Common hand injuries at work
10,000s of employees report hand injuries every year, according to figures published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Of these, over 8,000 were injuries to fingers, and just over 5,000 injuries each to hands and wrists.
Injuries reportedly ranged from deep lacerations and abrasions, to bone fractures and crushing, and in severe cases, amputation.
You are likely to be entitled to claim compensation if your work accident was caused by:
- A co-worker's actions or negligence, or,
- Your employer's negligence
This could include:
- Burns and scarring to the hands caused by poor-quality gloves or PPE
- Cuts, bruising and crush injuries caused by defective equipment, or machinery without safety guards
- Manual handling injuries caused by a lack of training or supervision
What to do if you suffered a hand injury at work
See a medical expert
If you have been given first aid treatment by your work's first aider, or by an on-site nurse, you should still make an appointment to see your GP.
Seeing a medical expert will help to ensure your injuries do not become worse or develop into chronic conditions. You will also have accurate medical records to support an injury claim if you decide to make one at a later date.
Find out more: Key things you need to do when getting medical help for a work injury
Gather evidence the accident
To make a successful hand injury claim, you will need to prove how the accident was caused. You should keep any letters, paperwork, emails and reports you receive.
Keeping a detailed file on the accident and your injuries can make an injury claim much easier.
Find out more: Gathering evidence after a work injury - checklist
Reporting a hand injury
When you report the accident, you should give as much information as you can about what happened, and about any injuries you have suffered.If you remember anything about the accident after the report is filed, you should notify your employer in writing (e.g. by email). If your hand injury makes it difficult to type, you could ask a friend, family member or colleague to make notes, or use a recording app on your phone.
Can I make a hand injury claim?
As a general rule, you can claim compensation if you were injured in an accident at work caused by the negligence of your employer or a co-worker. You must start your claim within three years of the accident.
Financial support after a hand injury accident
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is available to workers who have made National Insurance contributions in the last two years and is also available if you are self-employed. Otherwise, you should be entitled to receive Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
In addition to Government support, you may be entitled to make a claim against the company's employers' liability insurance for injury compensation.
How will my employment status affect my right to claim?
The claims process for full-time workers is generally simpler than for self-employed contracts or agency workers, but you should still be able to claim compensation.
Read more about claiming if you are:
How much hand injury compensation could I claim?
Injury compensation is worked out using an official table of guideline amounts. More serious injuries (including those which will have a significant impact on someone's life and ability to work) will be awarded more compensation. It is possible to claim for multiple injuries.
Hand injuries like lacerations, bruises and sprains that heal within a few weeks will have smaller compensation awards than injuries causing long-term symptoms. Amputations and other serious hand injuries that cause permanent damage and loss of function will be awarded much higher compensation amounts.
During the claims process, your solicitor will arrange for an assessment of your injuries to determine which guideline amounts to apply.
You can also claim for lost earnings, property damage and other costs, like travel expenses and the cost of adjustments to your home.
No win, no fee hand injury claims
Work injury claims in the UK are usually made with the help of a solicitor. Most work accident solicitors work on a "No Win, No Fee" basis. This means that you will only pay any legal fees if your claim is successful.
The solicitor's fees will be paid out of the compensation award for your hand injury.
Speak to us today if you have any questions about how No Win, No Fee injury claims work.
Our work injury advisors will:
- Offer free, impartial advice
- Explain how No Win, No Fee works
- Recommend the right solicitor