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How Much Compensation Can You Get for a Hand Injury?

If you suffered a hand injury in a car accident, workplace accident, slip and fall accident, or other type of accident for which you were not at fault, you may be able to get compensated for your lost earnings, medical bills, and other damages.  You should contact an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer to learn more about your options for seeking compensation.

Disclaimer: The dollar amounts referenced in this article are based on past results and should not be interpreted to suggest or imply that other cases will have comparable outcomes. Ultimately, a jury will determine the value of your case. Because the circumstances surrounding each injury are unique, each case should be evaluated on an individual basis by a personal injury lawyer.

What Types of Losses Can an Accident Victim Be Compensated For?

We rely on full use of our hands for nearly all tasks we perform throughout the day.  Impaired hand function interferes with virtually every physical action, ranging from simple tasks like turning a doorknob to complex motions like typing at work.  Depending on its location and severity, a wrist or hand injury can be permanently disabling, especially if the injury victim is in a profession that demands fine motor skills.  Surgeons, weavers, mechanics, illustrators, massage therapists, electricians, plumbers, musicians, chefs, and chiropractors all risk losing their careers over a serious hand injury.

medical malpractice

Payments for harms and losses suffered by an injury victim are known as “damages.”  For example, when filing a lawsuit, the plaintiff will “seek damages” in a certain amount (which may or may not be granted by the court).

Depending on the situation, an injury victim can potentially receive compensation for both financial and non-financial damages, respectively called “economic” and “non-economic” damages.  Economic damages are calculable, monetary losses, such as costs associated with hospital stays, medical bills, and time the victim missed from work (both past and anticipated).

Non-economic damages – often referred to as “pain and suffering” – are trickier to valuate simply because they cannot be quantified.  Obviously, there is no objective price tag one can put on the pain of healing from surgery, or the mental anguish of ending a career.  Instead, a jury or other fact finder will determine the value of an injury and other related damages by considering its impact on the victim’s life

PA and NJ Settlements from Finger, Hand, and Wrist Injuries

In case you skipped the disclaimer up top, I’d like to emphasize that the following settlements do not guarantee similar results.  Every situation is different, and your hand injury could be worth less – or considerably more – than the examples provided below.  For personalized assistance, you must consult with an attorney about your specific case.

Keeping that in mind, below I’ve compiled some real-life examples of insurance settlements from Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

  • $2.1 million settlement received by a medical malpractice victim who suffered wrist nerve damage caused by improper needle insertion.
  • $1.35 million settlement received by a New Jersey man whose hand was completely amputated by a defective industrial machine. Product liability is the area of personal injury law that deals with injuries caused by defects and malfunctions.
  • $800,000 settlement received by a man suffered a burn injury caused by an industrial machine.
  • $375,000 settlement received by a woman who suffered a wrist injury in a New Jersey slip and fall accident.
  • $225,000 settlement received by a cyclist who sustained dual wrist injuries after maneuvering to avoid a truck.
  • $170,000 settlement received by a drunk driving victim who needed wrist surgery.
  • $130,000 settlement received by a landscaper who sustained nerve damage while working.
  • $115,000 settlement received by the slip and fall victim who suffered a fractured wrist.
  • $50,000 settlement received by an employee who suffered a partial finger amputation due to a workplace burn injury in Pennsylvania.
  • $32,500 settlement received by a dog bite victim.

personal injury lawyer pa

Call a Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer

If you, your spouse, or one of your family members suffered a serious hand injury, including sprained wrists, broken fingers, broken thumbs, or a hand amputation, you may have a right to be compensated by the person who caused the accident.  Call the law offices of Philadelphia personal injury attorney Brent Wieand at (888) 789-3161 to learn more about your legal options in a free, friendly, completely confidential consultation.  You will never be charged any fees unless Brent makes a recovery for you.

***Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes.  It is not legal advice and should not be used as legal advice.***

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