Suffering a hand injury on the job can be not just painful, but also extremely frustrating to the point that you may not be able to perform everyday tasks. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), each year, 1 million employees nationwide need emergency medical care because of a severe hand injury. Another recent study conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor found that about 23% of all on-the-job injuries involved injuries to the hand or fingers, making hand injuries the most frequent injuries that are preventable. After neck and back injuries at work, hand injuries are also the most common reason why employees miss work, statistics show.
If you have suffered a hand injury at work, you may be able to seek workers' compensation benefits to cover medical expenses and a portion of lost wages In some cases, you may be able to file a third-party claim against a person or entity that is not your employer. Our experienced California work injury lawyers can advice you regarding how to maximize your compensation.
What is the Average Workers' Compensation for Hand Injuries?
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the average settlement for a workplace hand injury is approximately $26,300. This amount typically includes around $14,600 for medical treatment costs, while the remaining $11,700 is allocated for indemnity payments to compensate for lost wages.
The average workers' compensation settlement in California for hand injury claims could range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars or more, depending on the nature and extent of your injuries. You could receive significantly more compensation if your injuries are catastrophic and if you are unable to return to your prior job. Your settlement is likely to be higher if you injured your thumb, index or middle fingers as opposed to your ring or little fingers.
Dominant Hand Injuries: What Makes Them Unique?
Injuries to your dominant hand can have a greater impact on your daily life and work compared to injuries to your non-dominant hand. This is because your dominant hand is typically responsible for most tasks requiring precision, strength, or coordination. Whether you're a laborer using tools, an office worker typing, or a professional requiring fine motor skills, a dominant hand injury can lead to significant challenges.
Key Impacts of a Dominant Hand Injury
- Loss of Functionality: Tasks like writing, using a computer, or operating equipment may become difficult or impossible.
- Extended Recovery Time: The dominant hand is often under more strain during recovery as it's more actively used, potentially delaying healing.
- Increased Dependency: Everyday tasks like eating, dressing, and driving may require assistance, leading to greater emotional and financial strain.
- Career Limitations: If your job relies heavily on manual skills, an injury to your dominant hand can impact your ability to work or force you to change roles.
Compensation Considerations for Dominant Hand Injuries
When pursuing compensation for a workplace injury to your dominant hand, it's important to account for the added challenges and long-term effects. Some factors to emphasize include:
- Loss of Earning Capacity: If the injury affects your ability to perform your job or forces a career change, you may be entitled to compensation for reduced earning potential.
- Rehabilitation and Therapy: Extensive physical therapy may be required to regain strength and functionality.
- Emotional Distress: Adjusting to life with limited use of your dominant hand can lead to emotional and psychological stress, which may also be considered in your claim.
- Future Costs: Permanent limitations or disabilities can result in ongoing medical costs or the need for assistive devices.
What Factors Affect Compensation in Hand Injury Cases?
There are a number of factors that could have an impact on the value or worth of your work-related hand injury case including:
Your job: If your job requires use of your hands, there is the likelihood of a larger settlement because you may have to change careers. For example, if you are a chef or work in a processing plant, it may not be possible to return to work if you do not have use of your hands.
Dominant hand: If you have suffered an injury to your dominant hand, your settlement value will probably be higher because you will be limited in the use of that hand, and that could affect how effectively you can do your job.
Your earnings: Workers' compensation as well as personal injury settlements are based on your earnings prior to your injury. The more you earned, the higher the potential settlement value will be.
Extent of treatment: If you needed surgery to fix your hand injury, it is more likely that your settlement value would increase since it means that your injury was severe and required surgical intervention.
Level of impairment: If you have been impaired, disabled or disfigured permanently as a result of the hand injury, that would increase your settlement value. If your permanent disability prevents you from performing the job you had prior to the injury, you can demand more compensation through settlement.
Future medical treatment: The more treatment you need for your hand injury, the higher the potential settlement value will be. If you need additional surgery, physical therapy, occupational therapy, vocational training, home or vehicle modifications or prescription medication, all that must to be included in the settlement value.
Psychological effects: Depending on the nature and extent of your injuries, if you developed psychological issues from the trauma such as depression or anxiety, you may be entitled to more compensation.
Common Hand Injuries at Work
Here are some of the most common hand injuries suffered on the job:
- Broken bones, particularly fractured fingers
- Fingertip or finger amputations
- Lacerations or cuts
- Avulsion fractures, where a piece of bone attached to a tendon or ligament ruptures.
- Burn injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Nerve damage including carpal tunnel syndrome
- Amputation or loss of one's hand
- Degloving injury, if the hand gets caught in machinery
Some of the workers who face the highest risk of a work-related hand injury include construction workers, those who operate heavy equipment or machinery, manufacturing workers, warehouse employees, and cooks and other restaurant workers who may suffer scalding accidents or burning injuries.
Why Work-Related Hand Injuries Occur
These types of preventable injuries often happen because of dangerous working conditions. For example, when workers are not provided with safety features such as guards on equipment, there is an increased risk of a hand injury. It is also important that work areas are well lit and machinery is properly serviced and maintained to avoid malfunctions. Not providing workers with job and safety training is also a common cause of work-related hand injuries. If you have sustained a hand injury on the job, it is important that you contact an experienced Los Angeles work injury lawyer to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.
Common Types of Work-Related Hand Injuries and Their Payouts
Hand injuries are among the most common workplace injuries, often leading to significant medical expenses, lost wages, and even long-term disability. The severity of the injury plays a major role in determining the compensation amount. Below are some of the most common work-related hand injuries and their average payouts:
1. Fractures and Broken Bones
A broken hand or fractured fingers can result from falls, machinery accidents, or being struck by an object. These injuries often require casting, surgery, and physical therapy.
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Average Settlement: $30,000 - $90,000, depending on the severity and required treatment.
2. Nerve Damage and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Repetitive motion injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome develop over time, affecting workers in jobs that require constant hand and wrist movement (e.g., typing, assembly lines). Severe cases may require surgery.
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Average Settlement: $15,000 - $60,000, depending on medical costs and work restrictions.
3. Amputation and Loss of Fingers or Hand
A severe crush injury or machinery accident can result in partial or complete amputation. These injuries have lifelong consequences, leading to permanent disability payments.
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Average Settlement: $75,000 - $500,000+, depending on the extent of the loss and whether a prosthetic or additional treatment is needed.
4. Lacerations and Deep Cuts
Sharp objects, machinery, and workplace tools can cause deep cuts requiring stitches or surgery. If tendons or nerves are damaged, the injury may result in long-term complications.
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Average Settlement: $10,000 - $50,000, depending on severity and whether surgery is required.
5. Crush Injuries
Hand crush injuries occur when a heavy object or machine compresses the hand, leading to fractures, nerve damage, or tissue death. Severe cases may lead to amputation.
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Average Settlement: $50,000 - $200,000+, depending on the level of impairment.
Since every case is unique, settlement values depend on medical costs, lost wages, permanent disability, and whether the injury was due to employer negligence.
Workers' Compensation vs. Personal Injury Claims for Hand Injuries
If you suffer a hand injury at work, you may have two main legal options: filing a workers' compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit. The right option depends on how the injury occurred and who was at fault.
Workers' Compensation Claims
Workers' compensation is a no-fault system, meaning you do not have to prove that your employer was negligent to receive benefits. Instead, as long as you were injured while performing job duties, you are entitled to compensation.
Workers' Compensation Benefits Include:
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Medical expenses (doctor visits, surgery, therapy)
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Temporary disability benefits (partial wage replacement while you recover)
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Permanent disability benefits (if your hand injury leads to long-term impairment)
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Vocational rehabilitation (if you can't return to your previous job)
However, workers' comp does NOT cover pain and suffering, and in most cases, you cannot sue your employer for additional damages.
Personal Injury Claims
A personal injury lawsuit may be an option if your hand injury was caused by someone else's negligence—such as a third-party contractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner. Unlike workers' comp, personal injury claims allow you to recover:
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Full lost wages (not just partial replacement)
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Pain and suffering
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Punitive damages (if gross negligence was involved)
Example of When a Personal Injury Claim Might Apply:
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A worker suffers a severe hand injury due to defective equipment. They can sue the equipment manufacturer.
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A construction worker is injured by a subcontractor's negligence. They may file a third-party claim against the responsible company.
While personal injury claims often result in higher compensation, they require proving fault, which can be more challenging and time-consuming.
Which Option is Right for You?
If your employer is responsible, workers' compensation is typically your only option. However, if a third party caused your injury, a personal injury lawsuit may help you recover more extensive damages. Consulting with an experienced attorney can help you determine the best course of action based on your case.
Our Los Angeles Work Injury Lawyer Can Help
At Greenberg & Ruby Injury Attorneys, APC our work injury lawyers in Los Angeles have the knowledge and experience to help you secure maximum compensation after a work-related hand injury. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay any fees unless we secure compensation for you. Call us today for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.
