For the vast majority of workers, our hands perform essential functions each and every day on the job. Whether they help us type, allow us to carry objects or maneuver machinery, we need our hands to be able to function at the highest level on the job. But because we use our hands so frequently, they are also susceptible to injury. Below, we take a look at the common types of on-the-job hand injuries, and how you can get compensation for these injuries.
Common Hand Injuries At Work
Here’s a look at the most common hand injuries we see in the workplace.
1. Cuts and Lacerations – Our hands can get dinged up from time to time, and oftentimes that occurs in the form of a cut or a scrape. Deep lacerations can knock you out of work for a number of days, but even minor cuts should be reported in case an infection develops.
2. Punctures – The close cousin to the laceration is the puncture. This happens if a sharp object breaks through the skin and ends up embedded in your hand. Misused or malfunctioning tools are some of the most common ways we see someone end up puncturing their hand. Remember, as we explained in this post, even if you are at fault for puncturing your own hand, you can still receive compensation.
3. Burns – Burns are another common injury we see in our clients. A number of workers deal with fire and hot objects throughout the day, and all it takes is a moment to end up with a significant burn on your hand. Another type of burn we see are chemical burns. Gloves help to prevent against chemical burns, but workers aren’t always diligent about ensuring that their gloves are free of holes or rips.
4. Fractures and Crush Injuries – Physical trauma to the hand can lead to broken bones and significant crush injuries. Fractures tend to heal just fine given enough time, but crush injuries can lead to permanent disability, which is why filing for compensation is so important
5. Repetitive Stress Injuries – Finally, another type of injury that we help workers receive compensation for is a repetitive stress injury. Doing the same tasks for years or decades can stress the same joints, which can lead to degeneration and the onset of arthritis. Carpal tunnel syndrome is compensable under workers’ compensation if you can prove that your work duties contributed to the onset of the condition, so talk to a workers’ compensation lawyer about your options if you believe your condition was exacerbated by your employment.
These are just a few of the types of hand injuries we’ve seen in our line of work, and we’ve helped these clients achieve the compensation they deserve for their injuries. Don’t just try to work through the pain, because if it turns into a larger problem, you’re going to have a harder time getting compensation. To learn more about how we develop an effective argument to win hand injuries claims, reach out to Dean Margolis and his team today.
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