £14,000

Loss of the tip of a ring or middle finger

£3,000 – £7,000

Amputation of a little finger

£6,000 – £10,000

Loss of part of a little finger

£3,000 – £5,000

Amputation of ring and little fingers

£16,000 – £18,000

Fracture of one finger

Up to £3,600, depending on recovery time.

Loss of thumb

£27,000 – £46,000

Very serious injury to the thumb

This would include where the thumb has been severed at the base and grafted back on, but leaving a virtually useless and deformed digit, or a partial amputation. Amounts here range between £15,000 and £30,000.

Serious injury to the thumb

For example, amputation of the tip, nerve damage or fracture requiring the insertion of wires, as a result of which the thumb is cold and ultra-sensitive and there is impaired grip and dexterity. Compensation here would fall between £9,000 and £15,000.

Moderate injuries to the thumb

This covers injuries which result in impairment of sensation and function, and cosmetic deformity. Possibly through damage to nerves and tendons. Settlement values range from £7,000 to £11,000.

Minor injuries to the thumb

For example, a fracture which recovers within six months but leaves stiffness and discomfort, could be awarded up to £3,000.

Trivial thumb injuries

These may have caused severe pain for a very short time but recovered within a few months, attracting settlement values of up to £2,000.

How can I start my claim?

If you have suffered a hand injury within the last 3 years and believe it was caused by the negligent actions of another, a broken pavement surface or other hazard in a public environment, you can start a claim for hand injury compensation today.

Our expert friendly staff know your rights and will quickly help you to identify the right course of action. You can start your claim online and we’ll call you to explain the claims process, answer any questions you may have and get the ball rolling. Alternatively, request a call back and one of our expert team will be in touch to offer help, or simply call us on 01225 430285.