Compensation solicitors can claim substantial amounts for hand injuries as the hands are essential to carry out many intricate jobs. These injuries are very common and about 10% of all attendances at casualty result from damage caused to the hands including lacerations & cuts (42%), contusions and bruises (27%), fractures & broken bones (17%), and infections (5%). The most common cause of the injury is blunt trauma where the hand has been battered or crushed by an object or machinery (50%) followed by injury from a sharp object most often a kitchen knife or a wood chisel (25%).
The hand is an anatomical masterpiece and the slightest damage to the underlying structures can cause untold harm and disability that can have long term and far reaching effects justifying very substantial claims by compensation solicitors. Each of these structures consists of 27 bones when the wrist is included and when permutated with the number of nerves, arteries, veins, muscles, tendons, ligaments and joint cartilage there is an almost unlimited variety of potential injuries.
Damages awarded in a hand injury compensation claim depends on the extent of the injury, the pain and suffering sustained, the time taken to heal and whether or not there are any long term disabilities. Compensation solicitors can claim for losses already incurred in the past and potential losses in the future including wages loss and all other reasonably incurred expenses. Simple fracture of a finger is worth in the region of £1,000 to £1500, thumb dislocation is valued at £2,000 to £3,000 and the loss of a finger at £10,000. Injuries that affect grip can attract awards in excess of £20,000.
Time Limits
A limitation period applies to all financial awards including a hand injury compensation claim and in general terms an action for damages must be either settled or proceedings must have been issued in a court of law within three years of the incident causing injury or within three years of the injury coming to light whichever is the latest. There are exceptions to the three-year rule. The time period does not start running until a potential claimant reaches the age of 18 years and time does not run against the mentally disabled who can issue proceedings at any point during their lives. There are other exceptions and the court does in any event have a rarely exercised discretion to extend the time limit in very unusual circumstances.
