Hand Injury at Work
A hand injury is one of the most common disabling injuries in the workplace. A hand injury can prevent you from working and enjoying life. If you sustained a hand injury at work, one of our Sacramento workers’ compensation attorneys could help. We can tell you about the most common occupational hand injuries and help you claim compensation for a hand injury at work. We’ll also help you compute how much compensation you can get for a hand injury and how long you must claim an accident at work. If you would like to talk about your legal options, give Sacramento Workers’ Compensation Attorneys, P.C. a call now or visit us in our office.
According to one study, the most common occupational hand injury is lacerations. Other occupational hand injuries include crushes, avulsions or detachments, punctures, fractures, electrical burns, chemical exposure, strains, and sprains.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, not wearing gloves accounts for 70% of occupational hand injury cases, while 30% is due to wearing the wrong protective gloves.
These problems can be reduced by proper training and seminars on hand safety and protection while at work. Work-related hand injuries can be prevented by providing employees with suitable types of protective gear, especially appropriate work and safety gloves.
You can file a workers’ compensation case if you injure your hand at work. Your employer is responsible for training employees on how to operate equipment and machines. Your employer is also responsible for providing employees with proper and appropriate protective and safety gear and ensuring all equipment and appliances are in good working condition.
In addition, an employer should assess the risks, let employees know these risks, and provide a safe working environment. If failure to provide these assessments leads to a hand injury or worsens a pre-existing hand problem, your employer is liable for your hand injury.
Several factors are considered when determining the amount you can get for a hand injury sustained at work. Some of these factors include your weekly earnings, lost wages, the type of hand injury you sustained, and its severity. In addition, all expenses related to your injuries affect your total case value.
To help strengthen your case, you need copies of vital records. This should include a detailed record of the incident or accident you reported to your employer, doctor’s notes, witness statements, and medical bills, including physical therapy and rehabilitation.
On average, hand injury claims are usually around two-thirds of your wage. The amount you can get depends on the abovementioned factors, so you will need someone to help you compute a fair amount.
If you suffered an injury at work, you must immediately report the incident to your employer. File a very detailed report, gather witnesses and take their statements. You will need all these when you file your workers’ compensation case.
Generally, you must file a report within 30 to 45 days after sustaining the hand injury. Failure to do so can mean losing your right to file a workers’ compensation claim.
You can receive benefits for about 104 weeks from your injury. This period can be as long as 240 weeks for severe hand injuries.
What can you do?
Dealing with a hand injury sustained at work can be difficult and expensive, especially if you cannot work. To ensure you’re protected and receive fair compensation for your sufferings, please contact us at Sacramento Workers’ Compensation Attorneys, P.C. We can help you learn more about the most common occupational hand injuries and how to claim the work injury. We can help you calculate how much compensation you will get for your hand injury and how long you have to claim an accident at work. Let one of our Sacramento workers’ compensation attorneys help you. Give us a call today.
