The accident resulted in the immediate loss of his right index and middle fingers, leaving him with permanent restrictions affecting his grip, dexterity and ability to undertake manual work. He was also unable to return to his previous occupation as a machine operator and had to find alternative employment.

Our role was to understand not only the extent of his physical injuries, but how the permanent loss of two fingers would affect his working life, independence and confidence in the years ahead. We also helped him access psychological treatment and obtained specialist prosthetic evidence to identify support that could improve the function and appearance of his hand and help maximise his independence.

How did the machinery accident happen?

Our client was working as a machine operator when the accident happened in February 2023.

While attempting to clear a blockage from a machine, his dominant right hand became trapped. It was alleged that a safety guard designed to prevent access to the dangerous parts of the machinery had been removed, and the accident resulted in the immediate severing of his index and middle fingers.

Machinery is an unavoidable part of many manufacturing and industrial workplaces, but employees should be able to carry out their duties without being exposed to unnecessary risks. Appropriate guarding and safe systems of work can be particularly important where moving machinery has the potential to cause catastrophic injuries.

What injuries did our client suffer?

The accident caused traumatic amputations of the right index and middle fingers. The loss of two fingers on his dominant hand had permanent consequences for both the function and appearance of his hand.

Medical evidence obtained during the claim identified a number of ongoing problems, including:

• Permanent loss of finger length, grip strength and dexterity
• Sensitivity affecting the remaining finger stumps
• Pain if the affected areas were knocked or subjected to impact
• Cold intolerance
• Permanent restrictions affecting heavy manual work and tasks requiring fine hand movements
• Visible disfigurement, which caused embarrassment and self-consciousness

For someone whose occupation had previously involved practical and manual work, the significance of these limitations extended well beyond the immediate injury. Everyday tasks that had previously been straightforward now required adjustment, while his employment options became more restricted.

Supporting our client's rehabilitation and recovery

The impact of the accident extended beyond the physical loss of his fingers.

We obtained independent psychological evidence to understand how the accident had affected our client's emotional wellbeing and confidence. He experienced accident-related distress and flashbacks, as well as anxiety and self-consciousness about the appearance of his hand.

We secured a course of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to help him address the trauma associated with the accident and improve his confidence. The therapy was delivered with the assistance of a French interpreter, helping our client to fully engage with the treatment.

Following the course of therapy, he experienced a reduction in accident-related distress, flashbacks and anxiety about showing his hand in public.

Planning for our client's future prosthetic needs

We also arranged a specialist prosthetic assessment to consider how prosthetic support could improve the appearance and function of our client's hand, reduce pain and sensitivity and support his independence in the future.

The prosthetic expert identified a range of options, including cosmetic prosthetic fingers, protective devices for the sensitive amputation sites and advanced functional prostheses designed to improve grip strength and dexterity. Specialist upper limb therapy was also recommended.

This evidence allowed us to understand what our client may need in the longer term, rather than focusing solely on the difficulties he was experiencing at the time of the claim.

How did the amputation affect his ability to work?

Before the accident, our client worked as a machine operator. The permanent limitations affecting his dominant hand meant that returning to his previous role was no longer a realistic option.

He was subsequently able to secure alternative employment as a forklift truck driver. While returning to work was an important step, it did not mean that the employment consequences of the accident had disappeared.

The permanent reduction in grip strength and dexterity meant he was no longer suited to heavier manual occupations or roles requiring significant fine hand function. This placed him at a disadvantage in the labour market and reduced the range of work reasonably available to him in the future.

In a serious injury claim, these longer-term employment consequences can be particularly important. The assessment is not simply whether someone has returned to work, but whether their injury has affected their earning capacity, career choices and resilience should their employment circumstances change.

Looking at the long-term impact of the injury

Through the medical, psychological, prosthetic and employment evidence obtained, we were able to demonstrate not only the immediate consequences of the amputation, but how the injury could continue to affect our client's employment, independence, confidence and future opportunities.

The claim ultimately concluded with a £100,000 settlement.

However, an important part of our work was ensuring our client's needs were properly understood and that he could access appropriate rehabilitation and specialist support following an injury that will affect him for the rest of his life.

Janet Lee, accident at work claims specialist at Switalskis, said:

“The loss of two fingers on a dominant hand is a permanent injury, and its significance cannot be measured by the amputation alone. We need to understand what that loss means for the individual – from grip and dexterity to their ability to work, carry out everyday tasks and adjust to a visible change in their appearance.

“Our client showed considerable determination in finding alternative work and engaging with treatment following the accident. By obtaining specialist psychological and prosthetic evidence, we were able to look beyond his immediate injuries and consider the support that could help him maintain his independence and quality of life in the future.

“This case also demonstrates why returning to employment does not necessarily bring the consequences of a serious injury to an end. Our client's employment options have been significantly restricted, and understanding that longer-term disadvantage was an important part of properly assessing his claim.”

How can a serious injury solicitor help following an amputation at work?

When an injury results in permanent disability, understanding the likely future impact is an important part of building the claim.

For our client, this meant obtaining expert evidence addressing the function of his dominant hand, his psychological recovery, his future prosthetic needs and the restrictions he was likely to experience in employment.

It also meant helping him access appropriate treatment. The EMDR therapy, delivered with the support of a French interpreter, helped reduce the distress and anxiety associated with the accident, while specialist prosthetic evidence identified options that could improve function, manage sensitivity and support his independence in the future.

By bringing together this treatment and expert evidence, we were able to build a fuller picture of what our client would need to adapt to his injury and move forward with his life.

Can you make a claim for an amputation caused by machinery at work?

Employers have responsibilities to protect employees from foreseeable risks in the workplace. Where machinery is used, this can include ensuring equipment is appropriately guarded, properly maintained and operated using safe systems of work.

If someone suffers an amputation or another serious injury because workplace machinery was unsafe, appropriate safeguards were absent or reasonable precautions were not taken, they may be able to make an accident at work claim.

A workplace amputation claim may consider much more than the immediate injury. Depending on the circumstances, compensation can take account of permanent disability and symptoms, treatment and rehabilitation needs, loss of earnings, future disadvantage in the labour market, prosthetic needs and the wider impact on someone's independence and quality of life.

Our Serious Injury solicitors support people who have suffered life-changing injuries in workplace and machinery accidents. We can explain whether there may be grounds for a claim, the evidence that may be required and the options available.

Speak to our Serious Injury team about making a workplace amputation or machinery accident claim.