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Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome Compensation Claims

We specialise in helping victims claim the hand-arm vibration syndrome compensation (HAVS) they deserve. If you have been diagnosed with HAVS within the last 3 years, fill out the contact form and one of our experts will get back to you at the time you request.

Hand and Arm Vibration Syndrome Compensation Claims

If you’ve received a diagnosis for Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome in the last three years then you may be able to claim compensation for pain, expenses, loss of earning potential, and quality of life reduction as a result.

What is HAVS?

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome, or HAVS, is a medical term used to describe injuries which are caused by the use of vibrating machinery. Tools like pneumatic drills, sanders and needle guns could cause HAVS – and if you use or have used vibrating tools or machinery in the workplace, you could be at risk from HAVS.

What causes HAVS?

HAVS is usually developed as a result of prolonged exposure to intense vibration tools over a long period of time. For instance, the following vibrating power tools present a significant amount of risk for developing HAVS:

  • Surface power tools, such as concrete breakers, sanders, grinders, and disc cutters
  • Saws and drills such as chainsaws, or hammer/pneumatic drills
  • Needle guns
  • Any grass maintenance tools, such as power mowers, strimmers or hedge trimmers
  • Any other rotary equipment and tools at work that are used for more than 1 hour per day.

HAVS Symptoms

One of the issues with HAVs is that it can take a long time to develop, which means it’s easy for symptoms to go unnoticed. But hand arm vibration syndrome can be a debilitating and distressing condition. There’s a wide range of HAVS symptoms, which can range from very minor to quite serious – but they can be easy to miss initially.

  • The colour of your fingers and hands start whitening. Vibration white finger (VWF) is another term for the condition – because fingers tend to turn white due to lack of oxygen
  • Continuous tingling sensations in your hands.
  • A continuous sensation of numbness or coldness.
  • General weakness in affected areas.
  • Extreme sensitivity to cold, manifest in a worsening of symptoms.
  • A loss of manual dexterity.
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Some of these symptoms are serious enough that they can be cause for their own compensation claims. HAVS can affect how people can use their hands and arms, limiting mobility for hours at a time. HAVS can also affect your ability to work, particularly because it affects key parts of the body like joints and blood vessels.

And yet, despite all of this, HAVS still remains very preventable. So if you suffer from Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome, consider making a HAVS claim for compensation.

How to prevent HAVS

The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 stipulates employers have a responsibility to protect their employees, to prevent workers from developing injuries like HAVS. Additionally, the law places a duty on employers to minimise the risks common to hand-operated vibration machinery including power tools. Therefore, your employer should take steps to reduce the risk of developing Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome.

The things that employers need to do include:

  • Giving employees the right tools suitable for the job.
  • Enabling regular breaks from using vibrating machinery and tools.
  • Offering protective anti-vibration gloves.
  • Delivering training on the correct use of vibration tools and machinery.

Moreover, the HSE recommends that you take steps to improve blood circulation. among those suggestions for hand health and safety at work, you’ll find these examples.

  • Keeping warm and dry (when necessary, wear gloves, a hat, waterproofs and use heating pads if available).
  • Giving up or cutting down on smoking, as smoking reduces blood flow.
  • Massaging and exercising your fingers during work breaks.

What is a HAVS Claim?

An employer who breaches the regulations may be liable in a Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome compensation claim. If your employer didn’t follow safety requirements, and it resulted in you developing HAVS, then you could have grounds for a HAVS compensation claim.

As the claimant, you’ll need to prove that you developed HAVS, and also that your employer was responsible for your injury either through negligence or error. One of our panel of solicitors will be able to help you with your HAVS compensation claim – they’ll help gather the proof you need to prove your HAVS diagnosis, though they might ask you to see an independent medical expert for an assessment.

Once your solicitor has determined the cause, nature and extent of your injury, our solicitors will submit a HAVS claim to the responsible party. In the ideal scenario, they will immediately accept responsibility and agree to a payment that’s fair.

However, more likely is that some negotiation will take place before reaching a compensation settlement. In essence, a successful Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome compensation claim does more than one thing.

  • Firstly, the responsible party acknowledges their part in causing your hand arm vibration syndrome injury and the suffering.
  • Also, having a reasonable amount of money that allows you to move on from your injury.

Get in touch with The Compensation Experts today and let us help.

Claiming Compensation for Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome

Did you receive a a hand arm vibration syndrome diagnosis within the last 3 years? The first step in a successful claim for HAVS compensation is to get in touch with The Compensation Experts.

Our friendly advisors will find out more about the circumstances around your injury. We can then determine whether you have reasonable grounds for a claim. If so, we will then match you with a suitable personal injury solicitor who has experience in pursuing HAVS claims. They’ll have the experience, knowledge and expertise to get the best possible result for you.

How Much Can I Claim for Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome?

The amount of compensation you can get in a HAVS claim will vary, depending on the extent of your condition and your personal circumstances. Your compensation may cover the suffering caused by the HAVS injury itself, as well as any loss of earnings and the cost of any specialist medical treatments.

What is important is that the solicitors that The Compensation Experts work with have helped thousands of people receive the compensation they deserve. The solicitors that we work with operate on a no win no fee basis.
Typically, customers pay 25% including VAT of the compensation amount that is recovered by our third-party law firms, although this is subject to your individual circumstances and the actual fee may be more or less than this. For example, you may be required to pay an additional fee for other costs such as after-the-event (ATE) insurance. Termination fees may apply.

Get in touch to discuss your claim in complete confidence today. You’ll get a more clear idea of the compensation your unique case deserves – and we’ll even call you back.

Some other personal injury claims we can help you with

There’s several other Industrial Disease Claims we can help you with on legal advice and legal representation, in addition to Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome.

For most of these diseases, your employer must reduce the risk of you developing these conditions at work. However, you should reach out to us if they

  • Fail to take appropriate action, and;
  • You had the diagnosis within the last 3 years.

Other Industrial Disease Types

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

For those with HAVS, carpal tunnel syndrome is another debilitating and painful hand condition presenting a highly detrimental effect on your everyday life. To that end, the pain and restriction of movement due to compression of the median nerve in the wrist develops weakness, numbness and tingling.

Industrial Dermatitis

Chemical exposure can cause the skin to become itchy and inflamed. Called industrial dermatitis or occupational dermatitis, it may result from damage caused by contact with hazardous chemicals (Irritant Contact Dermatitis), or by a sensitive reaction (Allergy Contact Dermatitis). Susceptible workers include cleaners, hairdressers, hospital workers, and anyone who regularly comes into contact with chemicals like chlorine or pesticides. Symptoms of industrial dermatitis can include itching, swelling, blisters, flaky or dry skin. Additionally, there can exist a stinging or burning sensation on the skin from the chemical.

Occupational Asthma

Asthma is more than just a condition that develops in childhood. At The Compensation Experts, we help adults who have developed the injury in later life due to exposure to air contaminated by dust, dangerous fumes or gas. Asthma UK estimates up to 15% of the new diagnosis of asthma in adults is occupational asthma. Susceptible employees include wood dust workers (bakers and cabinet makers), animal and agriculture workers, hairdressers, and people who work with metals or solder flux.

Occupational Stress

In particular, the law firms of The Compensation Experts can also help clients who are suffering from occupational stress. Stress and anxiety are, unfortunately, a part of the lives of many people. When a psychiatric injury is the result of excessive stress at work, a client may deserve compensation.

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is an injury that occurs carrying out the same activity or motion repeatedly over a prolonged period. Office workers frequently using keyboards and computers are susceptible to RSI. It typically affects the upper body and can lead to pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, wrists, and hands. Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and bursitis, (i.e. swelling and inflammation of the tendons and muscles) are examples of RSI.

Hand and Arm Vibration Syndrome Compensation Claims

If you’ve received a diagnosis for Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome in the last three years then you may be able to claim compensation for pain, expenses, loss of earning potential, and quality of life reduction as a result.

What is HAVS?

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome, or HAVS, is a medical term used to describe injuries which are caused by the use of vibrating machinery. Tools like pneumatic drills, sanders and needle guns could cause HAVS – and if you use or have used vibrating tools or machinery in the workplace, you could be at risk from HAVS.

What causes HAVS?

HAVS is usually developed as a result of prolonged exposure to intense vibration tools over a long period of time. For instance, the following vibrating power tools present a significant amount of risk for developing HAVS:

  • Surface power tools, such as concrete breakers, sanders, grinders, and disc cutters
  • Saws and drills such as chainsaws, or hammer/pneumatic drills
  • Needle guns
  • Any grass maintenance tools, such as power mowers, strimmers or hedge trimmers
  • Any other rotary equipment and tools at work that are used for more than 1 hour per day.

HAVS Symptoms

One of the issues with HAVs is that it can take a long time to develop, which means it’s easy for symptoms to go unnoticed. But hand arm vibration syndrome can be a debilitating and distressing condition. There’s a wide range of HAVS symptoms, which can range from very minor to quite serious – but they can be easy to miss initially.

  • The colour of your fingers and hands start whitening. Vibration white finger (VWF) is another term for the condition – because fingers tend to turn white due to lack of oxygen
  • Continuous tingling sensations in your hands.
  • A continuous sensation of numbness or coldness.
  • General weakness in affected areas.
  • Extreme sensitivity to cold, manifest in a worsening of symptoms.
  • A loss of manual dexterity.
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Some of these symptoms are serious enough that they can be cause for their own compensation claims.

hand arm vibration syndrome compensation claims with The Compensation Experts

HAVS can affect how people can use their hands and arms, limiting mobility for hours at a time. HAVS can also affect your ability to work, particularly because it affects key parts of the body like joints and blood vessels.

And yet, despite all of this, HAVS still remains very preventable. So if you suffer from Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome, consider making a HAVS claim for compensation.

How to prevent HAVS

The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 stipulates employers have a responsibility to protect their employees, to prevent workers from developing injuries like HAVS. Additionally, the law places a duty on employers to minimise the risks common to hand-operated vibration machinery including power tools. Therefore, your employer should take steps to reduce the risk of developing Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome.

The things that employers need to do include:

  • Giving employees the right tools suitable for the job.
  • Enabling regular breaks from using vibrating machinery and tools.
  • Offering protective anti-vibration gloves.
  • Delivering training on the correct use of vibration tools and machinery.

Moreover, the HSE recommends that you take steps to improve blood circulation. among those suggestions for hand health and safety at work, you’ll find these examples.

  • Keeping warm and dry (when necessary, wear gloves, a hat, waterproofs and use heating pads if available).
  • Giving up or cutting down on smoking, as smoking reduces blood flow.
  • Massaging and exercising your fingers during work breaks.

What is a HAVS Claim?

An employer who breaches the regulations may be liable in a Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome compensation claim. If your employer didn’t follow safety requirements, and it resulted in you developing HAVS, then you could have grounds for a HAVS compensation claim.

As the claimant, you’ll need to prove that you developed HAVS, and also that your employer was responsible for your injury either through negligence or error. One of our panel of solicitors will be able to help you with your HAVS compensation claim – they’ll help gather the proof you need to prove your HAVS diagnosis, though they might ask you to see an independent medical expert for an assessment.

Once your solicitor has determined the cause, nature and extent of your injury, our solicitors will submit a HAVS claim to the responsible party. In the ideal scenario, they will immediately accept responsibility and agree to a payment that’s fair.

However, more likely is that some negotiation will take place before reaching a compensation settlement. In essence, a successful Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome compensation claim does more than one thing.

  • Firstly, the responsible party acknowledges their part in causing your hand arm vibration syndrome injury and the suffering.
  • Also, having a reasonable amount of money that allows you to move on from your injury.

Get in touch with The Compensation Experts today and let us help.

Claiming Compensation for Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome

Did you receive a a hand arm vibration syndrome diagnosis within the last 3 years? The first step in a successful claim for HAVS compensation is to get in touch with The Compensation Experts.

Our friendly agents will find out more about the circumstances around your injury. We can then determine whether you have reasonable grounds for a claim. If so, we will then match you with a suitable personal injury solicitor who has experience in pursuing HAVS claims. They’ll have the experience, knowledge and expertise to get the best possible result for you.

How Much Can I Claim for Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome?

The amount of compensation you can get in a HAVS claim will vary, depending on the extent of your condition and your personal circumstances. Your compensation may cover the suffering caused by the HAVS injury itself, as well as any loss of earnings and the cost of any specialist medical treatments.

What is important is that the solicitors that The Compensation Experts work with have helped thousands of people receive the compensation they deserve. The solicitors that we work with operate on a no win no fee basis.

Typically, customers pay 25% including VAT of the compensation amount that is recovered by our third-party law firms, although this is subject to your individual circumstances and the actual fee may be more or less than this. For example, you may be required to pay an additional fee for other costs such as after-the-event (ATE) insurance. Termination fees may apply.

Get in touch to discuss your claim in complete confidence today. You’ll get a more clear idea of the compensation your unique case deserves – and we’ll even call you back.

Some other personal injury claims we can help you with

There’s several other Industrial Disease Claims that the solicitors we work with can help you with on legal advice and legal representation, in addition to Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome.

For most of these diseases, your employer must reduce the risk of you developing these conditions at work. However, you should reach out to us if they

  • Fail to take appropriate action, and;
  • You had the diagnosis within the last 3 years.

 

Other Industrial Disease Types

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

For those with HAVS, carpal tunnel syndrome is another debilitating and painful hand condition presenting a highly detrimental effect on your everyday life. To that end, the pain and restriction of movement due to compression of the median nerve in the wrist develops weakness, numbness and tingling.

Industrial Dermatitis

Chemical exposure can cause the skin to become itchy and inflamed. Called industrial dermatitis or occupational dermatitis, it may result from damage caused by contact with hazardous chemicals (Irritant Contact Dermatitis), or by a sensitive reaction (Allergy Contact Dermatitis). Susceptible workers include cleaners, hairdressers, hospital workers, and anyone who regularly comes into contact with chemicals like chlorine or pesticides. Symptoms of industrial dermatitis can include itching, swelling, blisters, flaky or dry skin. Additionally, there can exist a stinging or burning sensation on the skin from the chemical.

Occupational Asthma

Asthma is more than just a condition that develops in childhood. At The Compensation Experts, we help adults who have developed the injury in later life due to exposure to air contaminated by dust, dangerous fumes or gas. Asthma UK estimates up to 15% of the new diagnosis of asthma in adults is occupational asthma. Susceptible employees include wood dust workers (bakers and cabinet makers), animal and agriculture workers, hairdressers, and people who work with metals or solder flux.

Occupational Stress

In particular, the law firms of The Compensation Experts can also help clients who are suffering from occupational stress. Stress and anxiety are, unfortunately, a part of the lives of many people. When a psychiatric injury is the result of excessive stress at work, a client may deserve compensation.

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is an injury that occurs carrying out the same activity or motion repeatedly over a prolonged period. Office workers frequently using keyboards and computers are susceptible to RSI. It typically affects the upper body and can lead to pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, wrists, and hands. Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and bursitis, (i.e. swelling and inflammation of the tendons and muscles) are examples of RSI.

    Start by speaking to our expert team now and find out how much your claim could be worth...

    Am I eligible?

    If you have developed HAVS in the last 3 years, due to the negligence of your employer, the short answer is yes.

    If you think your employer was at fault due to unsafe working conditions or lack of suitable equipment, you may have grounds for a HAVS compensation claim.

    Find out more

    How much could I claim?

    As every case of Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome is different, the amount of HAVS compensation that you might receive can vary. The deliberation process will take into account the extent of your HAVS injuries, how much you have lost in earning potential as well as future losses.

    Our dedicated team of HAVS claim experts will use judicial guidelines to give you an idea how much you might be able to claim.

    Find out more

    How does the process work?

    At The Compensation Experts, we understand that HAVS can be debilitating when it comes to your working life and future, so we'll always make the process as easy and stress-free as possible.

    Our usual process is once we've spoken to you, your dedicated HAVS solicitor will begin gathering evidence, and make the negligent party aware of your HAVS compensation claim. Your expert solicitor will negotiate on your behalf, and make sure you're always kept up to date on proceedings.

    Find out more