Maryland Attorney for Partial Finger Amputations at Work

Many jobs involve inherent safety risks. No matter how careful a person might be, an accident could cause serious injuries, including losing fingers and limbs.

In cases involving finger amputations, the amount of time you may continue receiving benefits depends on which finger was lost. Partial amputations are generally compensated less than a full amputation, although the situation can become more complex when most, but not all, of the finger is amputated. Similarly, compensation is calculated differently when several fingers undergo partial amputation. Amputations are often the result of dangerous work conditions, and power tools and heavy machinery often play a significant role. To prove your claims, we need details from your medical records establishing the extent of the amputation and how it happened.

If you were injured at work and suffered a partial finger amputation, the law has carved out specific rules to follow when filing for Workers’ Compensation. For a free case review, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.

Getting Compensation for a Partial Finger Amputation at Work in Maryland

Losing part of your finger takes a serious physical toll and leaves emotional scars, as amputees must come to terms with a permanent and painful change to their bodies. People who suffer partial finger amputations at work can file Workers’ Compensation claims, and the amount of compensation they are entitled to varies based on the amputation. Our Maryland Workers’ Compensation lawyers can help you assess your case and get started.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Under the law, employers are required to carry Workers’ Compensation insurance for their employees. The Workers’ Compensation system covers all employees. The law defines employees rather broadly, and most workers are likely considered covered employees. According to Md. Code Lab. And Empl. Art. § 9-202, people are presumed to be covered employees unless an employer establishes that the worker is not an employee but an independent contractor.

The Workers’ Compensation system is designed to help injured employees make ends meet while they recover from job-related injuries. If you experienced an injury to your and or fingers that resulted in the partial amputation of one or more fingers, you should report the accident to your employer immediately so a Workers’ Compensation claim can be started. Our Maryland Workers’ Compensation lawyers can help you through the claims process.

Which Finger Was Partially Amputated?

The compensation you receive and how long you can receive benefits depends on the finger or fingers affected by the amputation. According to Md. Code Lab. And Empl. Art. § 9-627(b), the amputation of different fingers is associated with different benefits.

You can collect Workers’ Compensation benefits for 100 weeks if your thumb is amputated. Compensation benefits may be collected for 40 weeks if your first finger is amputated. For the loss of a 2^nd finger, compensation lasts for 35 weeks. The loss of the third finger results in 30 weeks of benefit payments. Finally, losing your 4^th finger leads to 25 weeks of compensation payments.

When going through the Workers’ Compensation process, it is important that we clearly indicate which finger or fingers were amputated. Failure to identify the amputated finger might delay your application and cost you compensation. Talk to our Maryland Workers’ Compensation attorneys about how to make sure your claim contains all necessary details and information.

Multiple Partial Finger Amputations

It can be difficult to determine how much compensation a person should receive based on a finger amputation because amputations are not all the same. Some injured workers might lose the tip of one finger while others lose two phalanxes of two fingers. The law, under Md. Code Lab. And Empl. Art. § 9-627(c), compensation will vary based on the extent of the amputation and if more than one finger is affected.

Under the law, if more than one phalanx of a finger is amputated, the worker may be compensated as if the entire finger had been amputated. If the first phalanx is amputated but nothing more, compensation is for 50% of the compensation that would normally accompany the loss of the entire finger. Essentially, if you lose the tip of your finger, your compensation is only 50% of what it would be if you lost your finger down to the second knuckle or more.

Compensation is different still if you experience a partial amputation of more than one finger. According to the law, if a worker loses at least 2 fingers, partially or totally, compensation is apportioned to the loss of the entire hand. This means that your compensation is based on the entire hand rather than just the fingers, and the more fingers lost, the greater the compensation. However, partial amputation of more than one finger cannot exceed compensation for losing the entire hand.

How Partial Finger Amputations Might Happen at Work in Maryland

To get compensation, we must show that the injuries happened while you were at work. If the injury was caused by something outside the scope of your employment, your injury might not be compensable. For example, if you injured your hand while you were away from work on a lunch break, your injuries might not be covered by Workers’ Compensation.

Injuries to limbs are not uncommon in jobs that deal with power tools and heavy machinery. Construction work, factory jobs, and other vocations involving physical labor are generally regarded as high risk, and losing fingers is possible. Many workers have fingers partially amputated when they are caught in heavy machinery. Equipment that is sharp, heavy, or designed to push, pull, or crush is particularly dangerous.

Even if your fingers are not amputated immediately in the accident, necessary medical treatment might involve amputation. Doctors often try to save as much of the damaged hand and fingers as possible, and amputation might not become necessary for several days or even weeks. All these details must be contained in your claim for Workers’ Compensation benefits, and our Maryland Workers’ Compensation lawyers can help you.

Call Our Maryland Workers’ Compensation Lawyers for Help Now

If you lost part of even just one finger, you might be entitled to collect Workers’ Compensation benefits. Call our Maryland Workers’ Compensation benefits lawyers for help getting your case started. For a free case review, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.