Adam Baron, a top Ft. Lauderdale work injury attorney, explains Florida’s anti-retaliation law and what to do if you’re punished for filing a claim.
Injured your hand or fingers at work? If so, you should consider speaking with a workers’ compensation attorney. Attorneys like Adam Baron help injured workers deal with the complicated process of correctly filing work injury claims, battling with insurance companies, or dealing with denied claims.
Your hands are essential to almost every job. A hand or finger injury can make it difficult to grip tools, operate machinery, type, lift, cook, build, drive, or perform other basic tasks.
For some workers, a serious hand injury can affect their ability to earn a living long after the initial accident. You want to make sure you get the benefits that you deserve under Florida law.
If you injured your hand or fingers at work in Florida, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.
What are the Common Hand and Finger Injuries That Can Happen at Work?
Work-related hand injuries can happen in virtually any industry across Florida.
Common examples include:
- Broken fingers
- Crush injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Tendon injuries
- Nerve damage
- Dislocations
- Burns
- Fractures
- Loss of grip or dexterity
- Partial or complete amputations
These injuries can occur when a hand becomes caught in machinery, is struck by equipment, is crushed between objects, or is cut by a tool.
They can also develop gradually from repetitive use.
What Are Florida Jobs Where Hand Injuries Are Common?
Hand and finger injuries can occur in many different occupations, including:
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Warehousing
- Landscaping
- Automotive repair
- Food service
- Healthcare
- Delivery
- Agriculture
- Retail
A serious hand injury can be particularly devastating for workers whose careers depend on fine motor skills.
A surgeon, electrician, mechanic, carpenter, chef, or machinist may experience very different consequences from the same physical injury.
What are Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Hand Injuries in Florida?
Florida workers’ compensation can provide medical benefits for covered workplace injuries.
Depending on the injury, treatment may include:
- Emergency care
- Surgery
- Specialist treatment
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Medication
- Prosthetic devices
- Follow-up care
If the injury prevents you from working or limits your ability to perform your regular duties, you may also qualify for wage-loss benefits.
Serious injuries can also result in permanent impairment. The long-term effect of a hand or finger injury should be carefully evaluated rather than focusing only on the initial medical bills.
What If You Lose a Finger or Part of Your Hand While at Work?
An amputation is among the most serious types of workplace hand injury. Estimated payouts for losing a finger at work in Florida could be $50,000 to over $150,000.
Losing even one finger can affect grip strength, dexterity, balance between the fingers, and the ability to perform specific job tasks.
A more extensive amputation may require a prosthetic device, extensive rehabilitation, and significant changes to a person’s career.
The long-term consequences of an amputation can therefore be much greater than the immediate medical treatment.
What If the Insurance Company Says Your Hand Injury Was Not Caused by Work?
Hand injuries can sometimes involve repetitive use or conditions that develop over time rather than a single accident.
That can create disputes about whether the injury is actually work-related.
Florida workers’ compensation law has specific requirements concerning the relationship between employment and an injury or condition. Medical evidence can be particularly important when an insurance company argues that a hand condition came from something outside of work.
The work activities you perform, the development of your symptoms, your medical history, and your doctor’s opinions may all become important.
What Should You Do After a Hand Injury at Work?
Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible. Florida generally requires workplace injuries to be reported within 30 days, although you should not wait that long if you can report the injury sooner.
Seek medical treatment and tell the medical provider that the injury occurred at work.
If possible, photograph the injury and the equipment or work area involved. Identify anyone who witnessed the accident.
Keep copies of your medical records and follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations.
Do not assume that a small cut or finger injury is insignificant. Nerve, tendon, and joint damage can sometimes have lasting consequences.
When Should You Contact a Florida Workers’ Compensation Attorney After a Hand Injury?
A hand injury may justify speaking with an attorney when:
- You suffered an amputation
- You need surgery
- You have permanent loss of function
- You cannot return to your regular job
- Your claim has been denied
- The insurer disputes that the injury is work-related
- You have significant medical treatment or lost wages
- The insurance company is offering a settlement
The Law Offices of Adam Baron, P.A. recently handled a Florida workers’ compensation matter involving a serious work-related hand injury and loss of fingers. The firm’s experience with these cases illustrates why the long-term impact of a hand injury needs to be considered—not just the initial emergency treatment.
Injured Your Hand or Fingers at Work?
A hand injury can affect your job, your income, and your independence.
If you were injured while working in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Coral Springs, or anywhere else in Florida, the Law Offices of Adam Baron, P.A. can review your situation and explain your options.
With more than 30 years of experience representing injured workers, our attorneys work directly with clients throughout Florida.
Contact us for a free, no-obligation case review.