Vibration White Finger case study

Mr Thomas, 45, from Leeds got Vibration White Finger from working with a pneumatic drill on road works over a period of ten years. The condition worsened over the years and gradually became irreversible. Mr Thomas' fingers and hands were affected by numbness, pins and needles and he developed a weak grip which was worse in his left hand (the hand that he wrote with).

He brought the matter to his employer's attention but was told that there were no other tools sufficiently hardy to do the roadwork he had been assigned to do, and that if he did not use them, he would lose his job. He continued to work with the company for another five years, but then was made redundant. After his redundancy, he found himself unable to find another drilling job because of his condition and the weakness in his hands.

He decided to make a compensation claim and take his employer to court claiming his injury had ruined his ability to work properly and that he would have been able to find another job if he didn't have Vibration White Finger.

His personal injury solicitor argued that Mr Thomas was not warned about the dangers of Vibration White Finger when using vibratory tools, was not given any protective equipment nor was he encouraged to take regular breaks while using the equipment.

The company admitted liability and Mr Thomas' condition was measured against the Stockholm Workshop Scale - the accepted table for grading the severity of Vibration White Finger. As significant disablement had taken place, employment was affected, and he was suffering frequent attacks in his fingers, they decided his condition was severe. He was awarded £20,000 personal injury compensation.

Mr Thomas said: "When you have an injury that is not an accident and is not your fault, which destroys your ability to work and earn money, you should seek compensation."

Claiming industrial accident compensation
Here at YouClaim our solicitors are some of the best in the UK and have specialist knowledge of industrial accident compensation claims. They will be able to ascertain what your employer should have and could have done to protect your physical safety and avoid the accident and injury you have suffered.

At no point during a Vibration White Finger claim will you have to pay anything to anyone. You'll be protected from your solicitor's legal fees by the no win, no fee arrangement and insured against any legal costs, meaning there really no charges at all.

Call us now on 0800 10 757 95 and we will take you step-by-step through the claims process and explain the no win, no fee arrangement.