What is Vibration White Finger?

Vibration White Finger is also known as ‘Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome’, ‘Dead Finger’, or ‘Raynaud Syndrome’. It is an industrial injury caused by the continuous use of vibrating machinery.

Types of machinery associated with VWF include:

• pneumatic hammers & drills
• sanders
• disc cutters
• drills
• grinders
• Chainsaws
• Power mowers
• Polishers

The natural response when using heavy vibrating machinery is to grip it tightly, but when someone is using this kit for a long period of time it can actually cause a lot of damage to the nerves and the muscles in the wrists.

What are the signs of VWF?

The symptoms of Vibration White Finger are pain, numbness and tingling in the hands and fingers. A lack of blood supply causes the fingers to turn white. Fingers swell and throb. Those who begin to suffer from VWF will find that they lose strength and flexibility in the affected hand. The condition is exacerbated by cold weather, smoking cigarettes, and stress. VWF can have a huge effect on daily live. The condition is likely to become permanent if the sufferer continues to use vibrating hand tools over a prolonged period.

How long have I got to make a VWF claim?

In most personal injury claims you have three years from the date of accident or incident within which to start a claim for personal injury compensation. A person who starts to suffer from Vibration White Finger has 3 years from when they first knew, or ought to have known, that they were suffering from Vibration White finger. In most cases ‘date of knowledge’ will run from when a doctor diagnoses VWF.

If you have had a VWF diagnosis it is important to make sure that a claim is brought within the relevant time limit or else the claim will barred. Instructing expert vibration white finger solicitors like the industrial disease lawyers at Bridge McFarland LLP in Hull, should be the first step you take, as soon as you find out that you have HAVS/VWF or even if you only suspect that you have it.

Leanne Keating and James Burrell from Bridge McFarland LLP have many years’ experience of dealing with vibration white finger claims. Call them now on 01482 320 620 or e-mail info@bmcf.co.uk to set up a no-obligation legal consultation. In most cases your claim will be handled on a No Win, No Fee basis. This means that if you don’t win the case, then you won’t have anything to pay.