Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome and Vibration White Finger

Compensation for Hand, Arm, Finger Vibration

An employer has a duty to eliminate or reduce exposure to vibration to as low a level as is reasonably practicable. In doing so, the employer should have assessed any risks in the task concerned. Where the task is found to cause vibration, an employer should provide information and training to the employee concerned, provide regular breaks for the employee or a system of job rotation, provide suitable protective equipment and also introduce health surveillance.

A diagnosis of hand arm vibration syndrome can be difficult for a GP to make as the symptoms may not be work related. Symptoms include numbness or a tingling sensation to the fingers and in some cases the fingers appear to have whitened. You may be referred to a hospital by your GP for a series of tests, such as nerve conduction studies to rule out any constitutional reason for the symptoms and to confirm a diagnosis.

The type of machinery used and the length of time used per day or week will be crucial in establishing whether or not vibration white finger could have been foreseen by an employer.

If an employer is found to have been negligent, or breached a duty of care, you may be entitled to claim compensation for the injury.

On top of this, we can recover financial expenses that you have reasonably incurred as a result of the vibration white finger, such as:

• loss of earnings
• travel expenses to and from medical appointments
• medical treatment costs
• care and assistance that you receive for certain DIY tasks around the house and garden that you are unable to complete or personal hygiene tasks or domestic responsibilities that you are no longer able to complete yourself.