{"id":5286,"date":"2021-06-22T12:04:57","date_gmt":"2021-06-22T16:04:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/?p=5286"},"modified":"2021-08-23T17:07:49","modified_gmt":"2021-08-23T21:07:49","slug":"fingertip-finger-and-hand-injuries-in-workers-compensation-cases-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/fingertip-finger-and-hand-injuries-in-workers-compensation-cases-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Fingertip, Finger, and Hand Injuries in Workers\u2019 Compensation Cases"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finger and hand injuries are all too common in the workplace. According to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ohsonline.com\/articles\/2020\/02\/01\/a-new-year-of-hand-safety.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Occupational Health and Safety<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and data from the US Bureau of Labor \u2013 \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of the 286,810 non-fatal occupational injuries to upper extremities in 2018 involving days away from work in private industry, 123,990 involved hands, which is more than 43 percent.\u201d <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Human hands have 27 bones and 30 muscles \u2013 so there\u2019s a lot that can go wrong.\u00a0<\/span><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ishn.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to Industrial Safety and Hygiene News<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, almost 30% of workplace injuries are due to cuts and lacerations \u2013 and about 12% of those injuries involve the hands. While hand injuries may not be as life-threatening as other injuries like head trauma, hand injuries require a lot of medical care and often require that workers take substantial time off from work to treat their injuries. In the most severe cases, even young injured workers will be prevented from returning to their occupation due to severe hand injuries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As of the 2012-2013 fiscal year, claims for hand, finger, and wrist injuries (according to the National Safety Council) averaged $22,384 per claim. This figure includes payments for missed days, the medical bills, and the time a business is shut down for OSHA investigations or local safety bureau investigations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ISHN states that about 70% of injuries are due to workers not wearing gloves that are right for the type of work being done. For example, electricians should consider gloves that reduce resistance, are resistant to punctures, \u201cprotect from arc flash,\u201d and still allow the electrician to manipulate small parts. Construction workers might want to focus on \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">back-of-hand protection and vibration-dampening palm padding.\u201d Employers should provide the correct gloves for their workers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><i>Common types of finger injuries<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finger and hand injuries that can result in lost time from work include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Lacerations.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> While many cuts are minor and heal in a short time, some cuts may become infected. Some cuts may damage the nerves, tendons, or other parts of the anatomy. In severe cases, surgeries may be required.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Fractured bones.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If one or more of the 27 bones in the hand break, they normally require immobilization. If the fractures are compounded or there are other complications, surgery may be needed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Injured nerves.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Nerves can be damaged due to cuts, breaks, or crushing accidents. Injured nerves, even with surgery, may never fully heal. Some workers live with chronic hand or finger pain.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Amputation.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> In the worst cases, a finger, part of the finger, or more than one finger\/thumb may need to be amputated which can directly affect the worker\u2019s ability to return to work \u2013 since most jobs require some type of input from the hand or fingers.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chesapeakehand.com\/2020\/01\/10\/common-types-of-hand-injuries\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to Chesapeake Hand and Shoulder<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, tendon injuries are a common hand injury. Tendons are tissue that attach the muscles to the bones. Examples of tendon injuries to the hand include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Tendonitis.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This is an inflammation or irritation of the tendon. It\u2019s often due to repetitive movements.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Extensor tendon injuries. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These happen when the tendons at the rear of your fingers and thumb are \u201ctorn, cut, or detached.\u201d <\/span><b>\u201c<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These tendons allow your fingers and thumbs to straighten and perform movements but can become injured due to trauma or arthritis.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Flexor tendon injuries<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These injuries happen \u201cwhen the flexor\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chesapeakehand.com\/2019\/12\/20\/treatments-for-a-rotator-cuff-tear\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tendons<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0attached at the palm side of your fingers and thumb get cut or ruptured.\u00a0These tendons allow your finger and thumb joints to bend, grasp, and perform fine coordinated movements.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>De Quervain\u2019s syndrome. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is a common type of overuse injury that can restrict your function and mobility. Unfortunately, with only a couple of exceptions,\u00a0 injuries that result from overuse are generally not compensable as workers compensation claims in Virginia or North Carolina.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Trigger Finger\/Trigger Thumb. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This injury happens when the \u201ctendons in the thumb or fingers do not glide smoothly. It causes the tendons to catch or get trapped when the fingers or thumb bend, making it difficult to straighten them back out.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Burn injuries to fingers and hands are also quite common. Other types of finger and hand injuries include bruises, strains, dislocations, sprains, and carpal tunnel syndrome.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><i>What are the causes of fingertip, finger, and hand injuries?<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Injuries to the fingers and hands can happen in almost every type of work that requires repetitive movements. Finger and hand injuries are quite common when workers work with any type of machinery (especially moving machinery) or work with sharp objects such as knives, needles, and syringes.\u00a0 Picking up any type of hot object, working with stoves or other heat devices, and being near hot liquids are also dangerous for your fingers and hands.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the professions where finger and hand injuries are common include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Industrial workers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Construction workers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Electrical workers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Restaurant workers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Workers in the medical profession<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Agricultural workers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Autoworkers including auto mechanics<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b><i>Treatments for fingertip, finger, and hand injuries<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The treatments depend on the type of injury and the severity of the injury. Injured workers may require surgery which is often performed either by a hand specialist or an orthopedic surgeon. After surgery or instead of surgery, workers often need to treat with physical therapists and pain management doctors. Cortisone steroid shots may be provided. Medications such as anti-inflammatory medicines may help. Workers may need to use a brace or some method to stabilize the fingers and protect the hand during the healing process. Workers may need to learn to use voice-activation on their computer if they can\u2019t type.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compensation for fingertip, finger, and hand injuries.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to normal compensation under workers compensation for time that the injured worker is out of work at the rate of 2\/3rds of the average weekly wage, plus medical expenses, if the injured worker suffers permanent impairment to these body parts, then even if he or she should return to work, some additional compensation may be available. This is known as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=buKVZQ1Aajg\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">permanent partial impairment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and is typically compensated by way of the authorized doctor\u2019s opinion as to the percentage of impairment in that particular body part. This opinion cannot occur until the injured worker is deemed to have reached <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/maximum-medical-improvement-mmi-in-workers-compensation-cases\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">maximum medical improvement<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by his or her physician.\u00a0 It should be noted that if, because of the severity of the hand injury, the injured worker is unable to return to his or her occupation, then these partial impairments may become less relevant, because then compensation is based on the maximum number of potential weeks of compensation, namely, 500 weeks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The maximum amounts for these recoveries for finger and hand injuries for permanent partial impairment in Virginia are set forth at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/title65.2\/chapter5\/section65.2-503\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VA Code 65.2-503<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and are as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loss<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compensation Period<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Thumb<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">60 weeks.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. First finger (index finger)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">35 weeks.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Second finger<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">30 weeks.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Third finger<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20 weeks.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Fourth finger (little finger)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15 weeks.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. First phalanx of the thumb or any finger<\/span><\/p>\n<p>7. Hand<\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">one-half compensation for loss of entire thumb or finger.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>150 weeks.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The loss of more than one phalanx of a thumb or finger is deemed the loss of the entire thumb or finger. Amounts received for loss of more than one finger shall not exceed compensation provided for the loss of a hand.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So if we take an example, if the authorized doctor was of the opinion that the hand had suffered a permanent impairment of 20%, and the injured worker\u2019s compensation rate (2\/3rds of the average weekly wage) was $600.00, that would be 20% of 150 weeks, or 30 weeks, multiplied by the compensation rate of $600.00, or $18,000.00. Sometimes the insurance carrier will pay that amount in lump sum, other times they will do it over the 30 weeks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our skilled North Carolina and Virginia worker\u2019s compensation lawyers have been strong advocates for injured employees for more than 30 years. We work with your medical team to fully understand your injuries, what treatments you need, how long you need for the treatments, and what functional use of your fingers and hands you\u2019ll have (or won\u2019t have) when the treatments are complete. We demand compensation for your rightful share of lost wages and payment for all your medical expenses. If you have a permanent disability, we demand additional compensation. To make an appointment, call lawyer Joe Miller, Esq., at <\/span><b>888-667-8295<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. or fill out my online <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/contact-us\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">contact form<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/free-workers-comp-case-eval\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">free electronic case evaluation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Finger and hand injuries are all too common in the workplace. According to Occupational Health and Safety and data from the US Bureau of Labor \u2013 \u201cOf the 286,810 non-fatal occupational injuries to upper extremities in 2018 involving days away from work in private industry, 123,990 involved hands, which is more than 43 percent.\u201d \u00a0Human &#8230; <\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more-container\"><a title=\"Fingertip, Finger, and Hand Injuries in Workers\u2019 Compensation Cases\" class=\"read-more button\" href=\"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/fingertip-finger-and-hand-injuries-in-workers-compensation-cases-2\/#more-5286\" aria-label=\"Read more about Fingertip, Finger, and Hand Injuries in Workers\u2019 Compensation Cases\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,13,10],"tags":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Joe Miller","author_link":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/author\/jmiller\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Finger and hand injuries are all too common in the workplace. According to Occupational Health and Safety and data from the US Bureau of Labor \u2013 \u201cOf the 286,810 non-fatal occupational injuries to upper extremities in 2018 involving days away from work in private industry, 123,990 involved hands, which is more than 43 percent.\u201d \u00a0Human&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5286"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5286"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5286\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5286"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5286"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5286"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}