Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome Compensation

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome Compensation

Duncan Lewis Industrial Claims Solicitors – No win no fee Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome Compensation Claims

The cause of hand arm vibration (HAV) syndrome is long-term or improper use of drills and other hand-held vibrating power tools.

Workers who use equipment which causes hand-arm vibration must receive proper training – and employers must conduct a risk assessment of tasks and allow workers to take regular breaks, as well as providing safety equipment and instruction as set out in The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, for tools which include:

• Chainsaws/cut-off saws/jigsaws
• Concrete breakers/road breakers
• Hammer drills/power hammers and chisels
• Hand-held grinders/pedestal grinders
• Impact wrenches
• Needle scalers/polishers/ power sanders/scabblers
• Powered lawn mowers/strimmers/brush cutters.

Long-term or incorrect use of handheld vibrating power tools are both significant causes of serious nerve damage among construction workers and workers in industry who use vibrating tools.

Other symptoms of hand arm vibration syndrome include damage to blood vessels in the hands, arms, fingers, shoulders and back/spine – as well as injury to joints, including cartilage damage.

Early symptoms of HAV syndrome include:

• Tingling in fingers
• Numbness in hands and fingers
• Trembling hands
• Unable to pick up/grasp objects
• White tips of fingers (vibration white finger) in cold conditions, which then turn red and become painful.

Serious injuries from misuse or long-term use of handheld vibrating tools can result in permanent disability and the inability to carry on working, as well as enjoying normal daily life.

The industries where workers have a higher risk of HAV injuries include

• Building and construction
• Car manufacture/repair
• Concrete industry
• Engineering
• Estate management and forestry
• Foundries and forges
• Mining and quarrying
• Railway maintenance and construction
• Road construction
• Shipbuilding/repair
• Utilities maintenance (eg gas, electricity, telecommunications).

Workers in industry who use some types of handheld vibrating tool for more than 15 minutes at a stretch or for more than one hour a day may have a higher risk of developing HAV syndrome.

Duncan Lewis industrial claims solicitors can advise construction workers and other workers who have been diagnosed with HAV injuries on how to make no win no fee claims for hand arm vibration syndrome compensation, if an employer has failed in its duties to protect workers from injury under The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.

Making a Claim for HAVS Compensation

Workers who have been diagnosed with hand arm vibration syndrome have three years from the date of diagnosis in which to make a no win no fee compensation claim, if an employer has failed to protect a worker from developing HAV syndrome – including not offering breaks during work or making a risk assessment of the work and not keeping tools sharp to ensure that each task is completed as efficiently as possible to reduce the risk of developing HAV syndrome.

Duncan Lewis Industrial Claims Solicitors – No win no fee Hand Arm Vibration Compensation Claims

Duncan Lewis industrial claims solicitors are leading firm of no win no fee lawyers and can advise victims of industrial diseases and their families on how to make HAV syndrome compensation claims.

Duncan Lewis industrial claims solicitors employ medical experts in industrial diseases if it is necessary to prove a link between a claimant’s employment and later being diagnosed with hand arm vibration syndrome.

Because of the limitation period for making claims for hand arm vibration syndrome, Duncan Lewis industrial claims solicitors advise claimants to get in touch as soon as possible after diagnosis of HAV syndrome to discuss making a compensation claim.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome Compensation Claims call Duncan Lewis Industrial Claims Solicitors on 020 7923 4020.