Vibration white finger claims

What are the symptoms of vibration white finger?

When blood vessels and nerves are affected, sufferers feel a tingling or numbness in their fingers. In mild cases, it may just affect the fingertips and might not immediately be noticeable. As it becomes more serious, the whole finger can go white down to the knuckles as circulation becomes restricted. This is called ‘blanching'. Flare-ups can last an hour or more.
 
While white finger is caused by vibration, the attacks themselves are periodic and usually triggered by cold. Affected fingers change colour, rapidly becoming pale with loss of feeling. After an episode, the sufferer experiences an intense red flush and painful throbbing in the hand as circulation returns to the fingers. 
 
The condition also affects muscles and soft tissues in the hand. This can often lead to a distressing loss of dexterity for everyday tasks like doing up buttons or picking up small things. Naturally, it can also make life difficult when it comes to doing your job.
 
The effects of vibration white finger are cumulative. Symptoms may disappear after a short time and a break from using vibrating machinery. If exposure to vibration continues over months or years, the symptoms can worsen and become permanent. Extreme cases of vibration white finger can result in amputation.
 
It's easy to think nobody else was responsible for your vibration white finger injury, or to pass it off as something that ‘just happens'. But if you've handled heavy or vibrating machinery at work, then your employer may be at fault for causing the condition. 
 
Ask yourself the following questions:

• Did my employer or manager explain the exposure time limits for using the equipment?
  
• Was there a process for me to track and manage my vibration exposure times?
  
• Was I given sufficient safety training?
  
• Was I provided with the right PPE - for instance, the right anti-vibration gloves? 
  

If the answer to any of these questions is ‘no' then you may be eligible to make a no win no fee compensation claim. We provide free, impartial advice, and if we think you have a claim we'll put you in touch with a specialist vibration white finger solicitor. Call us on and tell us what you've been through.

What tools can cause vibration white finger?

Your employer is responsible for keeping you safe at work. This includes protecting you from dangerous vibrations by following the correct health and safety regulations. If you regularly use hand-held or hand-guided tools and machinery, then you are at risk of vibration-related injury. This type of machinery includes:

• Chainsaws, brush cutters and hedge trimmers.
• Chipping hammers.
• Concrete breakers and concrete pokers.
• Hammer or pneumatic drills.
• Powered mowers.
• Sanders, disc cutters or hand-held grinders.
• Stone or concrete scabblers and needle guns.

Static, powered machinery that you hold also poses a health risk, for instance pedestal or bench grinders. If you're using hammer-action tools for more than about 15 minutes a day, you're at risk. Operators using certain rotary tools for more than an hour a day are also at risk of vibration white finger injury.

If your employer has failed to uphold their duty of care, then they've put you at risk. You may be able to make an accident at work claim for the affect vibration white finger syndrome is having on your life. Contact us on to find out more.

Which industries tend to involve hand-arm vibration?

Industrial, factory, construction and agricultural jobs carry an enhanced risk of workplace injury and occupational illness. Work with vibrating materials, machinery or hand-held equipment is commonplace. Examples include:

• Automotive maintenance, service and repair.
• Construction.
• Energy and communications utilities.
• Forestry, farming and estate management.
• Heavy engineering industry and metal foundries.
• Heavy engineering branches of the armed services.
• Heavy factory manufacturing like automotive, aviation and building materials.
• Mining and quarry excavation.
• Oil and petrochemical extraction.
• Road, rail and infrastructure building and maintenance.
• Shipbuilding and maintenance.

Don't worry if you think your vibration white finger was caused by a different type of work. It's thought that any vibrations cause small but repetitive injuries to the nerves and blood vessels in the fingers which, over time, causes the uncomfortable symptoms of this condition.

You can contact us for free, impartial advice on . We'll help you find out whether you could make a claim. There's no rush and no pressure. We're here to help.

What are the time limits for making a no win no fee white finger claim?

If you've developed vibration white finger through your employer's negligence, then you may be able to make a compensation claim. If you were 18 or over when you first noticed white finger symptoms, you have three years to make a personal injury claim. In the unlikely event you were under 18 at the time and no claim was made, you have three years from your 18th to your 21st birthday to make it. Talk to us on . We can give you all the information you need to make a decision that's right for you.

Who pays the injury compensation in a vibration white finger compensation claim?

Your employer must have employer's liability insurance by law. The insurance company issuing that policy will pay your compensation in a workplace injury claim. We say never accept an offer from an insurance company until you've taken legal advice. An early insurer offer will typically be less than that to which you may be entitled, so come and talk to us first. We'll check your claim and put you in touch with one of our specialist workplace injury law firms.
If they can take on your claim, they'll usually do so on a no win no fee basis and gather the evidence. They'll then negotiate with the other side's insurance company to reach the best settlement for you.

What might my no win no fee vibration white finger claim be worth?

It's difficult to give an accurate figure before your solicitor has begun negotiating with the other side. Workplace injuries and occupational illnesses vary in severity, complexity and the impact they can have on people's lives. Your solicitor will give you a clear idea of what your white finger claim may be worth after they've investigated your situation.

Can I be dismissed for making a vibration white finger claim against my employer?

The short answer is no. All employers have a legal responsibility to make sure you and your colleagues are safe in your workplace. If your employer has failed in their duty of care and you've become ill as a result, you're entitled to full compensation. 
This cannot negatively affect your relationship with your employer and this is protected by UK employment law.

• If your employer tries to dismiss you for making a compensation claim, you may have cause for unfair dismissal.
  
• If they make your life at work so difficult that you end up leaving, you may have cause for constructive dismissal.

In reality, we understand that making a vibration white finger claim against your employer may be worrying. We understand and are here to help.
We'll give you the free, impartial and confidential advice you need to explore an occupational illness at work claim. In your own time and in your way. There's no pressure and no rush.
We'll guide you through those first steps and introduce you to one of our approved specialist no win no fee solicitors. Call us now on to find out more.

How do I protect myself against vibration white finger?

It's your employer's responsibility to protect you against hand-arm vibration syndrome. A well-structured approach to prevention should typically include the following guidance.

• Always use the lowest-vibrating tools to get the job done efficiently.
• Always request and wear the right type of vibration-damping gloves.
• Always use the right tool for each specific task.
• Always check that tools or machinery are in good order before use.
• Always keep cutting tools sharp so that they work as designed.
• Always follow time-limit guidance and if you can, reduce the amount of time you use a vibrating tool for in one session.
• If you can, always store tools so that they do not have very cold or frozen handles when you next use them.
• Maintain good blood circulation by keeping warm and dry and massaging your fingers when you stop for a break.
• If you smoke, it helps to cut back as smoking impedes circulation.
• Avoid gripping or forcing a tool harder than you need to.