What is Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) or Vibration White Finger (VWF)
Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome previously known as Vibration White Finger is an industrial disease caused by the exposure of the hands to severe vibration from hand-held tools or pieces of equipment, such as pneumatic drills and grinders.
What causes Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome?
The vibration causes neurological and vascular symptoms which are believed to be due to the repeated pressure on the nerves and arteries of the hands.
Symptoms of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome
Symptoms can lay latent for a considerable period of time and include:
- tingling sensation in the fingers
- numbness in the fingertips
- cold sensation in the fingers
- whitening of the fingers, and
- loss of dexterity
The severity of the condition can vary depending on the length and level of exposure suffered by the individual. Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome can affect any individual who has used hand held or operated vibratory tools or equipment at work over a period of time.
Can I claim compensation for Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome/Vibration White Finger?
Simpson Millar LLP has a highly experienced occupational disease team that can help you to claim compensation.
If you believe you are suffering with Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome or have any of the symptoms outlined above and have worked in an industry using vibrating tools you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.
Since the mid 1970s it has been recognised that vibrating tools could cause Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome/Vibration White Finger and, therefore, a duty of care was placed on employers to protect their employees.
In order to prove that there has been a breach in the duty of care it is necessary to prove that a person has been exposed to a quantity of vibration which was known at the relevant time to create a risk of injury in most of the population.
Time limits
Any claim for Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome must be made within 3 years of the date you knew or ought to have known that you were suffering with the condition. It is, therefore, important that you contact a solicitor as soon as possible to seek legal advice.
Simpson Millar LLP' specialist team of dedicated and highly skilled solicitors deal with Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome and Vibration White Finger claims frequently and will advise you fully and help you to make a compensation claim.
Call our helpline today on 0800 011 1166 or use our free, no obligation,
online enquiry form to register for a call back or call us directly on 0844 858 3600.
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