How To Make A Finger Injury Claim
Finger injuries can have a significant impact on your daily life, especially if they affect your ability to work or carry out routine tasks. Whether it happened at work, in public, or on the road, you may be able to make a finger injury claim if you can show that someone else is to blame.
Our guide will walk you through the entire process of making a claim. We start by showing the eligibility criteria for starting a claim, explore some of the most common causes of finger injury accidents, and take a look at some of the evidence that might benefit your case. Toward the end of this article, we’ll reveal some of the advantages of claiming with one of the solicitors making up our expert panel.
What You Need To Know
- You may be eligible to claim if you suffered a finger injury because of someone else’s negligent actions.
- Finger injury accidents can happen in the workplace, on the road, or in a public place.
- A successful claim can include damages for physical pain, psychological suffering, and financial losses.
- There is a 3-year time limit to start a claim, although some exceptions may apply.
- You can make a finger injury claim on a No Win No Fee basis with our panel of solicitors.
Speak with our team today for free advice. We can answer any questions you have about the claims process. Our lines are open 24/7:
- Call 020 3870 4868
- Fill out our Claim Online form
- Use our live on-screen chat box
Jump To A Section
- Can I Make A Finger Injury Claim?
- How Much Finger Injury Compensation Can I Get?
- How Long Do I Have To Start a Finger Injury Claim?
- What Types Of Finger Injuries Can Be Claimed For?
- How Do I Make A Claim For Finger Injury Compensation?
- Can I Make A Finger Injury Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis?
- More Information
Can I Make A Finger Injury Claim?
You can make a finger injury claim if you meet this eligibility criteria:
- You were owed a duty of care by a third party.
- The party breached their duty of care through negligent actions/inactions.
- You sustained a finger injury as a result of this breach.
The duty of care you’re owed will depend on where the finger injury happened. Below, you can see some examples of how finger injury claims can arise, showing what duty of care is owed to you and how it might be breached:
Finger Injury At Work
As part of their duty of care, employers must adhere to the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. This act requires employers to take reasonable steps in order to protect the health, wellbeing, and safety of their workforce.
Examples of finger injuries caused by employer negligence include:
- In a factory, your employer asks you to work on a conveyor belt that they know to be dangerously faulty. Due to this, your finger gets trapped, causing severe damage that results in an amputation.
- In a warehouse, you are asked to handle pallets without a risk assessment being conducted to see if it is heavy to be carried by a single person. As a result, you drop the pallet while attempting to lift it, causing severe crush injuries to your fingers.
Injured Finger In A Public Place
Occupiers (those in control) of a public place are required to take practical steps to ensure all visitors are reasonably safe. This duty of care is laid out by the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957. If an occupier fails to meet their obligations, it can lead to incidents like the following:
- While shopping in a supermarket, you slip and fall on a spillage caused by falling tins, fracturing your finger. Despite the potential risk of an accident, staff had left the spill unattended and failed to display ‘wet floor’ signs.
- On a visit to a clothing store, you suffer serious injuries to your fingers when your hand gets jammed in a malfunctioning lift’s doors. Management at the store had known about the issues but failed to make repairs or cordon it off.
Road Traffic Accidents
All road users, from drivers to motorcyclists and pedestrians, owe one another a duty of care. That duty requires everyone to use the road in such a way as to avoid causing injury to each other and themselves. Road users must also follow the rules and regulations that are laid out by the Highway Code and the Road Traffic Act 1988.
There are many reasons why someone might be able to make a road traffic accident claim for finger injuries, including:
- You are hit by a speeding car that fails to stop while you are walking on a pedestrian crossing. The incident leaves you with multiple injuries, including several fractured multiple fingers.
- While cycling, a car failed to check its blind spot and knocked you over. You landed on your hand, sustaining severe soft tissue injuries to your ring fingers and little finger.
Medical Negligence Finger Injury
Medical professionals must ensure they provide a standard of care that meets minimum expectations. This duty of care also applies to medical settings, including hospitals and GP practices.
If a professional falls short of expected standards, resulting in avoidable or unnecessary harm, there may be a case for compensation. Below, you can see a couple of scenarios showing how medical negligence might occur:
- You go to hospital with a suspected broken finger, but the injury is misdiagnosed when staff misinterpret the X-ray scan. This delays treatment, leading to long-term pain and permanent deformity.
- During finger surgery, a surgeon damages a tendon when they operate on the wrong part of your hand after misreading your medical records. This damage limits mobility in your thumb and causes permanent stiffness.
Finger Injury From Assault
You may be able to make a claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) if your finger injury was the result of a violent crime like assault. This executive agency of the government compensates victims of violent crimes that have taken place in England, Scotland, or Wales (or in another relevant place, such as on a British-registered boat.
You will need to meet other eligibility requirements in order to be eligible to make a criminal injury claim. Through CICA, you could claim in :
- While intervening in a public fight, someone slammed a bottle onto your hand, shattering your fingers.
- During an assault at a nightclub, your hand was stomped on while on the floor, leading to fractures in your little and ring fingers.
Think you may be entitled to finger injury compensation? Contact our team of advisors today to confirm your claim eligibility in a free, no-obligation assessment.
How Much Finger Injury Compensation Can I Get?
The amount of finger injury compensation you may receive can depend on 2 heads of loss:
- General damages – The physical and psychiatric injuries you suffered.
- Special damages – The financial losses that have resulted from your finger injury.
Your general damages may be assessed using information from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). It’s a document that publishes suggested compensation brackets for various types and severity of injury.
Below is a table showing some of the JCG’s brackets (except for the top row). Please keep in mind that because all finger injury claims are unique, this table cannot guarantee how much compensation someone might receive.
| Injury type | Injury severity | Guideline compensation brackets |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Severe Injuries Plus Special Damages (e.g. Lost Earnings and Prescription Costs) | Severe | Up to £250,000+ |
| Hand | Amputation of Index and Middle and/or Ring Fingers | £75,550 to £110,750 |
| Loss of Thumb | £43,350 to £66,920 | |
| Severe Fractures to Fingers | Up to £44,840 | |
| Very Serious Injury to Thumb | £23,920 to £42,720 | |
| Amputation of the Terminal Phalanges of the Index and Middle Fingers | In the region of £30,500 | |
| Amputation of Ring and Little Fingers | In the region of £26,620 | |
| Total and Partial Loss of Index Finger | £14,850 to £22,870 | |
| Serious Injury to Ring or Middle Fingers | £12,590 to £19,940 | |
| Amputation of Little Finger | £10,550 to £14,940 | |
| Fracture of Index Finger | £11,120 to £14,930 |
What Factors Will Determine The Compensation Amount?
Here are some factors that can influence the value of general damages:
- The severity of your pain and suffering
- The extent of the injury, including any fractures or amputations
- Whether there is permanent damage or scarring
- Loss of function or dexterity in the hand or fingers
- Psychological trauma or emotional distress
- The duration of recovery and any long-term symptoms
- Impact on your quality of life or hobbies
- Whether multiple fingers or the dominant hand were affected
Special Damages
If eligible, you may be reimbursed for the financial losses that resulted from your finger injury. These losses can include:
- Lost earnings from time off work
- Future loss of income if you’re unable to return to your job
- Medical expenses, including private treatments, prescriptions, and physiotherapy
- Travel costs to and from medical appointments
- Home adaptations and mobility aids if required
- Care or support from friends, family, and professionals
In order to claim for special damages, you’ll need evidence documenting your losses. So, keep hold of any proof you believe might be relevant to your claim, such as payslips, receipts, bank statements, and invoices.
Do you have any questions about special damages, or would you like more information on compensation in general? Our advisory team is here to help, so feel free to get in touch for advice tailored to your situation.
How Long Do I Have To Start a Finger Injury Claim?
You usually have 3 years from the date of the accident to begin a finger injury claim, as per the Limitation Act 1980. However, there are a couple of exceptions where the time limit is paused for those who cannot make a claim independently. These exceptions apply to the following groups:
- Children: The 3-year time limit does not begin until a child turns 18. That gives someone 3 years to start a claim, up to their 21st birthday.
- Lack of Mental Capacity: If the injured person lacks the mental capacity to make a claim, the time limit is paused unless or until they regain capacity. The usual 3 years will take effect from the date capacity returns.
In both of these scenarios, a litigation friend can be appointed to help claim on the injured person’s behalf before time limits apply. The role is usually assumed by a parent, guardian, relative, or solicitor, who must act in the best interests of the other party. They make decisions about the claim, instruct the solicitor, and manage the case through to its conclusion.
Ensuring your finger injury compensation claim is started in time and handled correctly from the outset is crucial, so don’t delay. Contact our advisors today for a free case assessment with zero obligations.
What Types Of Finger Injuries Can Be Claimed For?
You can make a claim for various types of finger injuries, including:
- Broken Fingers: Often result from falls, crush accidents or trauma.
- Crush Injuries: Typically occur in machinery or door accidents.
- Severely Fractured Fingers: May require surgery and prolonged rehabilitation.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains or ligament damage that causes ongoing pain.
- Partial Amputations: Involving the terminal phalanges or entire finger sections.
- Injuries to Multiple Fingers: These can have a significant impact on hand function.
- Thumb Injuries: Affect grip strength and can lead to lasting disability.
- Ring Fingers and Little Finger Damage: Often neglected but can still cause considerable impairment.
To see if your finger injury qualifies for a compensation claim, please reach out to our advisory team. They work round the clock, so you can always get an answer to your question at a time that’s convenient for you.
How Do I Make A Claim For Finger Injury Compensation?
To make a claim for finger injury compensation, you’ll need strong evidence showing how your case meets the eligibility outline at the start of this guide.
Key evidence includes:
- Accident reports – The incident that led to your injury may have been recorded in an accident book if it occurred at work.
- Medical records – This information can detail your diagnosis and treatment, as well as provide insight into the prognosis for your finger injuries.
- Independent medical assessment – A specialist solicitor from our panel can arrange this on your behalf during the claims process.
- Driver details – If you sustained a finger injury in a road accident, you may need information about the other party. This can include insurance details, registration, and the vehicle’s model and make.
- Photographs – You can create a visual record of your injuries and the scene of the accident.
- Video footage – The accident may have been captured on CCTV or through a dashcam.
- Witness contact details – Can include colleagues, loved ones, and employees. Your solicitor can use the information to obtain witness statements for the claim.
Our panel of solicitors understand that gathering evidence can be a challenging part of the finger injury claims process. Mindful of that, they have years of combined experience helping collect and present evidence on behalf of their clients nationwide.
Speak with an advisor today to find out more about the work of our panel of solicitors and take your first steps towards claiming compensation.
Can I Make A Finger Injury Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis?
Yes, you may be able to make a finger injury claim on a No Win No Fee basis. Our panel of solicitors believe everyone who is eligible should be able to pursue compensation, regardless of their financial situation. That is why they offer their services through a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
A CFA allows you to pursue compensation without needing to pay solicitor fees:
- Upfront when starting your claim.
- While the claim is ongoing.
- If your claim is unsuccessful.
If you win, you pay your solicitor a success fee that gets deducted from your compensation. This small fee is payment for the solicitor’s work, and the percentage taken is capped.
We work with a panel of solicitors who put clients at the heart of their work. Their expertise is built on years of combined training and experience, helping them secure compensation for clients across the nation.
They recognise all cases are different, and always make sure to tailor their support to meet the unique needs of every client. There are many ways that a solicitor from our panel can help, including:
- Gathering supporting evidence, like contacting witnesses for statements
- Liaising with the other party so you can focus on your recovery
- Negotiating a fair compensation on your behalf
- Explaining the claims process and providing clear advice throughout
- Connecting you with physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and other specialists
Get In Touch With Our Advisors
Speak to our team of advisors now for a free case assessment and see if one of the solicitors from our panel can help you pursue the finger injury compensation you deserve. Get in touch today using the details below:
- Call 020 3870 4868
- Fill out our Claim Online form
- Use our live on-screen chat box
More Information
You may find these similar personal injury claims guides helpful:
- How to make a broken hand claim
- Find out about making a broken wrist claim
- Learn more about success fees in personal injury claims
You may also find these other pages to be useful:
- NHS – How to treat a broken finger
- Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – View health and safety basics for a business
- Gov.UK – How to claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for your time off work during recovery
Get in touch with us today and see if a solicitor from our panel can help you start a finger injury claim.
