If you’ve developed vibration white finger (VWF) due to your employer’s negligence, you may be eligible to make a vibration white finger claim for compensation.
Our team specialise in personal injury claims and is here to help. They’ll start with an initial consultation where you’ll get free legal advice on your options. If a claim is viable, we could ask a personal injury solicitor from our team to represent you. Importantly, they provide a No Win No Fee service for all VWF claims taken on.
To find out whether you could get compensation for vibration white finger, call 0800 6524 881 today. Alternatively, please read on to learn more first.
Table of contents
- Am I Eligible To Make A Vibration White Finger Claim?
- Common Causes Of Vibration White Finger Claims
- Jobs & Tools Commonly Linked To Vibration White Finger
- Common Symptoms Of Vibration White Finger
- Evidence To Support A VWF Claim
- How Much Compensation Will I Get For A Vibration White Finger Claim?
- Time Limits For Claiming VWF Compensation
- Do I Need A Solicitor To File A Vibration White Finger Claim?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Starting The Vibration White Finger Claims Process
Am I Eligible To Make A Vibration White Finger Claim?
Generally, you may be eligible to make a vibration white finger compensation claim if you can prove:
- Your employer owed you a duty of care.
- They breached that duty by failing to protect you from excessive vibration; and
- Your VWF symptoms can be linked to that breach.
For example, you may be able to claim if you developed VWF after using vibrating tools for long periods without proper breaks or rotation, or if your employer failed to maintain or replace tools that exposed you to unnecessary vibration.
If you’d like us to check your eligibility to make a claim, get in touch today, and we’ll review your case for free.
Common Causes Of Vibration White Finger Claims
Various types of employer negligence may lead to vibration white finger claims, including:
- Expecting workers to use vibrating tools for prolonged periods without properly assessing or limiting exposure.
- Where personal protective equipment, such as anti-vibration gloves, was not provided by your employer.
- If your employer failed to purchase tools with reduced vibration levels where reasonably practicable.
- Not rotating tasks or allowing adequate breaks to reduce exposure to vibration.
- If you did not receive proper training on the risks of vibrating tools and how to use them safely.
- Failing to maintain, repair or replace vibrating tools that may expose workers to unnecessary vibration.
If your employer failed to protect you and you’ve developed symptoms of VWF, contact our claims advisors for free advice.
Jobs & Tools Commonly Linked To Vibration White Finger
Vibration white finger is often linked to jobs where workers regularly use handheld vibrating tools or machinery. The condition can develop over time, especially where exposure is frequent, prolonged or poorly controlled.
Jobs and industries commonly linked to vibration white finger claims include:
- Construction workers.
- Road workers.
- Factory and manufacturing workers.
- Mechanics and vehicle repair workers.
- Groundworkers.
- Quarry workers.
- Forestry and tree surgery workers.
- Shipyard workers.
- Engineering workers.
- Demolition workers.
Tools and equipment that may be associated with VWF include:
- Pneumatic drills.
- Angle grinders.
- Sanders.
- Chainsaws.
- Hammer drills.
- Compactors and vibrating plates.
- Concrete breakers.
- Powered chisels.
Using vibrating tools at work does not automatically mean your employer was negligent. However, if they failed to assess the risks, reduce your exposure, provide training, maintain equipment or act on symptoms you reported, you may be eligible to make a vibration white finger compensation claim.
Common Symptoms Of Vibration White Finger
As vibration white finger can develop gradually, symptoms may not be obvious at first. In many cases, workers only notice a problem when their fingers become painful, numb or change colour in cold weather.
Common symptoms of vibration white finger can include:
- Fingers turning white or pale, especially in cold or damp conditions.
- Numbness, tingling or pins and needles in the fingers.
- Pain or throbbing when blood flow returns to the affected fingers.
- Reduced grip strength.
- Difficulty handling small objects, tools or buttons.
- Loss of feeling or reduced sensitivity in the fingertips.
- Stiffness or aching in the hands.
- Symptoms becoming worse in cold weather.
In more serious cases, vibration white finger can affect a person’s ability to work, drive, carry out household chores or enjoy hobbies.
If you have developed any of these symptoms after using vibrating tools at work, you should seek medical advice from your doctor. Medical records, a diagnosis and details of your work history could all help to support a vibration white finger compensation claim.
Evidence To Support A VWF Claim
To help prove why your employer was to blame for your VWF, you should look to provide as much evidence as possible to support your claim. This could include:
- Medical records to confirm that a GP has diagnosed your condition as vibration white finger.
- Records of your employment history, including dates of employment, job descriptions, and details of the tools and equipment you used.
- Emails, text messages, or letters you sent to your employer if you raised concerns about your well-being.
- Photographs to show the cause of your VWF, such as photographs of faulty equipment.
- Details of any colleagues who’d be willing to provide a statement about your working conditions.
- Health and safety records from your employer, including risk assessments, training records, and records of any safety measures that were implemented to reduce the risks of vibration.
- Sick notes relating to any time off work you needed because of your injuries.
- Payslips, bank statements, receipts of expenses, and other financial documents to support your claim for special damages.
To help determine your prognosis for calculating a settlement, you’ll usually be asked to attend an independent medical assessment as part of the claims process. This can usually be arranged locally.
You may also find it beneficial to write your own statement to record the problems your condition has caused.
How Much Compensation Will I Get For A Vibration White Finger Claim?
There isn’t a fixed amount of compensation for vibration white finger, as each claim is assessed on its own merits. It is meant to help you recover from your injuries (general damages) and to cover any financial losses caused by them (special damages).
If you’re eligible, you could be compensated for:
- The physical pain and suffering from your symptoms.
- Depression, stress or anxiety (and other types of psychological injuries) caused by vibration white finger.
- Any impact your condition has on your hobbies, social activities or family life.
- Lost earnings, including any reduction of your earnings in the future.
- Medical costs and private medical treatment if needed.
- The time a loved one or carer spent supporting you with everyday activities that you couldn’t complete yourself due to your injuries.
- Travel costs linked to your VWF.
- Aids, devices and modifications to your vehicle or home if they’ll help you to deal with an ongoing disability.
Your VWF claim should be carefully prepared, as you typically only have one opportunity to claim compensation for the same injury against the same employer. If your claim is taken on by one of our specialist solicitors, they’ll discuss your suffering in full before sending your claim. Their aim will always be to secure as much compensation for VWF as possible to help you both now and in the future.
Average Vibration White Finger Compensation Amounts
The Judicial College provide guideline compensation amounts for vibration white finger and other types of work-related injuries and illnesses. We have listed example amounts below based on those guidelines.
- £3,650 – £10,550 compensation for minor vibration white finger, where there may be occasional symptoms in a few fingers.
- £10,550 – £20,460 for moderate cases of VWF where the individual has maintained employment but where attacks still occur, particularly in colder weather.
- £20,460 – £38,610 compensation for serious vibration white finger injuries that affect home life and working life with attacks that may take place throughout the year.
- £38,610 – £46,900 compensation for the most serious cases of VWF causing a significant impact on life and persistent symptoms.
Please note that these figures relate to general damages only. Therefore, we can’t say exactly what payout you might get until your case is reviewed by a specialist.
Time Limits For Claiming VWF Compensation
If you claim compensation for an accident at work, you’d usually have 3 years to start from the date of your accident. However, when claiming compensation for white finger, your condition might not be diagnosed for weeks, months or even years after the damage was done. Therefore, the “date of knowledge” may apply, e.g., from when you first became aware that your VWF symptoms are linked to your work. This ensures you’re not penalised for delayed symptoms or diagnosis.
If you begin your claim early, your solicitor might be able to secure an interim payment from your employer’s insurer. This could help cover urgent costs, such as private medical treatment or rehabilitation, before your claim is settled in full. Also, it should mean there’s ample time to collect medical reports and evidence to support your claim.
Do I Need A Solicitor To File A Vibration White Finger Claim?
While it’s possible to start a vibration white finger claim on your own, a solicitor specialising in workplace claims can make the process much easier. A specialist No Win No Fee solicitor on our team will understand how to gather the right evidence, deal with your employer’s insurer, and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Their experience can be especially helpful if liability is denied or the claim becomes complex.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we’ve answered some commonly asked questions about vibration white finger claims.
How do I know if my white finger was caused by work?
VWF is usually linked to long-term use of vibrating tools, so if your symptoms began after regularly using equipment like angle grinders, breakers, sanders or chainsaws at work, it’s a strong indicator. A medical assessment can confirm the condition.
Can I claim if I was self-employed?
Yes, you may be able to. However, the process for making a claim can be more complicated than if you were an employee. As a self-employed worker, you’ll need to show that you were exposed to excessive vibration at work, and this is what caused it. You will also need to show that your exposure was due to the negligence of another party, such as a contractor or tool manufacturer.
Do I need a diagnosis before I can claim?
You don’t necessarily need a diagnosis to start the process, but you will need medical evidence to prove VWF. Your solicitor can arrange an independent medical assessment as part of the claim to confirm your condition and link it to vibration exposure at work.
Is my job at risk if I make a claim?
Many people have concerns about being disciplined for making a vibration white finger claim against an employer. However, your employer shouldn’t fire you, demote you, stop workplace opportunities or take action against you simply for making an honest claim. Depending on the circumstances, this could amount to constructive or unfair dismissal.
Can I claim for loss of earnings due to VWF?
If VWF has affected your ability to work, reduced your hours, or forced you into lower-paid employment, you can usually claim for the income you’ve lost. Future loss of earnings could also be included if your condition is likely to affect your long-term earnings.
Starting The Vibration White Finger Claims Process
We hope this guide has helped you decide what to do next. If you are ready to start a compensation claim for vibration white finger, please call our advice centre on 0800 6524 881 to begin.
Remember, all accepted VWF claims are dealt with on a No Win No Fee basis, and we provide free legal advice about your claim, whatever you decide to do.
If you need any further advice on vibration white finger claims, please feel free to call or use live chat to get in touch.