Hand and Wrist Injury Compensation Claims

If your hand or wrist injury is permanent, you may be entitled to an additional lump sum payment. ‘Permanent’ can mean a full hand amputation, but it can also include loss of function or ongoing pain from a severe crush, deep cut, or tendon damage.

To secure a lump sum workers comp settlement for a hand injury, you’ll need to go through a Whole Person Impairment (WPI) assessment. This will measure how much your injury has impacted your life. In some states, you must meet a minimum WPI threshold to be eligible for a lump sum. For example, in NSW, you need a WPI of at least 11%.

To learn more, check out our comprehensive guide to workers compensation claims for permanent impairment.

If your hand injury was caused by your employer’s negligence, you may be eligible for a common law damages claim.

Unlike standard workmans comp hand injury settlements, a common law claim can result in a much larger lump sum — sometimes reaching hundreds of thousands, or even millions, in severe cases.

In addition to your regular workers compensation benefits, your payout could also include:

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

With so much at stake, it’s crucial to have an expert hand injury lawyer by your side. We have over 25 years’ experience in employer negligence claims, so we know exactly what it takes to build a solid case and secure the maximum compensation for your hand injury.

Our track record is a testament to our success — we’ve never lost a common law claim against an employer. Get in touch today for a free consultation.

If your hand or wrist injury leaves you permanently unable to work, you may be eligible for a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) claim through your superannuation. Unlike workers comp or other claims, a TPD claim provides a lump sum payout based on your super policy’s terms.

The good news? Many super funds include TPD cover automatically, meaning you could qualify for a payout without even knowing it.

Not sure if you’re eligible? Our hand injury lawyers can review your super policy and entitlements for free.

If your hand or wrist injury has temporarily stopped you from working, you might be eligible for income protection benefits, which can include:

• Monthly wage replacement to help cover living expenses.
• Up to 75% of your regular income, including superannuation.
• Payments for a set period, such as 2 years, 10 years, or even until retirement.

If you’ve suffered a hand injury in a car accident, your compensation will depend on several factors, including the state you’re in and whether or not you were at fault.

Depending on your situation, you could be entitled to:

• Lost income: compensation for wages you’ve already lost, as well as future lost earnings if the accident wasn’t your fault.
• Pain and suffering: covering both the physical and emotional effects of your hand injury.
• Care and support: whether from professional caregivers or family members, including help if you can no longer care for a dependent.
• Additional costs: such as medical expenses, travel for treatment, and any necessary home or vehicle modifications.

For more detailed information, check out our complete guide to motor accident claims.

If you injured your hand in a slip and fall accident on public, private, or rental property, you may be eligible for a public liability claim. This type of claim can provide compensation for:

• Lost income and superannuation: covering both past losses and future financial impact.
• Care and support: assistance for you and your dependents, if needed.
• Pain and suffering: compensation for the physical and emotional toll of your injury.
• Additional expenses: including medical costs and necessary modifications to your home or vehicle.

For a detailed breakdown of potential compensation, check out our full guide on public liability compensation.

If your hand or wrist injury happened because of a medical professional’s mistake or carelessness, you could have a medical negligence claim. The amount of compensation you receive varies greatly based on the injury’s severity and its impact on your life:

• Minor injuries: for relatively mild injuries, like a sprain or damage caused by improper handling during a procedure, compensation might range from $20,000 to $50,000, depending on recovery time and any ongoing discomfort.
• Severe injuries: for more serious cases, such as permanent loss of hand or wrist function or amputation, compensation can reach into the millions, especially if it severely affects your ability to work and live independently.

Depending on the specifics of your case, compensation could cover:

• Lost income: including both past and future earnings, as well as superannuation.
• Pain and suffering: compensation for both physical and emotional distress caused by the injury.
• Care and support: whether provided by a professional or family. This also includes compensation if you can no longer care for yourself or a dependent.
• Additional costs: this could include medical expenses, travel for treatment, and any necessary home or vehicle modifications.

For more information on your potential compensation, check out our full guide to medical negligence claims.

After a workplace injury, make sure to:

• Notify your employer about the hand or wrist injury right away.
• See a doctor and get a ‘certificate of capacity’.
• Ask for a workers compensation claim form to begin the process.

Talk to a hand injury lawyer as soon as you can. In a free consultation, we’ll help you understand if you have a claim and when you might start receiving weekly payments. We’ll also check if you’re eligible for lump sum compensation, common law damages, or any additional benefits.

If you choose to work with us, we’ll get to work on your claim immediately, ensuring you receive any immediate support you need, like coverage for medical expenses or extra assistance at home.

Your hand injury lawyer will gather all the essential evidence to support your claim and show how your injury is linked to your job. This includes witness statements, evidence from your treating doctors, and expert opinions from our network of medical specialists.

Your hand injury lawyer takes care of everything — from filing your claim to handling all the paperwork. We ensure it meets all the requirements, deadlines, and evidence standards. With a carefully prepared claim, we help you avoid delays and get your workers compensation payments quickly.

Once your workers compensation payments begin, we’ll move forward with securing your additional entitlements, such as lump sum compensation for permanent, common law damages or TPD claims. These can result in much larger payouts, often surpassing what a standard workers compensation claim would provide.

You’ll need to make your hand or wrist injury claim within a strict deadline, which varies depending on what type of claim you’re making and the state you’re in.

If you’ve missed the deadline, don’t worry — every state has exceptions, and our experienced hand injury lawyers can apply for one on your behalf. Over the years, we’ve helped countless clients overcome delays and still get the payouts they deserve.

Not sure where you stand? Get in touch today — we’ll walk you through your options, free of charge.

Hand injury at work claim

Let your employer know about your hand or wrist injury as soon as possible. You’ll then have between 6 to 12 months to file a workers comp claim, depending on your state.
If you’re making a common law claim, the deadlines also vary by state. Some give you three years from the date of your injury, while others start the clock when you realise your employer’s negligence caused the injury.

Car accident claims

In most states, you’ll need to report your accident to the state insurer as soon as possible. Once that’s done, you must start court proceedings within a set deadline. This could be anywhere from 13 weeks to three years, depending on your state.

To learn the exact time limits in your state, head to our complete guide to motor accident time limits.

Slip and fall or medical negligence claims

The deadline for filing a slip and fall or medical negligence claim depends on your state. In some states, you have three years from the date of your injury. In others, the clock starts when you first realise your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence.

Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) claims

Unlike personal injury claims, TPD claims usually don’t have strict time limits — unless your policy specifically states otherwise. That said, it’s always best to start your claim as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the harder it can be to gather evidence, and insurers may be more likely to challenge or deny your claim.

If your hand injury workers comp claim is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. The insurer is required to provide a notice explaining why your claim was rejected. At this point, you can request a review of their decision.

To win your appeal, you’ll need to show that the insurer made an error in its judgment, which can be complex. That’s why it’s important to get legal advice before you start the process. Our experienced hand injury lawyers have helped many clients successfully overturn denied claims. Get in touch for a free consultation, and we’ll review the insurer’s decision and discuss the best approach for your appeal.

Temporary income support

While you’re working on your appeal, you may find yourself without income. In this situation, it’s important to tap into any employment benefits available to you, in this order:

• Sick leave (since it’s not paid out if you stop working).
• Annual leave.
• Long service leave.

Income protection

Your superannuation policy might include an income protection benefit, which can offer temporary support while you’re unable to work. If you’re not sure about your income protection or super benefits, get in touch with us today. Our team will review your policy and give you a free assessment of your entitlements.

Government unemployment benefits

You may be able to claim government unemployment benefits like JobSeeker or the Disability Support Pension.

Yes, you can claim workers compensation for repetitive strain injuries (RSI) or carpal tunnel syndrome if they were caused by your work activities. These conditions usually develop gradually due to repetitive motions, poor posture, or prolonged use of tools and equipment.

However, making a successful RSI workers compensation claim is often more complicated than for other physical injuries like back strains or broken bones, where the cause is usually more obvious. Since RSI injuries develop over time, it can be challenging to prove they are directly related to work. You’ll need strong medical evidence and expert testimony to link your condition to your job.

This is particularly important if the insurer disputes your claim, which is common with RSI cases. They may argue that the condition isn’t caused by work or that it’s pre-existing. In either case, you’ll need solid evidence to counter their claims.

Before moving forward with your RSI workers compensation claim, we strongly recommend seeking legal advice. A specialist RSI lawyer can help build a clear timeline of your injury and gather compelling medical evidence to support your case.

In addition to your initial claim, if you’ve lost fingers or experienced an amputation (partial or full), you may qualify for extra compensation, such as a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) claim through your superannuation or a lump sum workers compensation payout. In some cases, you might be eligible for both.

Amputations can completely change your life, and getting the right legal support is crucial to making sure you receive the full compensation you deserve. During a free consultation, we’ll take the time to listen to your story and offer clear, straightforward advice on what compensation you’re entitled to. This goes beyond just covering lost income and medical costs — we’ll ensure your compensation reflects the full financial, physical, and emotional toll of your amputation, now and for the future.

TPD compensation

If your amputation leaves you permanently unable to return to work, you may be eligible to make a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) claim through your superannuation. Unlike weekly workers compensation payments, a TPD claim provides a lump sum payment designed to secure your long-term financial future. The amount you receive will depend on your super fund and the specific terms of your policy.

Lump sum workers compensation payouts

If you’ve lost fingers or suffered an amputation due to a workplace injury, you could be entitled to a lump sum payment on top of your weekly workers compensation benefits.

To qualify, you’ll need to undergo a Whole Person Impairment (WPI) assessment. This assessment evaluates how much your injury has affected your daily life and overall functioning. In some states, there’s a minimum WPI threshold you’ll need to meet to qualify for a lump sum payout — but with most amputation cases, you’ll likely meet this requirement.

Some of the most common causes of workplace hand injuries include:

• Working with heavy parts and moving machinery can lead to crush injuries and RSIs.
• Exposure to extreme heat and sparks increases the risk of hand burns.
• Heavy lifting can lead to tendon injuries, sprains and fractures.
• Repetitive cutting and the use of sharp tools can cause hand lacerations.
• Handling jackhammers can lead to vibration-related conditions like Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).

This is not a complete list ­— as long as your injury happened because of work, you can make a workers comp hand injury claim.

If your hand or wrist injury happened in a single workplace accident, proving it was caused by work is usually straightforward. But if your injury developed over time, like a Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), things get more complicated.

To succeed in an RSI claim, you’ll need strong medical evidence and expert opinions linking your condition to your job. Insurers often dispute RSI claims, arguing that your injury wasn’t caused by work or was a pre-existing condition. Without the right evidence, they may reject your claim entirely.

That’s why it’s crucial to get legal advice before you start. A specialist hand injury lawyer will build a clear timeline of how your injury developed, gather the right medical evidence, and fight against insurer pushback to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

If you’ve hurt your hand while playing an organised sport or during activities like jet skiing, rock climbing, or skiing, you could have a public liability claim.

What compensation can cover

A successful claim could provide financial support for:

• Lost income and superannuation: covering wages you’ve missed and any future earnings at risk.
• Care and assistance: whether from professionals or family. This also includes compensation if you can no longer care for your dependents.
• Pain and suffering: recognising the negative impact of your injury on your life.
• Out-of-pocket expenses: including medical treatment, rehab, and necessary home or vehicle modifications.

However, since these activities come with inherent risks, you’ll need to prove that safety measures were lacking.

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

Before moving forward, speak with a specialist hand and wrist injury lawyer. We’ll assess your case, review any waivers you signed, and clearly explain your rights to compensation.