Introduction
Hand injuries are common in workplaces where machinery, tools and manual handling tasks are part of daily work. Even minor injuries can make it difficult to perform everyday activities, while severe cases may involve long-term disability or amputation. If your hand injury was caused by unsafe working conditions, lack of training, or defective equipment, you may be entitled to compensation.
This page explains common hand injuries, employer duties, the evidence that strengthens your case, and how much you could claim.
At a glance
- Over 1,000 amputations and crush injuries affecting hands and fingers were reported under RIDDOR in 2022/23 (Source: WAAC analysis of the HSE RIDDOR data published 2024)
- Hand injuries at work include cuts, fractures, crush injuries, burns and amputations.
- Employers must comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act and PUWER regulations.
- Compensation can cover pain and suffering, medical treatment, lost income and care costs.
- You usually have three years from the accident or diagnosis to begin a claim.
Report your injury and get treated the same day. Take a photo of cuts or swelling. Say if it is your dominant hand and how gripping tools or typing is affected. Keeping these details will help your claim.
John Kushnick
Legal Operations Director (NAL)
What is a hand injury at work?
A hand injury is any harm to the fingers, palm, wrist or entire hand caused by a workplace accident. Because hands are used in almost every task, injuries can have serious effects on work and daily life. Common examples of hand injuries sustained at work include:
- Lacerations – from knives, tools, or broken glass.
- Fractures – from falls, falling objects, or machinery accidents.
- Crush injuries – caused by heavy loads, vehicles or industrial machinery.
- Burns – from hot surfaces, chemicals, or electrical faults.
- Amputations – from serious machinery accidents or severe crush incidents.
See: HSE: Hand safety at work.
Examples of hand injuries and workplace causes
| Injury type | Common cause | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Laceration | Contact with knives, saws, or sharp edges | Scarring, tendon damage, loss of dexterity |
| Fractured hand | Falls, falling objects, collisions | Pain, reduced grip, weeks off work |
| Crush injury | Machinery, forklifts, falling heavy items | Severe tissue damage, amputation risk |
| Burn injury | Hot machinery, chemicals, electrical faults | Blistering, permanent scarring, nerve damage |
| Amputation | Unguarded machinery or major crush injury | Permanent disability, prosthetic use, loss of function |
Am I eligible to claim?
You may be able to claim if:
- Your hand injury happened at work within the last three years, and
- Your employer failed to provide training, PPE, safe machinery or safe systems of work, and
- Medical evidence confirms the injury and its link to the accident.
Unsure? See Do I have a claim and The claim process.
How much compensation can I claim?
The value of a hand injury claim depends on your individual circumstances. Compensation is made up of two parts:
- General damages: for the pain, suffering and impact on your quality of life.
- Special damages: for financial losses such as lost earnings, medical treatment, rehabilitation and travel expenses.
Our compensation calculator uses the latest Judicial College Guidelines to estimate how much you could claim. It considers the type and seriousness of your injuries, multiple injuries where relevant, and any additional financial losses.
When is my employer responsible?
Employers are responsible under the Health and Safety at Work Act and the PUWER regulations. They must:
- Ensure machinery is properly guarded and maintained.
- Provide PPE such as gloves and protective clothing.
- Train employees in safe tool and machinery use.
- Carry out risk assessments and enforce safe systems of work.
If these duties are ignored, employers may be liable. See also Inadequate PPE injury claims.
Employment status and hand injury claims
Hand injuries from machinery, blades and power tools are a known risk in construction and manufacturing. Your contract type shouldn’t stop a claim where safety standards were breached. See how employment status affects your claim:
Evidence that strengthens a hand injury claim
- Medical records and x-rays showing the injury.
- Accident book entries and incident reports.
- Photographs of the accident site, tools or machinery involved.
- Training records and PPE provision records.
- Witness statements from co-workers.
Time limits for hand injury claims
The standard time limit is three years from the accident date or from when you realised your injury was linked to your work (the “date of knowledge”). Exceptions apply for children and people lacking capacity. Read more in time limits for claims.
FAQs
New to claims? Start with our work injury claim guide, or see the full work injury claim FAQs.
Can I claim if I already had a hand condition?
Yes. If work aggravated or worsened a pre-existing condition, you may still be able to claim. See claims for pre-existing conditions.
What if I was not provided with protective gloves?
Your employer may be liable if they failed to provide adequate PPE. See Inadequate PPE claims.
Do I need a medical assessment?
Yes. An independent medical expert will assess your hand injury and provide a report to help value your claim. See What happens at a medical appointment.
Have you been injured at work?
If you have been injured at work in the last 3 years, you may be able to claim financial compensation.
Find out more about making a work accident claim:
- Do you qualify?
- How much compensation could you get?
- How does No Win, No Fee work?
Read more: Work accident claim guide
One quick call can give you clarity and confidence about your options after a work accident. A specialist advisor will:
- Give free, confidential and impartial advice
- Explain clearly how No Win, No Fee works
- Connect you with the right solicitor for your case
You're under no pressure to claim. We'll get you the right advice, when you need it.
About the author
Chris Salmon is a legal commentator and co-founder of Quittance Legal Services. He has written extensively about workplace accidents, employment rights and the claims process. Chris's work has been cited in national media and he regularly contributes practical guidance to help injured workers understand their options.
Last reviewed October 2025 by Chris Salmon
External references
- NHS: Hand injuries and conditions - provides information on hand injuries, including causes, treatments, and when to seek medical help, relevant for workplace injury claims.
- PUWER Regulations 1998 - outlines the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, ensuring machinery safety to prevent hand injuries at work.
- GOV.UK: Compensation after an accident or injury - explains the process for claiming compensation for hand injuries sustained in workplace accidents.
- HSE: Workplace injury statistics - provides data on workplace injuries, including hand injuries, to support compensation claims.