The UK Occupational Illness Solicitors Network operates nationwide and will deal with a vibration white finger claim using the no win no fee scheme. Compensation is always paid in full with absolutely no deductions and there is no need to finance your claim. If the case is lost you still pay nothing. If after talking to us you decide not to take matters further then you are under no obligation to do so and you will not be charged for our advice.
VWF is a condition caused by the repeated use of vibrating hand-operated machinery, such as hammer drills, sanders, jigsaws and concrete breakers. It is a secondary form of Raynaud's Disease, which is a condition that affects all extreme body parts, such as the fingers, toes, ears and nose. Among the symptoms caused are numbness and tingling in the hand and fingers, as well as crippling pain. The thumb remains mostly unaffected. The symptoms caused by VWF can seem to come and go, but the overall condition will progress and worsen over a period of years. Those who suffer from VWF will almost certainly be able to make a vibration white finger claim for compensation.
VWF is mainly caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures whilst using vibrating hand-operated machinery, but it is also affected by factors such as smoking and stress. The condition cannot be treated, and upon diagnosis the sufferer should immediately cease using any form of vibrating machinery that is operated by hand. Diagnosis of VWF is normally carried out by a specialist in musculoskeletal conditions, and normally a history of using vibrating equipment will be present.
The condition itself is concerned with a reduction in blood flow to the fingers, which occurs when the blood vessels in the hand become restricted. The affected finger initially turns white, or white and blue, and this is often followed by numbness and inflammation. To begin with the finger will turn white and ache for a while before returning to normal. As the condition spreads however, the finger will turn white with increasing regularity. It is at this stage that most people who are affected take medical advice and subsequently consider making a vibration white finger claim against their employers. The sufferer may at this stage also notice that other fingers on the hand begin to turn white and that their hands become clumsy during periods of colder weather.
VWF is a condition associated with industry, and companies have a duty to their staff to protect their health. All vibrating machinery can be measured to determine its safety. Factors taken into consideration include how much the machine vibrates, the temperature that the machine is operated in and the duration of use of the machine. To reduce the risk of conditions like VWF, employers can consider whether a different tool could be used for the task, maintain high levels of machine maintenance and use low vibration tools where possible. Employees can take a pro-active step towards preventing the condition by massaging their fingers to help improve blood circulation, and storing tools correctly so that they do not have cold handles.
