Hand Arm Vibration Claim Payouts: HAVS, Raynaud’s Syndrome, Whole Body Vibration Syndrome
In this article we set out the compensation payouts you can claim for conditions caused by vibrating power tools and equipment including: Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), Vibration White Finger. Raynaud’s syndrome, Whole Body Vibration Syndrome; we set out the different types of compensation you can claim; give detailed calculations of compensation payouts for hand arm vibration claims with access to our specialist solicitor free help if you have been exposed to vibrating equipment at work.
- Hand Arm Vibration Claim Payouts: HAVS, Raynaud’s Syndrome, Whole Body Vibration Syndrome
- Table Of Hand Arm Vibration Claim Payouts In 2023
Table Of Hand Arm Vibration Claim Payouts In 2023
The award for pain and suffering for hand arm vibration claims is similar to that for vibration white finger. See our vibration white finger article – for more details about VWF claims.
Read on – our payout table deals only with pain and suffering. We explain later in this article the additional compensation you can claim, including financial loss and expense.
| Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome | Claim Payouts |
|---|---|
| Minor Occasional symptoms Mild effect | £3,000 – £8,700 |
| Moderate Moderate symptoms Worse in the cold | £8,700 – £16,800 |
| Serious One or two arms / hands Hampered ability to use hands | £16,800 – £31,700 |
| Severe Both arms Ability to work affected Younger Claimants | £31,700 – £38,500 |
What is hand arm vibration syndrome / HAVS?
Hand arm vibration syndrome also known as HAVS refers to a condition typically brought on in the workplace from the use of hand held vibrating power tools and machinery.
The condition affects all the body parts that make up your hand, wrist and arm – developing slowly over time and becoming more severe the longer exposure occurs.
Raynaud’s Syndrome And VWF
Hand arm vibration syndrome can lead to two other conditions known as Raynaud’s Syndrome and Vibration White Finger (also known as VWF or dead finger).
Be aware – there is much overlap between HAVS and VWF, but we recommend you see our vibration white finger compensation payout article that deals exclusively with VWF and the amounts you can claim.
Raynaud’s Phenomenon – describes the condition which leads to the extremities of the fingers, toes, ears to become white.
Raynaud’s Phenomenon can either be caused from unknown reasons (idiopathic reasons) in which case it is referred to as Raynaud’s Disease or it can be caused from use of vibrating machinery and power tools – in which case the condition is referred to as Raynaud’s Syndrome.
Vibration White Finger Syndrome, VWF or dead finger refers to Raynaud’s Syndrome when it only affects the fingers and thumb on the hand.
If one of these disorders was brought on from the excessive continuous use of vibrating machines in the workplace – it is known as an industrial disease.
Watch out – you may work with machinery and equipment that caused your whole body to vibrate. This can lead to a wider condition affecting more than just your hands and arms – known as Whole Body Vibration Syndrome.
What is a hand arm vibration claim?
If your employer can be shown to be legally responsible for causing your hand arm vibration condition – you will be entitled to a claim for compensation from your employer / employer’s liability insurance known as a hand arm vibration condition claim. Your compensation will be composed of money for your pain and suffering plus additional sums for your financial loss and expense.
Remember – vibration conditions can include HAVS, Vibration White Finger, Raynaud’s Syndrome or Whole Body Vibration Syndrome.
What are the main types of compensation you can claim?
There are three main types of compensation that can form part of your hand arm vibration claim, which include:
Financial losses and expenses
If you suffer from some form of hand arm vibration condition – it is very likely your ability to continue working with power tools and vibrating machinery will be severely hampered. so lost income for both past and future loss will form a significant part of your HAVS claim.
In addition to lost income you will likely incur medical expenses, travel expenses to your hospital and GP and perhaps need family or friends to help you in the home (a rate can be charged for this).
Pain and Suffering
Every type of injury, including HAVS, will cause you pain and suffering for which you are entitled to receive compensation.
The amount of compensation you can claim will depend on the severity and duration of your symptoms.
Legal Costs
So long as your claim for pain and suffering is over £1,000 – you are entitled to claim the majority of your legal costs in pursuing a claim. This sum will be paid direct to your solicitor and strictly speaking is not called compensation, but is known as legal costs.
Examples of how much your hand arm vibration claim is worth
The amounts of compensation you are entitled to for Hand Arm Vibration, Vibration White Finger or Raynaud’s Syndrome is very similar and some examples for a claim settling in 2023, include:
Mild HAVS with occasional symptoms in a few fingers
If you suffer only from occasional symptoms which has a mild effect on leisure and work and affects only a few finger – the average claim payout for HAVS will be calculated between £3,000 – £8,700.
Moderate hand arm vibration affecting the fingers
If your are in your middle age years affected by moderate hand arm vibration symptoms, your employer may have had to adjusted your work practice to reduce vibration exposure, but you still have moderate symptoms especially in the cold you can expect a compensation claim settlement between £8,700 – £16,800.
Serious disability to one or both hands
If your Raynaud’s Syndrome causes disability to one or both hands, such that it hampers your ability to use your hands you could expects compensation amounts calculated between £16,800 – £31,700.
Severe symptoms in both hands for younger people
Should you be younger when you experience your vibration condition – you will have a longer time to live with your symptoms and hence attract more compensation.
Severe hand arm vibration syndrome claims affect younger people in both arms – symptoms will be severe with ability to work being markedly affected. Severe HAVS claims will attract the largest claim settlements calculated between £31,700 – £38,500.
HAVS Compensation Summary
In this article we have calculated how much compensation you can expect for a hand arm vibration syndrome claim (HAVS), which includes claims for Raynaud’s Syndrome and Whole Body Vibration Syndrome.
Free Legal Help From Our Specialist Solicitors
We offer various specialist solicitor online / telephone free help options – you can ask an online question, have your potentials HAVS claim assessed or receive a callback to discuss your vibration exposure with one of our specialist solicitors.
