Hand & Finger Workers Comp Injuries
Hand and finger injuries are some of the more common work-related injuries. Obtaining full value for these cases requires a basic understanding of the anatomy and how the cases are valued.
Basic Hand Anatomy
The hand and wrist is composed of 27 bones. There are 8 carpal bones in the wrist (two rows of 4 cube shaped bones with the distal row nearest the hand and the proximal row near the forearm), 15 bones in the fingers (also known as phalages) and 5 bones (metacarpals) in the hand that make up the "palm."
The fingers are divided into the distal phalange or the area of the finger past the first knuckle (DIP joint). The second portion of the finger is called the middle phalanges. it is separated from the next area by the PIP joint (proximal interphalangeal joint). The portion of the finger closest to the hand is the proximal phalanges.
In many medical records, the fingers will be referred to as the thumb, 2nd finger (index finger), 3rd finger (middle finger), 4th finger (ring finger) and the 5th finger (small or pinky finger).
Compensation for Hand and Finger Injuries
Under workers compensation, the area of your injury is determined by a disability schedule that is often referred to as a chart (Missouri). In determining your ultimate level of compensation for permanent partial disability, it is important to distinguish the area of the injury and the area of the disability.
Types of Hand & Finger Injuries
The causes of hand and finger workers comp injuries include:
Basic Hand Anatomy
The hand and wrist is composed of 27 bones. There are 8 carpal bones in the wrist (two rows of 4 cube shaped bones with the distal row nearest the hand and the proximal row near the forearm), 15 bones in the fingers (also known as phalages) and 5 bones (metacarpals) in the hand that make up the "palm."
The fingers are divided into the distal phalange or the area of the finger past the first knuckle (DIP joint). The second portion of the finger is called the middle phalanges. it is separated from the next area by the PIP joint (proximal interphalangeal joint). The portion of the finger closest to the hand is the proximal phalanges.
In many medical records, the fingers will be referred to as the thumb, 2nd finger (index finger), 3rd finger (middle finger), 4th finger (ring finger) and the 5th finger (small or pinky finger).
Compensation for Hand and Finger Injuries
Under workers compensation, the area of your injury is determined by a disability schedule that is often referred to as a chart (Missouri). In determining your ultimate level of compensation for permanent partial disability, it is important to distinguish the area of the injury and the area of the disability.
Types of Hand & Finger Injuries
The causes of hand and finger workers comp injuries include:
- Lacerations
- Crush Injuries
- Carpal Tunnel, and
- Fractures