Hand & Finger Injuries

Hand & Finger Injuries

55 year old man injured both hands and arms while performing repetitive job duties at his place of employment. Our client’s initial medical treatment consisted of two cortisone injections. He was then referred to an orthopedist. He was diagnosed with a bicep tendon rupture and posterior interosseous nerve syndrome. An MRI later showed a complete rupture of the biceps tendon. After this diagnosis he received a cortisone injection with Lidocaine to alleviate the inflammation. He experienced pain in both arms that spread to his hands and all of which kept him awake at night. He was then referred to a hand surgeon. The hand surgeon diagnosed tennis elbow and radial tunnel syndrome, and for which he prescribed acupuncture therapy. Decompression of the nerve on the right interosseous nerve was performed by the surgeon. Scar tissue was also removed. The surgeon gave him exercises to do post-op. The case settled for $16,101.02, representing 12.5% (29.375 weeks) loss of his right arm; 4% (9.40 weeks) loss of his left arm; $3,500.00 in disputed TTD compensation; and approximately 2.347% (11.73 weeks) loss of person as a whole. We fought to recover all monies necessary to pay all the medical charges and make sure that all the various body parts were fairly compensated, and not just the primary ones. -GW

38 year old man suffered significant and permanent injuries to his right hand at work when it became entangled in a grinding stone, leaving a deep laceration between his thumb and index finger.  The initial evaluation at the ER was that of a complex laceration of the dorsal aspect of the right thumb and first web with possible extensor pollicis brevis injury, extensor pollicis longus laceration, radial sensory nerve injury and intrinsic muscle injuries.  The emergency physician completed a thorough irrigation and provisional closure of the wound and the next day he underwent a second surgery.  The operative report noted numerous tissues and structures that were affected by the injury.  Our client had a period of time of immobilization while the nerve and tendon repairs attempted to take.  Following that, he progressed to fine and simple therapeutic movements of his fingers, and was then released to return to work on a trial basis.  He still now has flexion and extension problems at his wrist, thumb and index finger that adversely affect the function of his hand.  This case settled for $31,281.98 representing approximately 30% loss of his right hand. 

51 year old man sustained three different injuries from repetitive trauma at work.  His first injury was to both his wrists.  He was diagnosed with carpal tunnel and underwent a carpal tunnel release on both wrists.  He also received injections to his left middle finger.  His second injury was to both shoulders for which he first received injections with no pain relief.  He was diagnosed with impingement syndrome and a partial rotator cuff tear on his left shoulder and bicep tendon pathology and a rotator cuff tear on the right shoulder.  He first underwent surgery on his left shoulder which included a left shoulder arthroscopy; debridement of a partial rotator cuff and glenoid labral tear; and an open decompression and bursectomy.  He next underwent a right shoulder arthroscopy; open repair with biceps tenotomy and subsequent tendonesis; open decompression and a rotator cuff repair.  His final injury was of his right elbow.  He underwent an ultrasonic guided percutaneous tenotomy of the common extensor tendon for that, followed with a regular regimen of conservative care and therapy.  This case was settled for $81,000.00 representing 15% PPD of each wrist, including a credit for a prior settlement of 7.5% on the right wrist and 5% on the left wrist; 17.5% of the right elbow/arm, including a prior credit of 3%; 10% loss of body as a whole relative to the right shoulder and 15% body as a whole loss relative to the left shoulder. 

47 year old woman suffered injuries to both her hands and wrists from repetitive trauma at work.  Her doctor initially treated her conservatively with medications, bracing and self-directed hand therapy.  She was later diagnosed with mild to moderate left and right carpal tunnel syndrome and ultimately underwent bilateral carpal tunnel releases.  She has returned to work but her job is hand intensive and causes her pain.  This case settled for $15,001.43, representing 12.5% of the right hand/wrist and 12.5% of the left hand/wrist.

– See more at: https://hassakislaw.wpengine.com/hand-wrist-injuries/#sthash.zQQxiWRk.dpuf

35 year-old male suffered repetitive traumas to his wrists in the course of his employment as a laborer for a tire manufacturer. Multiple doctors diagnosed our client with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. After conservative treatment failed, a surgeon performed right and left carpal tunnel releases. His employer refused to pay temporary total disability payments while our client remained off work. His employer disputed the nature and extent of his disabilities and his past temporary total disability benefits. Our firm settled his case for $29,935.74, representing 15% permanent partial disability in his left hand, 15% permanent partial disability in his right hand and unpaid temporary total disability benefits. – JW.

48 year-old female injured her right hand when she slipped and fell while working as a nurse.Her doctor diagnosed an intra-articular, comminuted fracture with displacement of her fifth metacarpal in her right hand.  Her doctor prescribed pain medication and recommended surgery. A surgeon performed an open reduction pinning of her fractured metacarpal. Thereafter, her doctor recommended and our client completed (18) therapy sessions. Her doctor placed her off work for 4 weeks for her treatment, during which time she was paid $372.82 weekly in temporary total disability benefits. Her employer disputed the nature and extent of her disability and responsibility for any future medical treatment. We secured a $12,500.00 settlement, representing 20.6% permanent partial disability of her right hand based on her modest earnings rate, as well as all unpaid past medical expenses. – CN.

25 year-old woman suffered repetitive trauma to her left and right wrists due to her employment as a case picker in a distribution facility. She underwent carpal tunnel surgeries on both of her hands. Our firm settled the case for $18,165.48 based on 19% permanent partially disability in her right wrist and 3% in her left wrist, despite the fact that her case was heavily disputed for several months prior to settlement. – LR.

71 year-old woman injured herself at work while transporting patients. She suffered injuries to her right hand and wrist. A doctor determined she fractured her right distal radius and recommended surgery to repair this fracture. An orthopedic surgeon performed a closed reduction and casting of the right distal radius, and our client completed postoperative therapy. She remained off work for 9 weeks. After the employer fully denied that she required treatment at all for her injury, our firm secured recovery for $15,393.45, representing 25% permanent partially disability in her right hand. – CG.

45 year-old woman sustained repetitive injuries to her hands and arms from her work as a tire assembler. A doctor diagnosed her with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and performed surgery on both of her hands. She eventually returned to work. Our firm secured a $29,586.43 settlement based on a 17.5% permanent partial disability in both hands. This settlement was accomplished only after the employer’s contest of the case as to the nature and extent of her injuries. – IP.

48 year-old woman sustained injuries to her left and right hands, left thumb, left elbow, and her neck during the course of her employment as a case picker. Her doctor diagnosed her with bilateral carpel tunnel syndrome and a disk herniation at C4-5. Thereafter, she underwent a left thumb trapeziectomy, a left ulnar nerve transposition, and a neck fusion at C4-5. Her employer challenged the nature and extent of her permanent partial disability and the reasonableness and necessity of her medical expenses. Our firm obtained a settlement for $158,239.02 representing 30% permanent partial disability of her body, 20% in her right hand, 17.5% in her left hand, 25% in her left arm and 65% in her left thumb. – SR.

43 year-old female suffered repetitive injuries to wrists and elbows in the course her employment after performing the same job for approximately 8 ½ years. She was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists and cubital tunnel syndrome in both elbows. She underwent bilateral endoscopic carpal tunnel releases on each wrist and cubital tunnel releases on each elbow. The case was settled after substantial negotiations with the respondent’s attorney for the amount of $75,082.62, representing 20% permanent partial disability in her right hand 18% in her left hand, 21.75% in her left arm and 23% inher right arm, and all at her modest average weekly wage of $438.11. The employer paid all reasonable and necessary medical bills.

30 year-old male concrete worker was diagnosed with severe carpal tunnel syndrome in the right hand and chronic left carpal tunnel syndrome. He underwent a right carpal tunnel surgical release and thereafter continued to experience increased numbness in the right thumb, index, middle finger and radial half of the ring finger. In addition he noticed increased swelling, stiffness and pain in his right hand and wrist and sought a second opinion. His new doctor found a severe right median nerve neuropathy. In addition, there was severe scarring and adhesions around the median nerve and extensive synovitis around the flexor tendons at the level of the carpal tunnel in the wrist. The doctor performed a second right carpal tunnel release which included the removal of scar tissue and a sural nerve graft. Approximately one year later, the client had a left carpal tunnel release surgery performed. The concrete company disputed his case as to nature and extent of injury, medical causation and temporary total disability benefits, among other things. Our law firm was able to reach a compromised settlement for our client in the amount of $191,321.87, even with his modest average weekly wage of $401.38. The client’s reasonable and necessary medical expenses were paid in full in addition to the settlement amount.

43 year-old female injured herself while performing repetitive work duties. She was diagnosed with severe chronic right carpal tunnel syndrome and right ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. Plaintiff was initially treated with bracing and medications, but was subsequently injured two months later. Again she was given medications and physical therapy. She has lost most strength in her right arm, and experiences pain and numbness on a regular basis. After several offers were presented, the case finally settled for $21,643.78 given this worker’s modest earning.

58 year-old female manufacturing operations worker was injured from forceful job efforts.Petitioner initially complained of pain in her right hand, wrist and thumb due to applying force in the course of her job and alleged aggravation of pre-existing degenerative changes and development of Dequervain’s tenosynovitis. Our client received temporary total disability benefits the entire time she remained off work. Ultimately, our firm secured a $13,201.74 settlement, representing 18.75% permanent partial disability in her right hand and medically related mileage and a hold harmless agreement from her health insurance carrier.

36 year-old female manufacturing assembly operator sustained injuries to her left wrist and hand while testing filters for her employer. Petitioner was diagnosed with persistent De Quervain’s tenosynovitis of the first dorsal compartment of the left wrist and skin and subcutaneous tissue atrophy of the radial side of the left wrist as a result of an injection received.Initially, she was treated conservatively with injections, splinting, work restrictions and medications. A surgical release of the severe De Quervain tenosynovitis of the first dorsal compartment of the left wrist was subsequently performed and severe atrophy was noted. Nerve conduction study subsequently performed revealed left superficial radial neuropathy with axonal and distal demyelinating features and evidence of a left distal medical neuropathy at the wrist. She underwent a left open carpal tunnel release with resection and burying of the nerve and extension osteotomy. In the end, our firm obtained a settlement of $21,447.81, representing her permanent partial disability, medical benefits and medically related mileage. – AH.

38 year-old male fabricator suffered injuries at his place of employment due to repetitive traumas to both hands. Petitioner was initially treated conservatively with night splints bilaterally while sleeping and medication. After conservative treatment failed, recalcitrant bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was diagnosed and endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery was recommended and performed on his right and left hand. We secured a settlement for $41,610.30, which represents 20% permanent partial disability in his right and left hands, disputed temporary total disability benefits in the amount of $1,500.00 and unpaid medical benefits, and we negotiated a hold harmless agreement as to any major medical insurance carrier. – TA.

34 year-old male was injured due to repetitive trauma as a factory laborer. Petitioner suffered repetitive injuries to both hands as the result of his job duties. He had performed the same job for more than 5 years which required repetitive pushing, pulling and reaching with both hands and arms. He was diagnosed with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. We negotiate a settlement for $32,646.00, representing 20% permanent partial disability in his right hand and 19.25% in his left hand and outstanding medical benefits. This settlement was almost exactly our initial demand. – CS.

41 year-old female was injured while performing repetitive movements in the course of  her employment. Petitioner was a receiver checker when she sustained these repetitive trauma injuries. Our firm secured a $69,026.00 settlement representing 22.5% permanent partial disability in her right hand, 20% in her right arm, 17% in her left hand and 20% in her left arm and reimbursement for medically related mileage.  – HE.

45 year-old male construction worker injured both hands when he fell off a roof in the course of work. He sustained bilateral distal radius fractures to both hands and wrists. This worker returned to his same type of employment but has modified the performance of some of his duties after the wrists were immediately splinted. Thereafter, a cast was placed on both wrists which immobilized his wrists. Our firm settled his case for $16,300.00, representing 33% permanent partial disability in his left hand and 32.5% in his right hand  based on his honest wage rate. – SA.

59-year-old female factory worker repetitive work duties caused her to develop mild carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands and wrists. She was able to avoid surgical intervention and with considerable efforts between the client and our firm, her job duties were changed and are now much less physically demanding. We negotiated a settlement for $14,000.00, which represented 10% permanent partial disability in her right hand, 9% in her left hand and unpaid medical benefits as well as a reimbursement for medically related mileage. – BM.

25-year-old female was injured while working as a manufacturing assembler. After testing showed positive Tinel’s signs bi-laterally, she was diagnosed with bi-lateral carpal tunnel syndrome.Conservative treatment consisting of splinting, medications, injections and rest failed to resolve her symptoms, and as a result she underwent both right and left carpal tunnel releases. Our firm settled her case on the eve of trial for $29,820.77, representing 16.5% permanent partial disability in her right hand, 15% in her left hand and 5% in her left arm with additional monies for medically related mileage, unpaid medical benefits and temporary total disability benefits. – SG.

48 year-old dedicated employee developed right and left carpal tunnel after performing repetitive work duties for more than 25 years. Petitioner’s duties included dumping buckets of water into a parts washer pit and racking back plates into a hopper. Despite surgery and multiple injections, petitioner continues to suffer from pain in her knuckle while performing her job duties, and she has no grip with her thumb creating an inability to consistently maintain a grasp on even light objects. We negotiated a settlement for $18,100.00, representing 17.5% permanent partial disability in left hand and 15% in her right hand, plus unpaid medical benefits. – KM.

33 year-old fast food worker was injured during the course of his employment. Her job entailed years of lifting, bagging, cleaning and pouring items at the restaurant. She sustained injuries to her hands, wrists and arms from repetitive trauma to these areas. Nerve conduction studies were performed on both of her wrists and revealed mild median motor neuropathy at the right wrist, right carpal tunnel syndrome and evidence of mid sensory ulnar motor neuropathy at the proximal Guyon canal bilaterally. She was diagnosed with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and later underwent bilateral carpal tunnel release procedures to correct her problems. Our firm secured a settlement for $22,002.14, representing 20% permanent parital disability in her right hand, 18.5% in her left hand and 2% in each arm, plus her unpaid medical benefits. – CMH.

46 year-old woman was injured during the course of work as a case picker. She sustained repetitive, traumatic injuries to her wrists and elbows after years of lifting, stacking and pulling heavy objects. She was diagnosed with bilateral carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndromes and was recommended for surgery. Our client underwent left cubital tunnel and carpal tunnel releases, z-plasty slide reconstruction, anconeus epitrochlea tenotomy and application of a long arm splint. The procedure was later repeated on her left arm and hand. She was off work for a total of 19 weeks for her injuries, surgeries and recovery during she time she paid temporary total disability benefits. Our firm obtained a settlement for $75,082.62, representing 20% permanent partial disability in her right hand, 18% in her left hand, 21.75% in her left arm and 23% in her right arm, unpaid medical benefits and a reimbursement for medical related muleage. – ML.

60-year-old woman was injured during the course of her work as a split case picker due to repetitive traumatic injuries to her hands, elbows and arms. She was diagnosed with bilateral cubital tunnel and carpal tunnel syndromes. She initially underwent physical therapy treatments and wore braces; however, these conservative treatment measures did not ease her problems. Surgeries were thereafter performed in the nature of bilateral cubital tunnel and bilateral carpal tunnel releases. We helped secure temporary total disability benefits for our client during her time off work as well as payment of her medical expenses, despite both being repeatedly denied by the employer’s insurance carrier. After 12 weeks off work, she was able to return to full work duties. Our firm secured a $92,500.00 settlement, which was roughly $5,000.00 more than the respondent previously offered, on the eve of trial. The settlement represented 17.5% permanent partial disability in her left hand, 20% in her right hand, 22.5% in her left arm and 22% in her right arm. – KW.

41 year-old man injured both of his hands from repetitive fabrication duties on the job. He was diagnosed with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome to both hands. He underwent surgery on first his right, and then his left hands to alleviate the recalcitrant bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. Our client was off of work for seven 7 months before he was able to return to work. His employer would not pay his temporary total disability benefits while he was off work and disputed the nature and extent of his injuries. Eventually, we negotiated a $41,610.30 settlement, representing 20% permanent partial disability in his right hand and 20% in his left hand, plus compensation for all temporary total disability benefits and medical benefits. – TEA.

49 year-old man was diagnosed with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome after years of repetitive trauma to his hands and wrists. He had worked as a case packer, and due to the extent of his injuries, he had to undergo carpal tunnel release surgeries on both his right and left hands. The case was settled for $24,366.63 representing 20% permanent partial disability in his right hand and 18% in his left hand along with past and future medical benefits and past and future total temporary disability benefits. – RMD.

73 year-old woman was harmed during the course of her work from repetitive traumas to her right and left hands. She was diagnosed with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, forcing her to remain off work to be treated. No surgeries were necessary. A settlement was reached for $21,626.81, representing 10% permanent partial disability in her left hand and 12% in her right hand. In addition, the employer contributed $18,116.00 to Medicare Set Aside for her future work-related medical needs. – VW.

55 year-old man’s hand was lacerated at work when laying pipe. Upon his arrival at the emergency room, he was immediately transferred to a specialty hand center for surgery. His surgery consisted of exploration, irrigation, debridement of the skin and subcutaneous tissues of the left index, middle ring and small fingers, A2 pulley repair reconstruction of the left index finger, microsurgical repair for the radial digital nerve and artery of the left index finger and Zone 4 extensor digitorum communis repair for the left middle, left ring and left small fingers. A laceration repair of the left index, middle, ring and small fingers were completed and a short arm splint was applied. After the surgery, our client improved but also developed regional pain syndrome, swelling in his hand and continued pain at the distal ulna. He underwent physical therapy and medications, and despite these treatments, he still experienced stiffness and swelling in his left hand and wrist. Our firm reached a settlement in the amount of $38,000.00, representing 30% permanent partial disability in his left hand, temporary total disability benefits and a medically related mileage reimbursement. MLE.

43 year-old woman was injured cutting and stocking boxes during the course of work. Due to the severe pain in her right hand, she was taken to the emergency room and placed on light one-handed duty. She was prescribed physical therapy and instructed to wear arm splints during the night and day. Her physician conducted a nerve test, which showed early carpal tunnel symptoms. As a result, our client underwent a carpal tunnel release surgery on her right hand and despite her recovery, lost strength and utility in her hand. Our firm secured a settlement for $14,167.31, representing 20% permanent partial disability in her right hand, temporary total disability benefits and her medical benefits.

43 year-old woman sustained repetitive traumatic injuries to both her hands and right shoulder during the course of work as an assembly line worker. She was diagnosed with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and rotator cuff tendinopathy and impingement at the AC joint of the right shoulder due to bone spurs on the distal clavicle. She underwent a right endoscopic carpal tunnel release and then later a left endoscopic carpal tunnel release with an excision of a volar wrist ganglion cyst. She also underwent acromioplasty and distal clavicle excision of the right shoulder and upon recovery was released back to work. She was off work for approximately 26 weeks. Her employer disputed whether she sustained injuries to the degree alleged and objected to paying temporary total disability benefits and medical treatment. Our firm secured a settlement for $52,500.00 representing 20% permanent partial disability in her right hand, 20% in her left hand and 17.5% in right arm, plus a medically related mileage reimbursement and unpaid medical benefits. – JG.

 

————————————————————————————————————————————-

We work on a contingency fee basis. We do not get paid unless you win.

Call us today for a free consultation at 800-553-3125 or e-mail us or tell us about your case.


Down to earth, knowledgeable, handled my legal issue in a timely fashion. 😎

- William Rauen

I was referred to Hassakis & Hassakis by a past client and was assured I would be treated right. From day one all of their staff were extremely prof …

- jose delgado

I would like to say that Shane Carnine has been the best lawyer that I've had the pleasure to deal with. Shane always returned any phone call or ema …

- Matt Canon

View All Testimonials

Law Firm Recent Updates

view all articles

Keep up with the latest firm news and personal injury law insights from the Hassakis & Hassakis Southern Illinois personal injury lawyers trusted by Illinois families for generations.

Choosing a personal injury lawyer to represent you in your Southern Illinois car accident, workers' compensation, medical malpractice, or other type of injury case is no minor decision. You need a responsive, compassionate, knowledgeable team you can trust. Hassakis & Hassakis is that team.

Discover why thousands of Southern Illinois injury victims and their families have counted on Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C.'s personal injury lawyers to help them recover. Learn more about who we are and what we do by checking out our latest updates.