Hand Injury Compensation Claims

Last Updated On 2nd November 2025. Suffering a hand injury can cause a tremendous amount of pain and disruption in your life. If the injury was sustained due to someone else’s negligence, you could make a hand injury compensation claim for injuries ranging from minor to the loss of a hand.

Here at Legal Expert, our hand injury claims team understand the impact these injuries can have and can help you pursue a claim on a No Win No Fee basis.

Below, you can learn all about the claims process, how hand injury compensation amounts are calculated, and how our specialist personal injury solicitors can help with everything from gathering evidence to filing the claim within the time limit.

To speak with us today about making a claim, just click the buttons below:

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Can I Make A Hand Injury Claim?

You must meet the relevant eligibility criteria to make a hand injury claim. There are some general criteria which all personal injury claims must meet. These are:

1. That you were owed a duty of care by a third party, like your employer
2. That the duty of care was breached
3. This breach caused you harm

In the following sections, we look at different circumstances in which hand injury claims could be made and the eligibility criteria such claims must meet, ranging from hand injuries at work to medical negligence.

Hand Injuries At Work

Under legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, your employer has a duty of care to you. Per this duty of care, employers must implement reasonable measures to ensure your health and safety in the workplace.

Examples of workplace accidents could include:

• There is a defective machine that is leaking oil. The machine is not repaired despite your manager knowing about the fault. You slip on the oil and land heavily on your hand.
• A broken hand at work could be caused when you are hit by a crane that is negligently operated.
• Serious injuries at work can result in crushed hands and limbs, or even amputations.
• Your employer may have provided you with no PPE or inadequate PPE for the job.

Hand Injuries Sustained In Road Traffic Accidents

All drivers and road users owe each other a duty of care. They must use their vehicles in a manner that does not cause harm. To comply with this duty of care, they must use the roads safely and adhere to the Highway Code and Road Traffic Act 1988.

The failure to do so could lead to hand injuries, such as:

• If a driver fails to stop at a junction, they could collide with an oncoming vehicle. A collision could cause serious injury or nerve damage to the hand.
• A driver may change lanes without signalling or checking their mirrors. The force of impact could result in broken bones in the hand.
• You could also experience crushed hand injuries, as well as suffer harm to your fingers and hand caused by airbags and shattered glass.

Accidents In A Public Place Resulting In Hand Injuries

The entity in control of a public space, such as a restaurant, shop or leisure centre, is known as the occupier. The occupier may be a local authority, business, individual or other organisation. Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, this occupier has a duty of care to members of the public using this space. They must take reasonable steps to make sure that the space is safe to use for the purpose it is intended for.

Examples of how you could suffer a hand injury in a public place could include:

• You trip over a defect in a public park that the occupier should have been aware of. You hurt your hand as a result.
• You could suffer a finger injury if it is crushed in a faulty shop door which closed on your hand.

These are just some examples of circumstances in which you could be eligible to make a hand injury compensation claim. Please contact us if you have any questions about your individual circumstances.

Medical Negligence and Hand Injuries

As well as suffering a direct physical injury in an accident, you may also suffer a hand injury resulting from medical negligence. For example, you could have needed surgery on your hand, but that could have gone wrong, leading to you suffering nerve damage. In some rare cases, surgery could also be performed on your wrong hand.

If you want to check if you can make a medical negligence claim for a hand injury, get in touch with us today.

How Much Time Do I Have To Make A Hand Injury Claim?

According to the Limitation Act 1980, the time limit to start hand injury claims is 3 years. However, there are certain instances where this time limit is paused:

• Minors: Since a minor cannot legally make a claim before the age of 18, the time limit is paused until then. After their 18th birthday, they will have 3 years to commence their claim.
• Mental Capacity: Since an individual with reduced mental capacity cannot legally make a claim, the time limit is paused indefinitely. However, if the person regains their mental capacity, the time limit would commence immediately.

Apart from waiting for the time limit to apply, another option is to make a claim on behalf of the individuals mentioned above. You can do this by becoming a litigation friend.

For more information on personal injury time limits or claiming on behalf of somebody else, please speak to our advisors now.

How Much Compensation For A Hand Injury?

If your hand injury claim is successful, this will result in compensation. Amounts and payouts can vary depending on the type of hand injury you suffered, how serious it was and the impact this had on your life, such as your ability to work.

You may be awarded general damages that take your injury into account and special damages which account for expenses or losses related to the injury.

To give you an idea of potential hand injury compensation amounts,we’ve included figures at the top of this page. These figures are based on the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), a publication which helps lawyers reach fair valuations for injuries.

We’ve also created this quick hand injury compensation calculator tool which you can use to estimate your potential settlement. If you’d rather a personal estimate, please reach out to us by clicking below:

What Else Can A Hand Injury Compensation Payout Cover?

As well as claiming compensation for the physical pain caused by the hand injury, it’s possible to claim for the financial impact, known as special damages.

For example, if you suffered a hand amputation, you may be unable to return to work. In cases like this, you can claim for your lost earnings, your future loss of salary, and any loss to the likes of your pension contributions.

Any financial cost that you can link to the injury, you can generally recover and include in a hand injury settlement. For example, if you couldn’t drive and had to pay for taxis, you can claim back these losses too.

The key thing to remember is to keep receipts, invoices and bills so that you can prove the expense when making the hand injury claim.

Our Hand Injury Compensation Case Studies

Over the years, our specialist hand injury solicitors have helped many people claim compensation. Below, you can find links to some of our detailed case studies:

Common Hand Injuries You Can Claim Compensation For

The hand is an intricate appendage. It is composed of different types of nerves, tendons and ligaments, as well as different bones and joints. This can make injuries to the hands more complex than those to other parts of the body.

Hand injuries may include (but are not strictly limited to) the following:

• In the most serious of cases, you could suffer a hand amputation or partial amputation.
• Crush injuries to your hand
• It’s also possible to suffer nerve damage to your hands and fingers.
• Broken or fractured bones in the hands and fingers. These include those to the scaphoid, lunate, triquetral, pisiform and trapezium, as well as those to the phalanx and metacarpal bones.
• Dislocations of bones in the hand or fingers.
• Tendon or ligament injuries.
• Other soft tissue injuries such as bruising, sprains, strains or tendonitis.

Please get in touch with our team for further information on different types of hand injury compensation claims.

What Evidence Do I Need?

Collecting evidence in support of your claim is an important part of the hand injury claims process. Following your accident, your first steps should be to obtain medical treatment and ensure the incident is reported to the relevant party.

You should obtain medical treatment as soon as possible after suffering a hand injury. This may involve calling the emergency services, visiting an A&E department or going to your GP surgery. When you do so, you may request a copy of your medical records. These may be used as evidence of your injury, its severity and prognosis for recovery.

Accidents should be reported to the relevant party. Who they should be reported to will depend on the type of accident you were harmed in. For example, an accident at work should be reported to your employer. They should record this in the accident report book. It may also need to be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Road traffic accidents should be reported to the police within 24 hours if they can not be reported immediately. Finally, if injured in a public place, your accident should be reported to the occupier, and they may have an accident book to record it in.

You should obtain a copy of any accident report, as this may be used as evidence in your hand injury compensation claim. Additional types of evidence you could collect may include:

• Witness statements. You should collect the contact details of anyone who witnessed the incident take place.
• Take a photo of the scene of the accident, its cause and your injury.
• Proof of any special damages you may wish to claim for. This could include invoices to prove medical expenses or wage slips proving lost income.

Contact our team to get further legal advice on how to prove your compensation claim.

How Legal Expert Can Help You Claim Compensation

You are not legally required to claim compensation with a personal injury solicitor and have the right to do so without using one. However, we believe that there are strong benefits to working with a specialist solicitor.

Our hand injury claims team has decades of combined experience, led by Antony Jennings and Patrick Mallon. They’ll explain any complex legal or medical terminology used and will guide you expertly through the hand injury claims process.

If you are concerned about the potential cost of working with a solicitor, then you’ll be pleased to learn that we can work with you on a No Win No Fee basis.

This is a way for people to pursue their hand injury claim without the need to make upfront payments for our services. You will also not need to pay any such service fees whilst the claim is underway, as it progresses or if it fails.

If your case wins, your solicitor will charge a small fee, which is deducted from your compensation amount. If you’d like to book a consultation to see if you can make a No Win No Fee hand injury claim, click below.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Below, you can find answers to some frequently asked questions on hand injury compensation claims:

Can I Claim Compensation If My Accident Made a Pre-Existing Hand Condition Worse?

Yes. If your accident aggravated or accelerated an existing condition, you can still make a hand injury claim. UK law recognises that even if your hand wasn’t completely healthy before the accident, you should be compensated for the additional harm caused. Medical evidence will be used to show how your symptoms worsened after the incident so your payout accurately reflects the new level of pain, limitation, or disability.

How Can I Prove That My Employer Was Responsible for My Hand Injury?

To prove your employer was at fault, you’ll need to show that they failed in their legal duty of care to keep you safe at work. Common examples include not providing protective gloves, poor maintenance of machinery, or a lack of safety training. Evidence such as accident reports, photos, witness statements, or CCTV footage can support your claim. A solicitor can also request safety records or inspection reports to help prove negligence.

Can Self-Employed Workers Claim for a Hand Injury?

Yes. Even if you’re self-employed, you can still make a hand injury claim if another person or company was responsible for your accident. For instance, if you were injured by faulty equipment or unsafe working conditions on a site managed by another business, they may be held liable. Your solicitor will help identify who owed you a duty of care and who should pay compensation.

Can I Claim for Emotional or Psychological Effects of a Hand Injury?

Absolutely. Many people experience anxiety, depression, or confidence issues after a serious hand injury, especially if it affects their appearance or ability to work. These psychological effects can be included in your compensation claim. Your solicitor may arrange an independent assessment to document these symptoms and ensure they’re factored into your total award.

What If I Can’t Go Back to My Previous Job After a Hand Injury?

If your injury stops you from returning to your old job, your settlement can include compensation for loss of earnings, future income, and retraining costs. For example, manual workers who lose strength, dexterity, or grip may receive higher payouts because their career options are limited. You can also claim for any equipment or workplace adjustments you need to continue working safely.

Can I Claim Compensation For A Hand Crush Injury?

Yes. Hand crush injury compensation claims are often higher due to the long-term damage caused to bones, muscles, and tendons. Severe crush injuries can lead to permanent disability, loss of grip, or even amputation. Depending on severity, compensation can range from £20,000 to over £100,000, including the cost of surgeries, therapy, and loss of earnings.

How Do Hand Crush Injury Claims Differ From Fractures or Sprains?

Hand crush injuries usually cause far more extensive damage than fractures or sprains. They can affect bones, nerves, muscles, and tendons, sometimes leading to long-term disability or loss of hand function. Because of their severity, compensation for crush injuries is often higher. These claims may also include the cost of surgery, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation to restore as much use of the hand as possible.

How Much Compensation Will I Get For A Broken Hand?

Broken hand compensation depends on how serious the fracture is and how long recovery takes. A simple fracture that heals in a few weeks might attract £4,000–£7,000, while a complex or multiple fracture with long-term disability can exceed £15,000. If a broken hand occurred at work or in a car accident, additional damages for lost income and future risk can be included.

Could I Make A Hand Tendon Injury Compensation Claim?

If you’ve suffered tendon damage from a cut, repetitive strain, or machinery accident, you may be eligible to claim. Hand tendon compensation claims often consider the degree of loss of movement and strength. Minor tendon damage may be worth £5,000–£10,000, while severe or multiple tendon injuries can exceed £25,000, especially if surgery or long-term therapy is needed.

How Long Does A Hand Injury Claim Take?

Most straightforward hand injury claims settle within 6 to 12 months once medical evidence is complete and liability is accepted. More complex cases, such as severe crush injuries or amputations, can take 18 months to 2 years, particularly if long-term recovery needs to be assessed before settlement.

Can I Claim If I Was Partly At Fault?

Yes, you may still be able to claim even if you share some responsibility. The compensation may simply be reduced according to your level of fault—a concept known as contributory negligence. For instance, if you were 25% to blame, your final hand injury settlement amount would be reduced by 25%.

How Can Hand Injury Solicitors Help Me?

Specialist hand injury solicitors understand the medical, occupational, and emotional challenges of these cases. They’ll assess liability, gather medical evidence, calculate your compensation, and negotiate the best possible settlement. Working on a No Win No Fee basis, they ensure you only pay if your claim succeeds.

More Information On Claiming For Limb Injuries

We have added guides on related subjects from across our site, as well as external informational resources and references:

• Learn more about the road traffic accident claims process in this guide.
• Check how long after an injury at work you could claim in this guide.
• If you suffered an injury in a public place, your council or local authority may be responsible. Check how to claim here.

References:

• Find information on tendon hand injuries in this NHS guide.
• Find advice on managing hand pain in this NHS guide.
• View information on Statutory Sick Pay at this government resource.

We appreciate you reading our guide about hand injury claims. Please contact our advisors if you have any further questions about the claims process.