Vibration White Finger Claims

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Industrial Injury and Diseases Compensation / Vibration White Finger Claims

Vibration White Finger Claims

Vibration white finger (VWF), along with hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAV), is an industrial injury that affects people who are exposed to high levels of vibration within the workplace for prolonged periods of time. These syndromes are a secondary form of Raynaud’s syndrome, an industrial injury that is triggered by the continuous use of vibrating hand-held machinery such as road drills or chainsaws.

In the UK nearly 800,000 people are estimated to have symptoms of VWF. Roughly 20,000 of those 80,000 people are in an advanced state of disability due to the severity of their VWF condition.

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Symptoms of Vibration White Finger

There are a range of symptoms that indicate that someone is suffering from vibration white finger syndrome. The most common symptom is that their fingers will turn white and go numb. As the hands continue to be impacted a larger surface area of the finger is likely to be impacted.

Sufferers may also experience a number of other symptoms. If the condition impacts parts of the hand other than the finger, then the condition is classed as Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS): [br]

  • A tingling sensation or numbness in the fingertips, either permanently or intermittently.
  • Aches and pains in the arms, hands and fingers are other common symptoms, caused by neuropathic nerve damage

Vibration white finger also often leads to reduced dexterity of the fingers and hand and in some cases, it can prevent you from undertaking normal day-to-day tasks.

Many people who suffer from VWF find it difficult to work and function in the same way as they did before. Some people may find that they have to take time away from employment, may have to find a job in a different sector or they may have to completely give up work. Compensation can help ease this financial burden through the ‘special damages’ portion which covers additional costs associated with your illness/injury.

If the sufferer has to completely give up work, then they are eligible for Industrial Injury Disability Benefit. As Vibration White Finger is classed as an industrial disease, the sufferer will have a good chance of making a no win, no fee compensation claim as it is likely that their condition was caused by their employer’s negligence.

Employer Responsibility

Employers have a duty of care to ensure the health and safety of their employees, following regulations outlined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This includes providing employees with adequate training for their job role, including knowing how to operate vibration tools. Employees should also be provided with safe to use tools to carry out the job and personal protective equipment like anti-vibration gloves.

If your employer fails to take the necessary steps, then they have let you down and you are therefore entitled to make a vibration white finger claim. When you make a vibration white finger claim, your employer cannot dismiss you as this would be wrongful dismissal. Therefore, you should not fear retribution if you believe that you have been wronged.

Amount of Compensation

The amount of compensation you receive will depend upon the severity of your symptoms and the effect they have had on your everyday life. The figures below are an estimate of the compensation you might receive.

Severity of symptoms

Potential Compensation

  • Minor VWF symptoms, that have a limited impact on your ability to work and social life

    £2,560 – £32,780

  • Serious symptoms that have a significant effect on your ability to work and social life.

    £25,000 - £31,000

The figures above are for injury only. If you have had to take time off work because of your injury, this will be taken into account by your solicitor and reflected in your compensation amount. You may also be able to claim for other expenses you have incurred such as travel expenses or prescription costs.

Making Personal Injury Claims

If you have developed an injury or condition due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. First Personal Injury solicitors are available to assist you and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

First Personal Injury work with both families and individuals across England and Wales, leading them on their legal journey and helping them claim compensation after an accident or injury.