Finger Injury and Loss of Finger Compensation Claims

If you lose a finger in a work-related accident, you may also be eligible for an additional permanent impairment lump sum payment. In some cases, you may also qualify if you lose the tip of a finger or suffer a severe crush, cut, or tendon injury.

To receive a lump sum payout for the loss of a finger, you’ll need to undergo a Whole Person Impairment (WPI) assessment. This determines how much your finger amputation has affected your life. Some states require you to meet a minimum WPI threshold before you can claim a lump sum. For example, in NSW, a WPI of 11% or higher is needed to qualify.

Losing a finger can change your life in ways you never expected, making simple tasks difficult and potentially stopping you from returning to work. That’s why it’s vital that your lump sum compensation fully reflects the true impact on your life. Our experienced lawyers specialise in workers comp permanent impairment claims and will ensure your WPI assessment accurately captures the long-term effects of your amputation.

To learn more, check out our full guide to workers compensation claims for permanent impairment or get in touch with our finger injury lawyers today.

If your finger injury happened because of your employer’s negligence, you might be eligible for a common law damages claim.

Unlike standard workers compensation, a common law claim can lead to a significantly larger lump sum, sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars (or even millions in severe cases).

In addition to your basic workers compensation entitlements, your payout could also include:

• Future lost income and superannuation.
• Ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation.
• Compensation for pain and suffering (available in some states).

With so much at stake, having a specialist finger injury lawyer on your side is essential. We have over 25 years of experience in employer negligence claims and know exactly what it takes to build a strong case and secure the maximum compensation for your finger injury.

Our track record speaks for itself — we have a 100% success rate in common law claims against employers. Speak to us today for free advice on securing the payout you deserve.

After a workplace injury, be sure to:

• Inform your employer about your finger injury as soon as possible.
• Consult a doctor and get a ‘Certificate of Capacity’ to assess your injury.
• Ask for a workers compensation claim form to begin the claims process.

Reach out to a finger injury lawyer as soon as possible. During your free consultation, we’ll assess your claim, explain your potential weekly payments, and determine if you’re eligible for lump sum compensation, common law damages, or other benefits.

If you decide to proceed with us, we’ll start working on your claim right away. This includes ensuring you receive any immediate assistance you need, such as medical expense coverage or additional support at home.

Your finger injury lawyer will collect all the crucial evidence to strengthen your claim, demonstrating how your injury is work-related. This may include witness statements, reports from your treating doctors, and expert opinions from our trusted network of medical specialists.

Your finger injury lawyer handles everything: from submitting your claim to managing all the paperwork. We make sure it meets all the required standards, deadlines, and evidence criteria. With a well-prepared claim, we work to minimise delays and ensure you receive your workers compensation payments as quickly as possible.

Once your workers compensation payments are underway, we’ll focus on securing any additional entitlements you may be eligible for, including lump sum compensation for permanent, common law damages, TPD, car accident, and medical negligence claims. These can lead to significantly higher payouts, worth much more than your workers compensation claim alone.

Most finger injury claims are settled within 6 – 18 months, but the exact timeframe varies based on factors like:

• The complexity of your case.
• The severity of your injury and its long-term impact.
• How long your treatment and recovery take.
• Whether your injury has ‘stabilised’ (meaning it has reached maximum medical improvement).
• How well your claim is prepared and supported with evidence.

For a more accurate estimate of how long your finger injury claim might take, speak with our expert lawyers. Once we understand your situation, we can provide a clearer timeline and guide you through the process.

The type of work you do can greatly influence how a finger injury happens. Workplace accidents, repetitive tasks, and machinery-related incidents are all common causes.

Some of the most frequent ways workers injure their fingers include:

• Repetitive strain injuries (RSI): constant, repetitive tasks like typing, using hand tools, or operating machinery can lead to chronic pain, inflammation, and long-term mobility issues.
• Crush injuries: fingers can get caught in doors, heavy equipment, or between objects, causing fractures, nerve damage, or permanent impairment.
• Slicing injuries from saws or blades: accidents involving knives, saws, or machinery with exposed blades can lead to deep cuts or even full or partial finger amputations.
• Fingers caught in machinery: getting a finger trapped in moving parts can result in severe crush injuries, fractures, or loss of fingers.
• Burns and chemical exposure: working with heat, welding equipment, or hazardous chemicals can result in serious burns or tissue damage.
• Sprains and strains: overuse from lifting, gripping, or handling materials can lead to painful sprains and strains that impact hand function.

No matter how your injury happened ­— if it’s work-related, you could have a finger injury workers compensation claim. Speak to our expert lawyers today and find out what you’re entitled to.

Some industries pose a much higher risk of finger injuries than others, especially those that involve power tools, heavy machinery, or sharp instruments. Workers in these fields face a greater chance of crush injuries, deep cuts, or even finger amputations.

Some of the most at-risk jobs include:

• Heavy machinery operators: working with large, powerful equipment makes serious hand injuries more likely.
• Butchers, deli workers, and meat processors: handling sharp knives and saws raises the risk of deep cuts and amputations.
• Truck drivers and logistics workers: fingers can get caught in doors, latches, or straps, leading to crush or impact injuries. If your finger injury happened while driving the truck, you may have a motor accident claim.
• Carpenters, plumbers, and electricians: frequent use of tools and machinery increases the risk of cuts, crush injuries, and burns.
• Welders and metalworkers: exposure to extreme heat and heavy materials can lead to severe burns and crush injuries.
• Warehouse workers: handling pallets and heavy stock increases the risk of crushed fingers and other workplace accidents.

This is by no means a complete list — finger injuries can happen in almost any industry.  If you’ve suffered a finger injury or the loss of a finger, get in touch today. In a free consultation, our lawyers will explain what claims you can make and how much you could receive.

Employers have a duty to provide a safe work environment for every employee. But when they fail to do so, serious finger injuries and even amputations can occur. Common examples of employer negligence include:

• Not supplying proper safety gear or protective equipment.
• Requiring workers to perform repetitive or heavy lifting without support.
• Failing to maintain a safe workspace, such as leaving the floors wet or slippery.
• Providing inadequate training or supervision.
• Allowing workers to use faulty or unsafe machinery.

With years of experience and a strong network of workplace injury experts, we’ve successfully held negligent employers accountable — winning 100% of the employer negligence cases we’ve taken on. If you believe your employer’s negligence led to your injury, get in touch today.

If you’ve suffered a finger injury in a car accident, you may be eligible for compensation through a motor accident claim. The amount you can receive depends on factors like where the accident happened and whether you were at fault.

Depending on your situation, your compensation may cover:

• Lost income: including past wages and future earnings if the accident wasn’t your fault.
• Pain and suffering: addressing both the physical and emotional toll of your injury.
• Care and support: whether from professionals or loved ones. If you can no longer care for a dependent, you can claim this too.
• Out-of-pocket expenses: medical bills, rehabilitation costs, travel for treatment, and necessary home or vehicle modifications.

For a more detailed breakdown, check out our complete guide to motor accident claims or speak with a specialist finger injury lawyer today.

Medical negligence happens when a healthcare provider — whether a doctor, hospital, or another medical professional — fails to meet proper standards, resulting in a preventable finger injury or even amputation.

Common medical errors leading to finger injuries

Mistakes that can lead to finger injuries include:

• Surgical errors: accidental damage during procedures or incorrect surgeries.
• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis: leading to untreated infections or worsening conditions.
• Poor post-operative care: causing complications, infections, or improper healing.
• Failure to warn about risks: leaving patients unprepared for potential side effects or necessary precautions.

Proving medical negligence

To make a successful claim, you’ll need to establish:

• A breach of duty: the healthcare provider’s actions fell below accepted medical standards, meaning a competent professional wouldn’t have made the same mistake.
• A direct link to your injury: showing that their negligence directly caused or worsened your finger injury.

How much compensation you can claim

A successful medical negligence claim can result in a lump sum payout covering:

• Lost income: past wages and future earning potential, including superannuation.
• Pain and suffering: acknowledging both physical and emotional distress.
• Care and support: professional or family assistance, especially if you can no longer care for a dependent.
• Out-of-pocket costs: medical bills, rehabilitation, travel expenses, and necessary home or vehicle modifications.

Medical negligence cases are complex, and the compensation can be significant. If you believe your finger injury was caused by a medical error, it’s important to speak to a lawyer before starting your claim. In a free consultation, we’ll review your case, identify who may be responsible, and explain how much compensation you could receive.

For a deeper dive into proving negligence in medical claims, check out our full guide to medical negligence cases.

If you’ve injured your finger while playing an organised sport or during a recreational activity like jet skiing, rock climbing, or skiing, you may be eligible for compensation through a public liability claim.

What compensation can cover

A successful claim could provide financial support for:

• Lost income and superannuation: covering wages you’ve already missed and potential future losses.
• Care and assistance: whether from professionals or family members, especially if you have dependents.
• Pain and suffering: recognising both the physical toll and emotional distress of your injury.
• Out-of-pocket expenses: including medical treatment, rehabilitation, and necessary modifications to your home or vehicle.

However, because these activities naturally come with some level of risk, you’ll need to show that appropriate safety measures were lacking.

In sports, this could mean faulty equipment, unsafe playing conditions, or reckless actions by another player. For recreational activities, it might involve defective gear, inadequate safety instructions, or negligence from an instructor, operator, or venue.

Before moving forward with your claim, it’s important to consult a specialist finger injury lawyer. We’ll evaluate your case, review any waivers you may have signed, and clearly outline your rights to compensation.

The cost of your finger injury compensation claim depends on factors like the type of claim and its complexity. If you’re filing a workers compensation claim in NSW, the Independent Review Office (IRO) fully funds your case, so we can assist you at no cost.

For other states and claim types, our No Win No Fee guarantee keeps you protected. We cover all upfront costs, and you won’t pay anything unless we win your claim. Our fees are also capped at 30% of your compensation — much lower than the 50% some other law firms charge. In most cases, we recover fees from the other party, meaning you keep more, if not all, of your payout.

Get in touch with our finger injury lawyers today for a free cost estimate. We’ll explain what you’re entitled to, how much we charge, and how to secure the maximum compensation for your lost limb.