Amputated finger compensation
By Mark Clause. Last Updated 1st August 2022. If you suffer a severe injury to your index finger, it could possibly lead to an amputation. And if this happens, because there was a breach in the duty of care owed to you on the roads, in a public place or at work you may be looking for some legal advice about whether you have the grounds to pursue a claim.
But how can you make an amputated index finger claim, and would it succeed? Well, this guide provides an example case study for a £30,000 payout on an amputated index finger injury. We’ll also be covering amputations in general, along with care claims, special damages, compensation calculations and No Win No Fee.
You may also speak with our friendly team to discuss your amputated index finger claim. Our specialists could put you in touch with our panel of personal injury solicitors, who could handle your case.
Call us on 0800 408 7825, use our Live Chat feature or complete our online form. Our advisors are accessible 24 hours a day and 7 days a week to discuss your amputated index finger claim.
In the meantime, feel free to click any of the headings below.
Choose A Section
- A Guide To Amputated Index Finger Compensation Claims
- What Is An Index Finger Amputation?
- Can An Amputated Index Finger Cause Financial Loss?
- Common Amputation Accidents
- Care Claims For Amputees
- We Can Value Index Finger Amputation Settlements
- Case Study: £30,000 Payout Amputated Index Finger (Non-Dominant Hand)
- How To Estimate A Finger Amputation Payout
- No Win No Fee And Conditional Fee Agreements
- Are Top Personal Injury Lawyers Close To Me?
- Discuss With Us
- Further Info
A Guide To Amputated Index Finger Compensation Claims
If you end up having an amputation to your index finger on your non-dominant hand, it may be due to an accident. This could allow you to make a negligence claim if a third party causes the injury. However, the person or organisation you hold responsible for your injury must have had a duty of care towards you. This guide explains the criteria for making a negligence amputated index finger claim, and also:
- A breakdown of an index finger amputation
- Financial losses from an amputated index finger injury
- Care claims
- General and special damages
- A case study of a £30,000 compensation payout
- Compensation calculators
- No Win No Fee
Now, when claiming for any injuries such as an amputated index finger, there is a personal injury claims time limit. This means that you would have 3 years to claim from when you first injured your finger or from the date of knowledge. As for a child (someone aged under 18) or a victim who lacks the mental capacity to claim a close relative or another appointed representative could be their litigation friend to process the amputated index finger claim on their behalf. Once the child turns 18 or the victim becomes able to represent themselves, if no claim has been previously made though, the 3-year clock would begin at that point.
Find out more by chatting with our specialist team anytime.
What Is An Index Finger Amputation?
An amputation occurs when a part of the body has to be surgically removed or is removed through an accident in this case, the index finger. Reasons for an amputation may include a severe limb infection, gangrene (a condition causing body tissue to die due to limited blood supply), serious trauma to the area, or a limb deformity.
But perhaps an accident has directly caused or triggered the events causing the index finger amputation on your non-dominant hand.
Now, to make a negligence amputated index finger claim, you must meet the following 3 criteria:
- A third party owed you a duty of care
- But a breach of that duty of care occurred
- And caused you to suffer an injury such as an amputated index finger.
Three typical scenarios could lead to an amputated index finger claim relating to your non-dominant hand. The first is employer’s liability (EL). According to the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers should go as far as reasonably possible to uphold their employees’ health, safety and wellbeing.
But a dangerous machine at work could damage your index finger to the point that an amputation is required. If the injury happened due to your employer’s negligence this could mean an amputated index finger at work claim.
The second is public liability (PL). The Occupiers Liability Act 1957 states a duty of care designed to prevent accidents and injuries in public places. If an injury occurs in public parks, playparks, bars and restaurants through negligence this may be the backdrop for an accident resulting in your index finger being amputated. Public liability insurance could impact any public liability claim for your non-dominant index finger amputation.
And the third is a road traffic accident (RTA). The Highway Code notes that all users of the road should provide a duty of care to one another and vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. So, a collision or a crash resulting in your index finger being amputated could suggest a duty of care breach if a third party is liable for the accident. It’s also possible that your amputated index finger on your non-dominant hand is only one of multiple injuries.
If you wish to file a multiple injury claim, or indeed any claim, you can talk with our knowledgeable team. They could connect you with personal injury solicitors to handle your amputated index finger claim.
Can An Amputated Index Finger Cause Financial Loss?
An amputated index finger on your non-dominant hand could certainly cause financial losses. Think about the obvious medical bills, as well as professional nursing costs and physiotherapy. Then we have potential lost earnings during your recovery time. And then consider increased public transport usage, since driving may be severely affected by your injury. Give us a call today to discuss financial losses that could form your claim for an amputated index finger.
Common Amputation Accidents
Amputation accidents could occur in a variety of ways. Workplace accidents involving large, dangerous machinery could damage your index finger to the point of requiring amputation. Back in 2019/20, there were 693,000 instances of an injury at work.
Meanwhile, a basic slip or trip in a public place could damage a finger enough to instigate an infection that eventually results in an amputation. Any accident in a public place could range greatly in severity. If the occupier of a public space fails to adhere to health and safety legislation they may be liable for any injury that happened due to this failure.
And a car accident may damage you to the point that your index finger is amputated. In 2016, almost 180,000 drivers suffered injuries, while 99 cyclists died in in2018.
Care Claims For Amputees
An amputation is a severe injury. Therefore, it’s probable that you would require professional care to handle your recovery. If you need care while recovering this could form part of the special damages claim in which you recuperate back any expenses you have incurred because of your injury. This could potentially include:
- Extra support from family members and friends
- Professional nursing services
- General services like cleaning and gardening
Now, to find out more about care claims, use our 24/7 Live Chat.
We Can Value Index Finger Amputation Settlements
In order to have an accurate estimate of your potential damages, you would need to undergo an independent medical evaluation as part of the claims process. A full medical check diagnoses the full extent of the injury on your non-dominant hand, and it details your expected recovery period.
More so, it could prove that, only for the accident, you wouldn’t have suffered an amputated index finger. Your No Win No Fee solicitor could then value your potential index finger amputation settlement. It would be broken down into general damages and special damages.
General Damages
General damages would be covering the pain, suffering and loss of amenity resulting from your index finger amputation. They would primarily spotlight your physical and mental challenges.
Special Damages
Meanwhile, special damages would handle the financial impact of the amputated index finger on your non-dominant hand. Special damages focus on lost earnings, medical costs, public transport expenses and physiotherapy. Why not call us using the number at the top of the page to discuss general damages and special damages.
Case Study: £30,000 Payout Amputated Index Finger (Non-Dominant Hand)
Mr Vaughn, 36, works as a librarian in Stockport. He lives with his partner, and they have a pet dog named Jack. Away from work, he has a stamp collection, and he also enjoys cycling.
One afternoon at work, Mr Vaughn was asked to move equipment ahead of a renovation of the library by his manager. This included him assisting a colleague with moving a heavy bookshelf. He was unaware, however, of a sharp piece of metal sticking out of the bottom corner. As he tried to lift it, the metal stuck into his left index finger. Mr Vaughn immediately began bleeding heavily from his finger, and he called for help. Mr Vaughn noticed that his finger was hanging off.
He was told that the cut was deep enough that there had been nerve damage rendering the finger unusable. To Mr Vaughn’s horror, he was told that his left index finger would have to be amputated.
The operation was a success, though Mr Vaughn had to spend around a week in the hospital to recover due to complications. He was then told to rest at home until he was fully recovered as the doctors did not want to risk him getting an infection in the wound area.
Mr Vaughn was left distraught over the situation. Through a routine task at work, he had lost a finger. He needed help around the house until he got used to doing the chores again, walking the dog and fulfilling gardening duties. Mr Vaughn needed quite a bit of rehabilitation as he found it very difficult to get used having a finger missing.
After seeking legal advice, Mr Vaughn filed a compensation claim against his employers. Firstly he had never received manual handling training so should have not been asked to lift the bookshelf in the beginning and secondly, the defected bookshelf had been reported to management before but had been ignored. He received £30,000 as an out-of-court settlement from the library’s insurance company. This included £17,000 in general damages and £13,000 in special damages.
| Type Of Special Damages | Includes: | How Much? |
|---|---|---|
| Current Loss | Lost earnings from being unable to work | £7,000 |
| Physiotherapy – Prescription Charges | Professional rehabilitation costs to assist with his recovery | £2,000 |
| Professional Care | Professional nursing care costs | £1,500 |
| Additional Costs | Added costs relating to the impact on the sufferer’s life – Gardening – Dog walker – Professional house cleaner | £2,500 |
The case of Mr Vaughn is purely an example. It is based on our past experiences of handling and valuing claims and serves to illustrate how accidents can happen and how they are valued.
How To Estimate A Finger Amputation Payout
When you suffer an amputation of the finger, you may decide to take legal action. However, it’s imperative to know how much compensation you could receive for this injury.
A number of factors could influence finger amputation settlements. These include the severity of your injury and its impact on your life. Furthermore, the nature of the accident is also crucial in determining how much you may get.
To provide some assistance, we have the table below that offers several settlement examples. These figures are from the 2022 edition of the Judicial College Guidelines, a highly credible source used by legal professionals worldwide.
| INJURY TYPE | SEVERITY | COMPENSATION AMOUNT | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amputation Of Index And Middle And/Or Ring Fingers | N/A | £61,910 to £90,750 | An injury that requires the amputation of the index, middle and/or ring fingers. |
| Severe Fractures To Fingers | N/A | Up to £36,740 | A significant finger bone injury which could bring about a deformity and may require an amputation. |
| Loss Of Thumb | N/A | £35,520 to £54,830 | An injury whereby its impact causes the removal of the thumb. |
| Amputation Of The Terminal Phalanges Of The Index And Middle Fingers | N/A | In the region of £24,990 | An injury that requires the amputation of the bones in the index and middle fingers. |
| Amputation Of The Ring And Little Fingers | N/A | In the region of £21,810 | An injury that requires the amputation of the ring and little fingers. |
| Total And Partial Loss Of Index Finger | N/A | £12,170 to £18,740 | An injury whereby its impact causes the full or partial removal of the index finger. |
| Serious Injury To Ring Or Middle Fingers | N/A | £10,320 to £16,340 | A significant injury which could bring about a deformity and permanent loss of grip to the ring or middle finger. |
| Amputation Of The Little Finger | N/A | £8,640 to £12,240 | An injury that requires the amputation of the little finger. |
| Loss Of The Terminal Phalanx Of The Ring Or Middle Fingers | N/A | £3,950 to £7,870 | An injury whereby its impact causes the removal of the bones in the ring or middle fingers. |
| Loss Of Part Of The Little Finger | N/A | £3,950 to £5,860 | An injury whereby its impact causes the removal of the little finger. |
We should point out that these examples focus solely on general damages, those being the physical and psychological consequences of your accident. Special damages, which include potential medical costs, lost income and other expenses, could further contribute to a finger amputation payout. Call our helpful team at any time if you have any questions.
No Win No Fee And Conditional Fee Agreements
No Win No Fee has always proven popular with claimants. There are numerous benefits from No Win No Fee for your amputated index finger claim, and they include:
- No legal fees would be required up-front
- Nor would any legal fees be required during the case
- And your personal injury solicitor would only take a nominal, legally capped amount (called a success fee) if you receive compensation.
What does that mean? Well, if your case is unsuccessful, you don’t have to pay anything to your solicitor. You can learn more about No Win No Fee by using our Live Chat.
Are Top Personal Injury Lawyers Close To Me?
The internet has opened up the way to find the best services possible even if they are not close to you. Lawyers can provide a service no matter where you are based and where they are located.
Our panel of No Win No Fee personal injury solicitors provide a nationwide service which means that they can handle your case no matter where in the country you are located.
So call our advisors today using the number above to speak about your amputated index finger claim.
Discuss With Us
Now, we want to hear about the amputated index finger injury you have suffered to your non-dominant hand. Our team could provide free legal advice to you through a no-obligation consultation. You can contact us by:
- Telephoning 0800 408 7825
- Using our Live Chat
- Completing our contact form
Don’t forget that our knowledgeable team is accessible 24/7, and there would be no obligation to proceed with your case.
Further Info
We thank you for reading our guide about making a compensation amputated index finger claim. Why not find out more about the topic by using the links below.
Find out more about what we do by clicking here.
To read about injuries in public places, click here.
You can click here to learn more about cycling accidents.
Click here to read the official NHS guidance about amputations.
To find out about all of the various NHS services, click here.
You can read the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 by clicking here.
Article by AR
Publisher LA.