Trigger Finger Injury – A Guide to Claiming Compensation

Suffering from trigger finger can have a serious impact on your ability to function on a daily basis. It could mean that you can’t drive, work or carry out simple tasks like opening doors. If your working conditions have led to your trigger finger injury, it may be possible to seek compensation for the suffering caused. In our guide about claiming compensation for trigger finger, we explore when you could claim compensation, the types of evidence you could use and how the claims process works.

We can help you claim compensation for trigger finger. Initially, a legal advisor will review your case with you in a free initial consultation. They’ll help to determine whether you have a feasible claim against your employer and explain your options. If your case is strong enough, you could be partnered with a solicitor from our team. Crucially, they’ll offer a No Win, No Fee trigger finger claim if your case proceeds.

For more information on trigger finger compensation claims, you can:

• Call us on 0333 241 2519 and let us know how you have suffered.
• Use our free live chat service to discuss your case with an online advisor.

Please read on for more on trigger finger compensation claims and feel free to call us with any questions.

What Is Trigger Finger?

The NHS states that trigger finger is a condition that can occur when tendons or tendon sheaths in your hand become swollen or inflamed. If the tendon is unable to move freely through its sheath, a small nodule may form. This nodule can make it difficult to bend the affected thumb or finger. Sometimes, this can lead to pain and a clicking noise if the finger is straightened.

Other names for trigger finger include stenosing tenosynovitis or stenosing tenovaginosis. It is possible for the condition to affect multiple fingers and the thumb at the same time and it could develop in both hands.

Some of the main symptoms associated with trigger finger include:

• Pain at the bottom of the affected finger or thumb when it is moved or touched.
• Stiffness or clicking in the affected digit (this can be worse in the morning).
• Fingers that become locked in a bent position.
• Pain even when the hand isn’t in use.

The treatment for trigger finger depends on the severity of your symptoms. In some cases, anti-inflammatory medication could be prescribed along with rest. In more serious cases, a stent may be used to keep the finger straight and steroid injections might be used to reduce swelling. Surgery on the tendon may be required in some cases to allow it to move freely again.

Which Types of Workers Are Most at Risk of Developing Trigger Finger?

Occupations requiring frequent use of forceful hand and finger movements or those that involve prolonged gripping tasks tend to have higher incidences of trigger finger. This means that those working as farmers, musicians, construction workers, factory workers and any other roles involving repetitive thumb and finger operations may be at increased risk.

Workers in these fields should take preventive measures, such as regular breaks, using ergonomic tools, and exercises to reduce the risk. If symptoms of trigger finger appear, seeking early treatment can prevent the worsening of the condition.

Can I Claim Compensation for Trigger Finger at Work?

You may have grounds to sue your employer for work-related trigger finger if you can show that:

• Your employer, legally, owed you a duty of care; and
• They were negligent while you were in their employment; and
• You have been diagnosed with trigger finger linked to that negligence in the last three years.

If you think that your employer is responsible for your trigger finger injury, please call our legal advisors now to see if you could be compensated.

What Types of Negligence Can Lead to a Trigger Finger Injury Claim?

As explained above, you may only be entitled to claim for work-related trigger finger caused by your employer’s negligence and that their negligence meant they breached that duty.

Proving a duty of care existed is not actually that difficult because all employers are bound by the rules of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Therefore, it is more important to prove that your injury has been caused by your employer’s negligence. Here are some examples of when that might be the case:

• If you work on a production line but have not received adequate training on how to reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries.
• Where you work with heavy vibrating tools and the tendons have been injured in your hand because your employer failed to provide anti-vibration gloves or other forms of PPE.
• If your employer failed to allow you adequate rest breaks and this led to your tendon inflammation.
• Where your employer failed to make changes to your working practices despite recommendations from your GP or an occupational health specialist.

If you believe you have been diagnosed with trigger finger because of your employer’s negligence, why not call our legal advisors now for advice about your next steps?

What Should I Do If My Job Is Causing Trigger Finger?

If you suspect your working conditions are putting you at risk of trigger finger, you should:

• Email your employer to explain why you’re concerned and to suggest any changes you think would help.
• Ask if your employer could arrange for an occupational health assessment of your role to be conducted.
• Speak to your GP for medical advice if you’re suffering any symptoms of trigger finger and share this with your employer.

If your employer chooses not to do anything after you’ve taken these steps, they could be deemed negligent and that may enable you to claim compensation for a trigger finger injury.

What Evidence Can Be Used for a Trigger Finger Injury Claim?

Trigger finger injury claims are usually dealt with by insurance companies rather than your employer directly. As such, to try and ensure that a) you win the claim and b) you are awarded a fair settlement, you should provide as much evidence as you can. This could include:

• Photographs of any visible defects in your hands.
• Copies of your medical records and details of any treatment you’ve received.
• Contact details for colleagues able to confirm your working practices.
• Photographs of any defective equipment that could’ve caused trigger finger.
• Copies of any correspondence you’ve sent to your employer about your concerns along with their responses.

If you work with one of our solicitors when claiming compensation for trigger finger, they’ll review any evidence you’re able to supply and could agree to obtain any further information needed.

How Long Do I Have to Claim Trigger Finger Compensation?

Personal injury claims have a 3-year time limit here in the UK because of the Limitation Act 1980. As trigger finger generally develops over time rather than after a single incident, you’ll normally have 3 years to start a trigger finger claim from your date of knowledge i.e. the date it was diagnosed.

The Limitation Act enables claims to be refused if they are made outside of the allowable timeframe. Therefore, to avoid missing out on any compensation due, we’d suggest that you get in touch with a legal advisor as soon as possible after you’ve been diagnosed with trigger finger.

How Much Compensation for Trigger Finger?

The level of compensation awarded in successful trigger finger claims will typically be based on a) level of suffering and b) financial losses linked to the injury.

General damages is the part of the claim that covers physical and emotional suffering. It also covers loss of amenity. For instance, if you play guitar in a band regularly but are unable to do so because of trigger finger, this loss of enjoyment would be considered when your claim is settled.

When valuing personal injury claims, solicitors often refer to similar cases where a settlement has been awarded and compensation brackets listed in the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). As such, we’ve used JCG data to give you an idea of potential settlement amounts.

Depending on factors such as whether trigger finger affects one or both hands, the severity of your symptoms, its impact on your work and daily activities, whether surgical intervention was required, and other factors, compensation for general damages could range anywhere from £2,200 to £23,130.

On top of general damages, you could claim compensation for any financial losses caused by your injuries. This means your settlement could cover:

• Medical treatment costs (including private surgery in some cases).
• Support costs.
• The cost of specialist devices to help improve your grip while you’re recovering.
• Loss of earnings and any future loss of income.
• Travel costs.

If your claim is accepted by an accident-at-work solicitor from our team, they’ll review your case in detail to ensure that no aspect of your suffering is missed.

Can I Start a Claim if I’m Not a Full-Time Employee?

Whatever type of employment contract you have, you could be entitled to trigger finger compensation so long as you can prove your employer’s negligence caused your suffering.

Our solicitors are able to help anyone with a feasible claim take action including zero-hours staff, agency workers, the self-employed, subcontractors and consultants. Please get in touch to find out more.

Will I Be Sacked If I Sue My Employer for Trigger Finger?

Legally, you have the right to make a trigger finger compensation claim against your employer without fearing any negative repercussions. That means that so long as your trigger finger claim is for a genuine injury, your employer cannot fire you, discipline you, demote you, bully you or pick on you in any other way. If that were to happen, it could be possible to begin legal action for unfair or constructive dismissal.

Do You Need a Work Injury Solicitor for Trigger Finger Claims?

Some of the potential benefits of a work injury solicitor to make a trigger finger claim include:

• You don’t need to deal with your employer’s insurers.
• You won’t need to research complex pieces of legislation.
• You won’t need to deal with any negotiations directly.

Not only should the claims process be easier for you but you could have a better chance of receiving the right level of compensation if your trigger finger claim is handled by one of our solicitors.

Crucially, all accepted claims are processed on a No Win, No Fee basis. That means you:

• Don’t pay your solicitor for their work upfront.
• Don’t pay your solicitor if the claim is lost.
• Will only pay your solicitor’s success fee if you receive a trigger finger compensation payout.

The type of contract you’ll sign if the claim proceeds is called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). When a CFA is used to fund your solicitor’s work, the maximum percentage they can deduct for their success fee is 25 per cent.

To see if you could make a No Win, No Fee trigger finger claim, please call now.

How Long Do Trigger Finger Compensation Claims Take?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a set duration for trigger finger claims as each case is unique.

Generally, if your employer has accepted liability for your condition and you have already made a complete recovery, you might expect compensation to be paid within 4 to 6 months or so.

If your symptoms are ongoing or time is needed to negotiate over liability for your injury, your claim could take between 6 and 12 months or longer in certain circumstances.

Contacting Us About a Trigger Finger Compensation Claim

If you’re ready to find out if you could claim compensation for work-related trigger finger, you can:

• Phone 0333 241 2519 to speak to one of our specialist advisors.
• Use our free live chat service to discuss your case online.

We provide no-obligation legal advice and you’re welcome to ask us questions about your case in the call. If you decide to proceed and one of our solicitors agrees to represent you, your trigger finger compensation claim will be dealt with on a No Win, No Fee basis.