Finger Injury Claims
Claim Compensation for a Finger or Thumb Injury
As you explore the possibility of making a finger injury compensation claim, it's important to understand the different types of finger injuries, how they occur, and what you can do to support your claim.
“Fielding a first class, very well resourced team of litigators, the personal injury department at Osbornes is rated for its diverse workload of complex, high-value injury claims.”
“Osbornes is a well-regarded personal injury practice well equipped to advise on high-value and high-profile claims.”
Fingers are easy to overlook and take for granted but, collectively, they are responsible for more than 50% of the hand’s functionality. It is not until they are injured that we realise how much we rely on our fingers for grip strength, dexterity and overall working of the hand.
Finger injuries can significantly impact a person’s life and livelihood. Whether you’ve suffered a finger injury at work, in a road accident, or through other circumstances, understanding your rights to compensation is crucial.
If you have suffered a finger injury or thumb injury, we can help. If your injury was caused by the negligence of a third party, you may be eligible to make a no win no fee compensation claim. This guide will explore the various aspects of finger injury claims, from common types and causes to compensation amounts and eligibility.
Table of Contents
What are the common types of finger injury?
There is a surprisingly wide range of finger injuries that can occur due to a variety of different causes. Some of the more common finger injuries our team of personal injury solicitors have successfully handled include:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Fractured or broken fingers
- Dislocated fingers
- Crushed fingers
- Severed fingers
- Burns and scarring
- Trigger finger, when the finger gets stuck in bent position
- Vibration white finger caused by operating hand-held power tools
- Overuse and repetitive strain injuries
In many cases, the treatments for a finger injury are limited. Splinting may be the only option, alongside time away from hand-orientated activities to allow for healing. This can interfere with everyday tasks such as driving, housework or using your mobile phone.
Conditions that may be helped with surgery include fractures, trigger finger and crush injuries that have resulted in nerve damage. Recovery can be made easier if the right treatment and rehabilitation is provided in a timely fashion.
This can lead to an understandable desire to investigate the possibility of a finger injury claim. The compensation awarded can cover the costs of any lost earnings due to time off work, rehabilitation fees and medical expenses.
What are the common causes of finger injury?
Some of the most common causes of a finder injury include:
Traumatic accident at work. Some workplaces are inherently more dangerous than others, which can increase the risk of finger injuries. This includes industries such as manufacturing, construction, vehicle repair, agriculture, commercial kitchens and food processing. Incidents may result from:
- Dangerous machinery in the workplace causing crush injuries and severed fingers
- Fingers getting caught, jammed or pinched in or between doors or other objects
- Cutting fingers on saws, knives or other sharp tools
- Objects being dropped onto fingers from height
- Burns from hot surfaces or chemicals
Employers have a legal obligation to ensure the safety of their employees while they are at work. If an employer has failed in this duty, for example, they fail to provide adequate training or gloves, then you may be able to make a finger injury compensation claim against your employer.
Overuse injuries at work. Another type of work-related injury occurs when the hands and fingers are subjected to repetitive movements, causing pain in the muscles, nerves and tendons. Claims for finger injuries due to repetitive strain typically arise when workers are required to perform the same task over and over for extended periods, especially when they’re done in uncomfortable positions or at a rapid pace.
Prolonged use of hand-held power tools can also cause finger injury in the form of vibration white finger, a type of nerve damage resulting in chronic discomfort and impaired finger functionality.
Taking adequate breaks can decrease the likelihood of an overuse and repetitive strain injury. If an employer has not planned work assignments and schedules with your safety in mind, then you may be eligible to make a finger injury compensation claim.
Road accidents. Due to the forces involved in car accidents, any driver, passenger, motorcyclist or cyclist caught up in a road accident will experience some type of finger injury more often than not. Fingers injuries incurred in this situation can be very serious, for example:
- Tears in the ligaments or tendons of the finger
- Fractures and avulsion fractures, where pieces of bone get pulled away from the main bone
- Dislocation of one or more fingers
- Crushing injuries and loss of fingers due to amputation after being crushed by a car door or other object. Find out more about amputation claims.
If you have suffered a finger injury in a road accident, talk with one of our expert car accident solicitors to see if you can make a claim for compensation.
Slips and fall accidents. Finger injuries commonly arise in slips trips and falls due to the hand being used to break the fall. This can lead to fractures, dislocations, torn ligaments or a sprained thumb.
Liability for slips and falls in the workplace rests with the employer. In other public places, it rests with property owners who have failed to uphold their duty of care in maintaining safe conditions, potentially leading to a finger injury compensation claim.
How is finger injury compensation calculated?
Many people assume that the type of accident they were involved in will determine the amount of compensation they can receive. However, this is not the case. Compensation is based on the severity of the injury and the long-term impact it has on your life.
To establish this, your solicitor will arrange for you to visit an independent medical expert who specialises in your type of injury. The expert will assess your injury and determine how serious it is, how long it will take you to recover, how much time you will need to take off work, and whether you may need further treatment or rehabilitation in the future.
The medical report is a valuable piece of evidence in your finger injury compensation claim. It will help to ensure that you receive the appropriate amount of compensation to cover your needs, both now and in the future.
Finger injury compensation is made up of two parts: general damages and special damages.
General damages
General damages refer to the injury itself. Compensation for this aspect of your claim is calculated according to guidelines set by the Judicial College.
The guidelines recognise that some fingers are more important than others for the functioning of your hand. The thumb and index finger are considered the most important digits, and compensation will generally be higher for injuries affecting those fingers.
Special damages
Special damages cover all out-of-pocket expenses and financial losses such as lost wages, medical bills, travel expenses and the cost of any personal care you need while recovering from your injury. You will need receipts to back up these expenses, and the amount you can claim will differ from case to case.
Special damages also include an amount for anticipated future expenses. For example, if your finger injury means you have to take a lower-paying job or work fewer hours in the future, you can claim for lost future income. Additionally, if you require ongoing medical treatment or rehabilitation, this will also be factored into your special damages claim.
What are some average finger injury compensation payouts?
When considering how much compensation for finger injury you might receive, it’s important to understand that the amounts can vary significantly based on the severity and type of injury. The Judicial College Guidelines provide a framework for calculating these compensation amounts, which are typically divided into general and special damages. If you’re seeking information on how much compensation you can receive for a finger injury, here are some amounts to consider:
- Minor thumb or index finger injury recovering in 6 months – up to £4,055
- Serious middle finger injury causing permanent loss of grip – £12,700 to £13,940
- Serious thumb injury causing permanent loss of grip – £16,720 to £29,860
- Severe fractured fingers leading to possible amputation – Up to £31,350
- Loss of little finger – £7,380 to £10,440
- Loss of index finger – £10,380 to £15,990
- Loss of thumb – £30,300 to £46,780
Average settlement for trigger finger
Trigger finger is a condition that affects the tendons in the fingers or thumb, causing them to catch or lock when bent. Compensation for trigger finger typically falls within the following ranges:*
- Minor injuries recovering within 6 months: up to £4,055
- More serious cases with longer-term effects: £12,700 to £13,940
Thumb injury compensation amounts
Thumb injuries often receive higher compensation due to the digit’s importance:
- Minor thumb injury recovering in 6 months: up to £4,055
- Serious thumb injury causing permanent loss of grip: £16,720 to £29,860
- Loss of thumb: £30,300 to £46,780
White finger compensation payouts
White finger, also known as vibration white finger or hand-arm vibration syndrome, is an occupational injury that can result in significant compensation. The payout amount depends on the severity and impact on daily life, typically ranging from £2,700 for minor cases to over £30,000 for severe cases.
Broken finger compensation amount
Compensation for broken fingers varies based on severity:
- Minor fractures recovering within 6 months: up to £4,055
- Severe fractured fingers leading to possible amputation: Up to £31,350
Compensation for losing tip of finger
Compensation for losing the tip of a finger typically falls between the amounts for minor injuries and full finger loss. Based on the provided information, estimates range from £7,380 to £10,440, using the range for loss of little finger as a reference.
Compensation for finger injury at work
Finger injuries at work are common and can result in significant compensation. How much compensation for losing a finger at work depends on various factors, including the specific finger injured and the impact on your ability to work.
- Loss of index finger: £10,380 to £15,990
- Loss of little finger: £7,380 to £10,440
For more severe cases, such as losing multiple fingers or experiencing a significant impact on your career, compensation could be higher.
Am I eligible for finger injury compensation?
To make a successful finger injury claim, it’s necessary to prove that someone was responsible for your accident, and that person owed you a duty of care.
Where the finger was sustained in a work accident, your personal injury solicitor will consult all relevant health and safety regulations to show that your employer failed in their legal obligations to keep you safe. For example, they did not provide gloves or failed to provide adequate training on how to use chemicals or machinery safely.
Road traffic accidents are another common cause of finger injuries. Road users owe a duty of care to each other and must act responsibly when using the roads to keep each other safe. In this scenario, your solicitor will gather evidence such as police reports and witness statements to show that the other driver was at fault for your injury.
Even if it isn’t certain who caused the accident, a claim may still be made. For example, if your finger was injured in a hit and run accident, then you may be able to make a claim against the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.
How long do I have to make a finger injury compensation claim?
In most cases, you have three years from the date of the accident or the date you discovered your injury to make a claim.
However, there are exceptions to this rule for children and vulnerable people which your personal injury solicitor will explain.
We recommend starting the claims process as soon as possible. While three years may seem like a long time, it can take a while to gather evidence and build a strong case.
Starting early also means you are less likely to forget important details about your accident that could help support your claim.
Can you trust a finger injury claim calculator?
Using a finger injury claim calculator might seem convenient, but these tools often produce inaccurate and misleading results. They cannot factor in key details such as the long-term effects of your injury, your financial losses, or the specific circumstances surrounding your case. Personal injury claims are complex and require an expert review to ensure an accurate compensation estimate.
For a more reliable estimate, speak to our team today.
Why choose Osbornes Law?
At Osbornes Law, we understand how challenging it can be to cope with a finger injury. It’s not just the physical pain and discomfort; it’s the impact on your everyday life, work and finances.
We have over 50 years of experience in successfully handling personal injury claims, including very serious finger injuries. Our expert team of solicitors will fight for your right to maximum compensation, ensuring you receive the support you need to get back on your feet.
We are known as a leading law firm for personal injury cases. We are accredited by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and our team includes members of The Law Society’s Personal Injury Panel, a scheme for solicitors with proven excellence in personal injury law.
Our transparent no win no fee arrangement means you don’t have to worry about upfront legal fees. We only get paid if we win your case, making it risk-free for you.
What other types of injuries can I claim for?
We have helped clients claim compensation for a wide range of injuries including:
Questions about Finger Injury Claims
Can I claim for compensation for a flexor tendon injury?
Flexor tendon injuries can be serious and often occur in the workplace, particularly in jobs requiring manual labour or the use of machinery. Flexor tendons are crucial for bending the fingers and thumb, and injury to them can significantly impact a person’s ability to work and perform daily activities.
Flexor tendon compensation claims are complex due to the nature of the injuries and their impact on an individual’s life. The process for making a claim involves demonstrating that the injury was caused by an accident that could have been prevented if proper safety measures were in place.
Can I claim for a finger or thumb tendon injury due to medical negligence?
To successfully claim compensation for a tendon injury, you would need to demonstrate that the level of care provided by a health professional was below what a competent professional would reasonably provide under similar circumstances and that there was a clear link between the negligence and the injury.
Can I claim compensation for trigger finger?
Trigger finger is a condition that affects the tendons in the fingers or thumb. It occurs when inflammation narrows the space within the sheath that surrounds the tendon in the affected finger. This can cause pain, stiffness, and a sensation of locking, as if pulling a trigger, when the finger is bent and straightened. The medical name for trigger finger is stenosing tenosynovitis.
If you have suffered from trigger finger and you believe it has been caused due to your working environment, you may be entitled to make a claim.
Osbornes fields a solid team of high quality practitioners, active in a range of catastrophic injury claims.
Osbornes prepares cases well; the whole team is good and lawyers there know their stuff.
They deal with people compassionately and take on the right amount of detail. The firm has some really brilliant key solicitors.
The personal injury team is responsive and its level of service towards clients and other professionals is exceptional and high quality
The team offers specialist expertise in cycling-related injury claims and regularly acts for foreign nationals.
It has considerable experience in cases arising from motor accidents and accidents at work
Osbornes is a well-regarded personal injury practice well equipped to advise on high-value and high-profile claims.
Their team includes bright, hard-working solicitors dedicated to achieving successful outcomes for their clients from partner level to paralegal. Their client care is exceptional.
They are a team who are highly respected in the PI sector.
This is an excellent PI team doing a broad range of PI work.
Osbornes’ ‘highly respected‘ personal injury team is experienced in a range of complex, high-value claims, with notable strength in acting for European clients for whom English is not a first language.
Osbornes’ ‘highly respected‘ personal injury team is experienced in a range of complex, high-value claims
Osbornes’ ‘highly respected‘ personal injury team is experienced in a range of complex, high-value claims.
"Osbornes always provides work of excellent quality and the advice is sound."
"The firm has the ability to handle the most sophisticated and complex matters."
"Osbornes is always client-focused and works tirelessly to obtain the best outcomes."
'The team deals with multi-million pound, often multifaceted claims, involving such factors as severe brain, psychiatric, gynaecological and spinal injury, major trauma, amputation and fatality.'
"They are a boutique firm with highly experienced partners who are well-respected in the industry."
"The team at Osbornes deals with catastrophic injury claims with the same professionalism as the largest firms, but provides a much more client-focused experience."
"A really first-rate team, well capable of dealing with the most serious and complex injuries."
"This team has carved out an exceptional reputation in catastrophic injury work."
"Osbornes has impressed me with their personal touch for clients whilst offering a first-class handling of catastrophic injury claims. The partners all have vast experience and are highly respected in their field."
"This is a really excellent personal injury team that can be regarded as one of the major players in the London claimant personal injury market."
"Osbornes have managed to recruit a team of outstanding catastrophic injury lawyers who are at the top of the game."
"They punch well above their weight. The quality of service they provide equals that of any of the larger top-name firms in this area"
Ben Posford is fiercely bright, with an unrivalled passion for his clients’ cases. His encyclopaedic knowledge of all things PI is second to none. His foresight and commercial nous have propelled Osbornes into the highest echelons of the market where they rightly belong.
The firm has an excellent and innovative line in cases involving non-English speaking claimants, managed by recruiting paralegals with multi-language skills – an impressive route for expansion of the caseload.
Great expanding team with expertise and respect in the sector. Led by a commercially savvy and business minded team.
A really excellent group of PI solicitors, notable for their individual quality.’
A niche firm that punches well above its weight in the catastrophic injury sector, borne out by the quality of work they obtain.
This combination of experience and diligence reaps massive rewards for clients, Osbornes being well known in the industry as a fantastic firm.
The Osbornes personal injury team now comprises some of the most technically adept and hard hitting lawyers in the business.
Ben Posford is one of London’s best catastrophic injury lawyers, in my view. He is a real brain injury specialist.
Excellent coverage of personal injury, and traumatic brain injury. There is a real specialism in claimants who do not speak English as a first language.
The group is noted for its expertise in matters relating to cycling injuries, and is the official legal partner of the London Cycling Campaign charity.
To complement its strong reputation for high-value and complex personal injury work, the firm continues to develop its 'excellent and innovative line in cases involving non-English speaking claimants'
"Osbornes comprises some of the most technically adept and hard hitting lawyers in the business"
"A small but high-powered team, dealing with cases of significant value and complexity."
"An excellent firm which achieves fantastic outcomes for clients."
"Osbornes Law have captured the magic of keeping the customer service levels of a smaller firm whilst having all the expertise and power of the biggest firms."
"A superb boutique catastrophic injury firm."
"Really good at dealing with people who have suffered a serious injury."
"Affable and charming with very good client-handling skills."
"superb firm with consummate professionals and a human touch."
Osbornes now has a team of highly experienced personal injury lawyers; particularly strong on high-value quantum cases, workplace accidents and claims involving foreign workers injured in the UK.
The team provides fantastic strength-in-depth for personal injury claims. It is also particularly well placed to service clients from Eastern Europe with specialist native language speakers. From the smallest case to a multimillion-pound spinal injury case, Osbornes has the right staff to manage every claim.
Ben Posford remains pre-eminent in his field with expert understanding of litigating cases of the upmost severity. His experience builds on Stuart Kightley’s running of the firm with recent partner additions of Rob Aylott making a fantastic addition.
A firm going from strength-to strength-which retains its client care whilst being able to offer a full personal injury service.
Beneath Ben Posford’s calm and reassuring presence, which clients love, lies a formidable tactical and legal brain. His experience tells and he gets it right at every stage of the process from arranging the best possible rehabilitation, to ensuring, so far as possible, a polite relationship with those acting for the defendant in order to ensure best and early resolution of the claim.
"Clients say he is very impressive, in terms of both his experience and his management of the personal injury team."
"They have an expanding profile in personal injury and clinical negligence and offer a superb, broad service in accidents abroad, enabled by their recruitment of bilingual legal executives who can guide non-English speakers through complex litigation."
"Solid personal injury practice well equipped to advise on high-value and high-profile claims arising from fatalities and severe head and spinal injuries."
"Offers specialist expertise in cycling-related injury claims."
"Offers specialist expertise in cauda equina syndrome cases."
"An exceptional outfit. They take on difficult cases, fight hard and win."
"Stuart Kightley is an incredibly empathetic solicitor who is very knowledgeable about traumatic brain injury."
"They are an outstanding firm to work with. They are consistently impressive in their work."
"Osbornes often handles claims valued at over £1m, particularly relating to severe brain and spinal cord injuries and niche areas such as cauda equina syndrome and cycling accidents."
"The hard-working, thorough and committed Robert Aylott, who brings significant heavyweight personal injury experience."
"Key team members include the energetic and personable Stuart Kightley who is head of the personal injury department."
"Osbornes has a growing influence and impressive work load and is gaining a reputation for handling complex catastrophic work."
"Catastrophic injury cases head Ben Posford is an excellent practical litigator who offers exceptional service."
"Stuart is also very experienced in advising on fatal accidents and workplace accidents."
Thank you for the hard work and patience and for being so patient with my constant questions.
"I have found Osbornes to be thorough, clear and understanding from the initial call. They do exactly what they say they will and with passion! I would recommend them to anyone".
Very good efficient service. Would not hesitate to use again.
I will use Osbornes for any future needs.
I don't think I could have asked for anything more. One of the best dealings I've had with the legal profession.
Sam was excellent and very professional in dealing with our claim.
Head of the personal injury department, Stuart Kightley is a first-rate practitioner, wholly focused on getting his client the best outcome in a pragmatic, sensible and consensual manner.
As a real specialist in spinal cord injuries, Ben Posford is always looking at new angles on how to maximise his cases.
Ben Posford is one of the best catastrophic injury lawyers around.
They provide exceptional service, great knowledge and understanding of the law, excellent client care and tactical nous
Stuart Kightley is praised for his expertise in catastrophic and fatal claims. Clients say he is very impressive, in terms of both his experience and his management of the personal injury team.
My claim was dealt with efficiently and professionally. Communication was excellent, and timely. Shrewd and sound advice was provided at every stage of the claim from beginning through to completion. On the basis of my personal experience I would strongly recommend Osbornes.
I just wish to thank you for your hard work and successful outcome. I am pleased with the result and would recommend you and your firm to anyone in the future.
Ben Posford … is ‘tactically astute’ and ‘one of the best personal injury solicitors around’.
Ben Posford ‘knows how to maximise the value of the claim for his clients’.