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Hand and finger injuries arising from workplace accidents can be extremely painful, adversely impacting the victim's quality of life. The injured worker may need some time off from work to receive medical treatment and focus on their recovery, resulting in lost wages. In worst cases, the affected party may have to switch their career.
Workers who injure their fingers while carrying out their work duties are often unaware of the workers' compensation benefits available to them. Fortunately, the attorneys at Larrimer & Larrimer have extensive experience filing claims and getting the affected parties the settlement they deserve.
Those who have suffered finger injuries at work in Columbus, Ohio, should reach out to the workers' compensation attorneys at Larrimer & Larrimer to discuss their finger injury case and learn more about their legal options.
Common Types of Finger Injuries
While finger and hand injuries are not a medical emergency and may heal on their own, in some situations, it could lead to pain, infection, loss of blood, and other complications. When that happens, injured workers may require immediate medical attention, surgery, and other treatments.
The following are the most commonly reported finger injuries arising from work-related accidents:
Broken fingers and bones
Soft tissue injuries
Torn ligaments
Lacerations
Crushing injuries
Besides the direct injuries to the fingers, the injured worker may experience secondary injuries, such as arthritis, nerve damage, and psychological problems, which could further affect the victim's ability to live a normal life.
While medical and technological advancements have made it possible to treat severe finger injuries and ensure a normal life, some injured workers may never heal completely. A workers comp attorney in Columbus can fight for the affected party's rights and ensure they receive the settlement they deserve.
What to Do to Prevent Finger Injuries at Work in Columbus, Ohio
It is the responsibility of the employers in Columbus, Ohio, to provide all of their workers with the necessary equipment and protective gear to ensure their safety. They must also train their employees and take proactive measures, such as placing safety tips on the walls, to reduce the risk of accidents at the workplace.
Even if the workers are careful at the workplace, the negligence of their employer and the other employees could increase the risk of traumatic accidents.
Understanding the Treatment Options for Finger Injuries
The treatment options available to the injured worker depend on the severity of their finger injuries. In most cases, the affected party may receive a bandage or cast with over-the-counter medications to help them cope with the pain.
However, in cases involving severe finger injuries, the injured worker may have to go for surgery or amputation. The treatment plan may also involve physical therapy and rehabilitation, which can go on for a couple of days, weeks, or even months.
Secondary injuries from a finger injury are common. An injury to the finger can cause an infection, necessitating the need for antibiotics or invasive procedures.
As medical expenses start to pile, it could lead to financial stress, which is why it's crucial for the injured worker to pursue a workers' comp claim to recover the damages incurred.
Finger Amputations and Recovery Times
Work-related accidents involving electric saws, hammers, and other machinery could cause serious finger injuries, which is why amputations are often common in workers' comp claims.
It's important for the injured worker to understand that the hand has a sensory (thumb, index, and middle finger) and a power side (ring and pink finger).
Amputating the fingers on the sensory side could impair sensations and prevent the injured worker from using their hand for activities that require a delicate touch.
On the other hand, injuries to the ring and little finger may affect the injured worker's grip strength.
It can take between three to six months for amputations to heal. However, depending on the severity of the injuries, the medical professional may recommend revisiting the injury and performing surgery, which can prolong treatment.
What Is the Average Finger Injury Workers Comp Settlement?
The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that the average workers' compensation claim cost for injuries to hands, fingers, and wrists was $14,576 for medical expenses and $11,708 for indemnity, totaling $26,284 between 2020 and 2021.
It's important to understand that the insurance claim payouts mentioned by the NSC are just averages, and the amount an injured worker may be able to recover depends on the circumstances of their case.
There have been recent finger injury cases where the affected parties received over $100,000 in compensation due to the severity of the injuries sustained.
Although there is a lack of data to help determine average workers' compensation settlements for finger injuries, an experienced workers' compensation attorney can help assess the facts surrounding the finger injury case and provide an accurate estimate of what they can expect if they pursue a legal claim.
What Are the Factors That Affect a Workers' Compensation Settlement in a Finger Injury Case?
There are many factors that affect a workers' compensation settlement in a finger injury claim, some of which include the following:
Occupation
Injured workers with jobs that require handling, typing, or any other task involving the use of fingers may find it challenging to carry out their work duties and responsibilities. If they need to switch careers, it may affect the workers' compensation benefits, potentially increasing the settlement value.
Dominant Hand
Most individuals use their dominant hand when carrying out their daily routine and work tasks. A finger injury on the dominant hand may make it difficult for the injured worker to manage their job duties, preventing them from operating at a 100% level. This can increase the settlement value.
Pre-injury Average Weekly Wage
One of the major components of a workers' compensation settlement is lost wages. Insurance companies use the injured worker's average weekly wage to determine the damages they've incurred due to their work-related injury.
Those who have suffered finger injuries may require time off for which they can pursue a claim. The higher the wage, the greater the settlement value.
The Treating Physician
When pursuing a finger injury workers' compensation claim, the insurance company will look at the evidence submitted to determine the validity of the case and the settlement amount. Medical reports can help establish the link between the occupational accident and the worker's finger injuries.
Suppose the victim requires surgery for their finger injury. In that case, they may seek a supportive report from their surgeon that explains the injured worker's condition, any permanent disability, work restrictions, and other useful information. This type of evidence can bolster a claim, leading to a higher settlement value.
IME Report
Some insurers or third-party administrators may require the injured worker to attend an Independent Medical Examination (IME), which consists of a panel of doctors approved by the insurer.
In most cases, these medical professionals will write an unfavorable report to reduce the insurer's financial responsibility.
However, if the medical professionals write a positive report in favor of the claimant, the injured worker may receive a higher settlement.
Severity of the Finger Injuries
Besides lost wages, medical expenses make up a huge chunk of the workers' compensation benefits. The severity of the finger injuries plays a key role in determining how much the injured worker receives when pursuing a claim.
Injuries that require immediate finger amputations, surgery, or physical therapy may result in a higher settlement amount. In some cases, the injured worker may develop complex regional pain syndrome, resulting in expensive pain management treatment.
Serious finger injuries could lead to future medical expenses, and the injured worker may face work restrictions. These can adversely impact their financial situation, leading to a greater settlement value.
Mental Health
Hand and finger injuries can have a detrimental impact on a worker's mental health. The physical deformity may lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or anxiety, negatively affecting the injured worker's emotional well-being.
It's important to remember that the affected parties can recover workers' compensation benefits to cover such psychological conditions as long as they're accompanied by a physical finger injury.
How to Calculate Permanent Impairment and Disability for Finger Injuries in Columbus, Ohio
Whether it is carpal tunnel syndrome or a finger injury, injuries to the hand, wrists, and fingers can result in permanent impairment and disability.
It is crucial for the affected parties to understand how to calculate these types of benefits so that they can recover the damages incurred.
According to the Workers Compensation Act, the following are the maximum permanent partial disability benefits injured workers can recover for their finger injuries:
Thumb injury: 60 weeks of compensation
Index finger injury: 35 weeks of compensation
Middle finger injury: 30 weeks of compensation
Ring finger injury: 20 weeks of compensation
Pinkie injury: 15 weeks of compensation
Injuries to a single finger can significantly impair the entire hand, which is why it's important to receive a permanent impairment rating.
A resourceful workers' compensation attorney can reach out to a medical expert to provide scores to each individual body part affected by the accident, which can help the lawyer determine the benefits the injured worker may be eligible for in a lumbar radiculopathy workers comp settlement also.
What Are the Different Types of Workers' Compensation Benefits the Injured Workers May Be Eligible For?
There are different types of workers' compensation benefits an injured worker may be eligible to receive following their work-related accident in Ohio, and these include the following:
Temporary Total Disability
A finger injury may require medical treatment, which could prevent the injured worker from working on a temporary basis.
If that happens, the affected party may pursue temporary total disability benefits to replace the lost wages.
Permanent Partial Disability
A finger injury may cause extreme pain, discomfort, loss of motion, decreased grip strength, and other symptoms.
In such situations, the injured worker may be eligible for permanent partial disability benefits, which may vary depending on the extent and severity of the finger injury.
Permanent Total Disability
Serious finger injuries or workplace accidents that result in the loss of multiple fingers may lead to severe and permanent impairment, preventing the injured worker from returning to work. The affected party may be able to pursue permanent total disability benefits.
To determine whether the injured party is eligible for permanent total disability benefits, the workers' compensation insurance company considers the claimant's age, education, and work history.
Wage Replacement Benefits
Some finger injuries could cause the injured worker to seek another job or move to a different department where they'll be able to carry out their job duties. This may result in a loss of earnings, for which the affected party may pursue wage loss compensation.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Living Maintenance
In Ohio, there is a voluntary program known as vocational rehabilitation that assists injured workers in returning to the workforce. Those actively participating in these programs may be eligible for living maintenance benefits.
How Can an Ohio Workers' Compensation Attorney Help the Injured Workers?
The experienced workers' compensation attorneys at Larrimer & Larrimer in Columbus, Ohio, can help the injured workers in many different ways, including the following:
Evaluate the details of the finger injury and guide the accident victim on their legal options;
Help calculate the workers' compensation and disability benefits;
Build a strong workers' compensation claim and help the affected party file it within the statute of limitations;
Gather the necessary evidence to support the workers' comp claim; and
Negotiate with the workers' compensation insurance company for maximum benefits.
Navigating the workers' compensation claim process can be complex, and in most cases, insurance companies tend to create hurdles to reduce the payouts.
A skilled workers' compensation lawyer at Larrimer & Larrimer can help injured workers avoid the pitfalls associated with pursuing claims and advocate for their rights. They can help with information on a total knee replacement workers comp settlement too.
Injured Workers Shouldn't Wait and Contact the Top-rated Workers Compensation Lawyers in Ohio Immediately!
Larrimer & Larrimer has been protecting the rights of injured workers for more than nine decades, and its legal team can provide the best advice and representation to ensure a fair settlement.
Those who have suffered finger injuries in Columbus, Ohio, should call to schedule a free consultation with the experienced workers' compensation attorneys at Larrimer & Larrimer to discuss their case and increase their chances of obtaining maximum benefits!