Useful information

• Personal Injury Claim
• Road Accident Claim
• Serious Injury Claim
• Medical Negligence Claim
• Birth Injury Claim
• PIAB Application Guide
• Statute of Limitation
• No Win No Fee Guide

Hand and thumb injury claim

The Personal Injuries Guidelines in Ireland provide a structured framework for assessing compensation for hand, thumb, and finger injuries. These injuries are evaluated based on the severity of damage, resulting disability, impaired function, and cosmetic impact. Compensation ranges vary according to the extent of the injury and its long-term consequences. The guidelines recognise the importance of dominant hand injuries and the significance of functional loss.

Compensation amounts

Source: Personal Injuries Guidelines 

Hand Injuries

1. Total or effective loss of both hands (€200,000 – €350,000)

Applicable where no effective prosthesis can be used.

2. Serious damage to both hands (€120,000 – €180,000)

Resulting in permanent disability and significant loss of function compensation range

3. Total or effective loss of one hand (€100,000 – €150,000)

Includes cases of crushed and surgically amputated hands. Dominant hand loss at upper end of bracket.

4. Serious hand injuries (€50,000 – €100,000)

Encompasses cases of severely reduced hand capacity. Includes reattached fingers resulting in diminished grip and dexterity.

5. Severe fractures to fingers  (€20,000 – €50,000)

Covers partial amputations, deformity, impaired grip, and cosmetic disfigurement. Highest compensation for loss of sensation, scarring, and permanent disability.

6. Less serious hand injury  (€17,000 – €40,000)

Severe crush injuries with impaired function not needing future surgery.

7. Moderate hand injury (€10,000 – €25,000)

Includes crush injuries, penetrating wounds, and deep lacerations. Compensation includes loss of sensation and scarring.

Thumb Injuries

1. Total or partial loss of thumb (€40,000 – €67,500)

Covers cases with reattached thumbs leading to limited function and deformity.

2. Serious injury to thumb  (€20,000 – €40,000)

Involves nerve damage, fractures with impaired grip, and loss of dexterity.

2. Moderate injuries to the thumb (€15,000 – €25,000)

Includes arthrodesis, tendon or nerve damage, resulting in functional impairment and cosmetic deformity.

2. Minor hand, finger, and thumb injuries (€1,000 – €12,000)

Covers fractures, minor scarring, tenderness, and sensitivity with full recovery.

Injuries to Finger

1. Total loss of index finger (€25,000 – €35,000)

2. Partial loss of index finger (€15,000 – €25,000)

Encompasses injury causing disfigurement and grip/dexterity impairment.

3. Other injury or fracture of the index finger (€500 – €15,000)

Suitable when fracture healed but grip remains impaired with pain and potential osteoarthritis.

4. Total loss of middle finger  (€20,000 – €30,000)

5. Partial loss of middle finger  (€12,000 – €20,000)

Addresses injury leading to disfigurement and grip/dexterity impairment.

6. Other Injury or fracture of middle finger  (€500 – €12,000)

Appropriate if fracture healed but grip remains impaired with pain and possible osteoarthritis.

7. Total loss of ring finger  (€17,500 – €27,500)

8. Partial loss of ring finger  (€10,000 – €17,500)

Covers injury causing disfigurement and grip/dexterity impairment.

9. Other injury or fracture of ring finger  (€500 – €10,000)

Suitable when fracture healed but grip remains impaired with pain and potential osteoarthritis.

10. Total loss of little finger  (€12,000 – €25,000)

11. Partial loss of little finger  (€7,500 – €12,000)

Encompasses injury causing disfigurement and grip/dexterity impairment.

12. Other Injury or fracture of little finger  (€500 – €7,500)

Appropriate if fracture healed but grip remains impaired with pain and possible osteoarthritis.

Claim process

1. Seek assistance from injury claim solicitor

Our team of experienced injury solicitors is available to guide clients through the process of making a hand injury claim. Utilising a solicitor can simplify the paperwork and filing required for this process.

2. Apply to the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB)

The next step is to make an application to the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB). If your personal injury claim concerns anything other than medical negligence, some assaults, and some cases of entirely psychological injury, then your claim can be brought through PIAB. Examples of claims that PIAB covers include:

• Workplace injury
• Road traffic accidents
• Catastrophic injury
• Accidents in public places

3. Provide necessary information and documents

Your solicitor will gather evidence, medical reports, and other expert reports, and submit them to PIAB for assessment.

4. Obtain consent for claim assessment

Once the application is made, PIAB will notify the defendant(s) and they must indicate within 90 days if they consent to the assessment of the claim. If consent is given, PIAB will proceed with the assessment. If denied, PIAB will grant authorisation for court proceedings.

5. Claim assessment

The assessment process usually takes about 9 months. If both parties accept PIAB’s assessment, an order to pay will be issued and must be discharged by the defendant(s) within 10 days. If rejected, an authorisation for court proceedings will be granted.

Statute of Limitations

You have two years from the date of the accident within which to issue proceedings. If you are under 18, a separate set of rules apply, and we would recommend you contact our solicitors to discuss these. To learn more about the statute of limitation for a hand and thumb injury claim, click here.

Our team

At Coleman Legal LLP, we understand our client’s circumstances. We understand that because you are reading this part of our website, you have likely been involved in an accident and perhaps have been injured. It’s at times like this that you need the support of an experienced firm that can assist you with the practical issues that now confront you as a result of the fault of another.

For example, you may need to understand your Social Welfare entitlements should you be out of work.  Also, it’s important for you to know that your legal advisers will obtain all of the important Reports that may be required to ensure that you get the best outcome in your case.

We provide a national service and can meet you locally to ensure that you have a voice and access to the best advice and resources that may be needed in your particular case. Our service is about you, the client and we speak plain English with no unnecessary legal jargon. Our teams have dealt with thousands of claims over many years and pride ourselves in our respectful and concerned approach to al of our clients.

Coleman Legal LLP

Solicitors
84 Talbot Street, Dublin 1
D01 YX60

Contact Details

Free Phone: (1800)844104
Fax: (01) 5312727
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.colemanlegalpartners.ie
Online Enquiry Form: Apply