Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) Claim
Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is known to occur for employees who work in an industry where they are constantly using vibrating hand-held machinery. It has been classified as an industrial disease since 1985. Employers may argue that they have informed the employee about the risk of injuries like HAVS before starting employment so they are covered against any industrial compensation claims.
What is HAVS?
Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) has become common for tens of thousands of workers and is recognised thought out various industries. If you suffer from an injury, and you believe it’s due to the equipment you use in your job then you are likely to be suffering from the following effects:
- Fingers change colour (whiteness) – (Also see: Vibration White Finger)
- Loss of manual dexterity (nerves and muscles damaged)
- Tingling in your fingers (blood vessels and nerves damaged)
Do you suffer from Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome?
You may have felt that you are not entitled to compensation because your employer has informed you about the likely health issues you may face with the job role you are fulfilling. However, this is not the case. The employer should have also informed you about how you can reduce the risk of forming Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome. If not treated, HAVS will only get worse, and it will begin to affect your performance at work.
Therefore, get in contact with our solicitor claims team who specialise in dealing with claims such as HAVS. They are able to use their expert knowledge to listen to and manage your claim, so you receive the compensation for your long term injury you are entitled to.
Who can make a claim for Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome?
The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations was introduced in 2005 to improve working conditions and reduce Hand Arm Vibration in the workplace. It outlines the employer’s duty of care and states that they must minimize industrial injuries such as Vibration White Finger.
The employer is required to take measures such as:
- Provide adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), e.g., protective gloves that decrease vibrations.
- Ensure the right tools are available for the job.
- A comprehensive training program that teaches you how to use vibrating tools and prevents injuries.
- Ensuring you take periodic breaks, so you do not use equipment that vibrates for extended periods of time.
- Ensure all tools are in good working condition and are functioning correctly.
- Maintaining a safe working environment and minimizing the risk of injury.
If you believe your employer has been negligent, you may be entitled to hand-arm vibration compensation.
The person who suffers from the Hand-Arm vibration syndrome while working for their employer could be able to make the claim. They should also be able to prove that their employers are legally responsible for causing this condition.
How Much Can You Claim For HAVS?
How Can You Tell if You Have Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome?
This industrial disease affects the joints, nerves, blood vessels and the muscles found in the wrists, hands and arms of a person. It is dangerous to ignore the symptoms of this disease as it could lead to disability. In order to know whether you have the syndrome or not, there are several symptoms that you should look out for. They include; feeling a cold and tingling sensation on the fingers, the fingertips becoming numb and the skin on the fingers whitening. These symptoms cause one to have sleep disorders, not being able to feel things properly using the fingers as well as not being able to lift heavy or small objects. During the cold weather, the symptoms get worse. If you experience these symptoms, you ought to stop working with the vibration tools immediately to reduce the risk of getting permanently disabled.
Is there a hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome test I can take?
How much compensation will I get for Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome?
The amount that you could be entitled to receive for your compensation would be determined by the degree of the body parts that would be affected. If the Hand-arm vibration syndrome could have affected any number of your fingers and no disability is caused that could otherwise affect using the whole hand. You could be awarded compensation settlement in the region of between £2,300 – £13,000.
If the syndrome causes you to have a disability on either both hands or on one hand, the settlement award could be between £13,000 to £25,000. If these symptoms are found to be affecting young people on either one hand or both, the claim settlements would be higher with the largest reaching the regions of £25,000 to £35,000. This is due to the reason that the young person would have to cope with these symptoms for a longer period in their life.
How do I make a Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome compensation claim?
What is the Hand-Arm vibration syndrome diagnosis procedure?
For the diagnosis procedure to be done, the following would be required; evidence that one has been exposed to a long term exposure to vibration, finding the associated features of the musculoskeletal, loss of sensation in the individual’s digits, calluses found on the hands and the muscles weakening, although this does not show during the initial stages of this condition.
The claim forms for the hand-arm vibration syndrome compensation claims are available here. One only needs to fill up the claims form and the rest would be handled by the legal experts at Tylers Solicitors. If one has the condition, they ought to learn how to live with it. You ought to eliminate the vibration source where possible or reconsider redeployment. You should also strive to keep the body warm as well as stopping some practices like smoking. Furthermore, you could also use some drugs, although they have a small part to play but calcium-channel blockers and Nifedipine could prove useful
Call us today on (freephone): 0800 699 0079 for more information and receive possible compensation. Tylers Solicitors work on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ arrangement and are always available to answer any of your questions.
Compensation Amounts
Need more information? Don’t worry, one of our professional claims solicitors will advise you along the way
Contact us on 0800 699 0079 or via our online contact form to start your claim today!
Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome Compensation Claims Calculator
If you are claiming compensation for Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome as a result of a work injury and are looking to find out what the average compensation amount is, use our compensation calculator below to calculate the average compensation you can claim.
Minor Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome Compensation Amounts
If you have experienced intermittent symptoms that only affected a small area and that only had a mild impact on your ability to work or quality of life, then you may be entitled to compensation.
£2,390 to £7,580
Moderate Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome Compensation Amounts
If you are a middle-aged worker and your job has been maintained or switched only in order to remove excessive vibration, then you might be entitled to get compensated. Attacks will mostly happen in a season of cold weather.
£7,580 to £14,690
Serious Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome Compensation Amounts
If you meet the criteria of this bracket, it involves a consistent attack that interferes with work and domestic activity. Attacks may occur throughout the year. If this is your situation, you are entitled to compensation.
£14,690 to £27,740
Severe Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome Compensation Amounts
If you are a younger person experiencing bilateral symptoms and you need compensation, we can help you fight for what you deserve. Bilateral symptoms can in some cases undermine your daily life and may force you into a drastic career change.
£27,740 to £33,700
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Claims
ibration White Finger (VWF) is a common disease that make the fingers turn white that can occur in the workplace by overusing vibrating hand machinery.
Raynaud’s disease is a condition associated with Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome and is legally recognised as an industrial disease.
Industrial Deafness (also known as occupational deafness) is a condition where your hearing will gradually deteriorate over a prolonged period as a result of being exposed to a working environment with excessive levels of noise.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a result of the median nerve becoming pressed or squeezed at the wrist. It is a form of repetitive strain injury that is in the majority of cases a result of the type of work you do.
