Machinery Accidents: Types of Finger Injuries

Construction and industrial accidents involving machinery remain a significant concern for construction workers. Hand injuries, including finger injuries, account for millions of work-related injuries.

These injuries can have devastating effects on workers' lives, impacting their ability to work and perform daily activities. Understanding the types of finger injuries and your rights under Kentucky workers' compensation law is crucial for all workers in the construction and manufacturing sectors.

The Vulnerability of Hands & Fingers in the Workplace

Our hands are essential tools in nearly every occupation, but they're particularly vulnerable in construction and manufacturing environments. Workers regularly operate power tools, heavy machinery, and complex equipment that can cause severe injuries if proper safety protocols aren't followed or if accidents occur.

Crush Injuries

Machinery accidents can lead to crush injuries, which occur when fingers become caught between two heavy objects or in machinery parts.

These injuries can be particularly severe, often resulting in:

Extensive soft tissue damage: Extensive soft tissue damage occurs when the intense pressure from crushing destroys muscles, tendons, and ligaments, potentially leading to permanent weakness and reduced function in the affected fingers.
Multiple broken bones: Multiple broken bones are common in crush injuries as the tremendous force can shatter or fragment the small, delicate bones in the fingers, often requiring surgical intervention and extensive rehabilitation.
Nerve damage: Nerve damage from crush injuries can result in permanent loss of sensation, chronic pain, and impaired motor function, making it difficult to perform even simple tasks with the affected hand.
Potential long-term mobility issues: Potential long-term mobility issues arise as scar tissue forms and joints stiffen, often limiting finger flexibility and range of motion even after the initial injury has healed.
Blood vessel damage that may affect circulation: Blood vessel damage that occurs during crushing injuries can compromise circulation to the fingertips, potentially leading to tissue death (necrosis) and, in severe cases, necessitating partial or complete amputation of the affected digits.

Finger Smashing & Ligament Injuries

When fingers are caught in machinery or struck by heavy objects, the impact can cause:

Torn or stretched ligaments
Joint damage
Reduced grip strength
Limited range of motion
Chronic pain and stiffness

Finger Amputations

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, machinery accidents accounted for 58% of work-related amputations in 2018; amputations in this data included 6,200 accidents involving various parts of the body, including fingers. Perhaps the most severe type of finger injury, amputations, can occur when fingers become caught in machinery or are severely crushed.

These catastrophic injuries:

Often require immediate emergency care
May involve attempts at reattachment surgery
Can lead to permanent disability

Lacerations

Deep cuts and lacerations from machinery can cause:

Tendon damage: Your flexor tendons run from your forearm across your wrist and palm into your fingers, and they allow you to grasp objects and bend your fingers. Lacerations can require surgical intervention if the laceration is deep.
Nerve injuries: Depending on the injury location and severity, you may experience numbness or tingling in the affected area that can indicate nerve damage.
Impaired movement: As we mentioned, tendon damage can impede movement. The location of the injury itself can also impact movement.
Risk of infection: Lacerations sustained in machinery accidents are particularly susceptible to infection due to the presence of dirt, grease, and other contaminants on machinery. These substances can introduce harmful bacteria into the wound, increasing the risk of infection if the wound is not properly cleaned and treated.

Overuse Syndrome

Yes, fingers can indeed hurt from overuse. Repetitive strain injuries are a common concern for construction workers who use vibrating machinery.

While not as dramatic as acute injuries, repetitive strain injuries from prolonged machinery operation can lead to:

Carpal tunnel syndrome
Tendonitis
Reduced grip strength
Chronic pain
Limited mobility

What Leads to Finger-Related Machinery Accidents?

Common forms of workplace negligence that contribute to finger injuries include:

Equipment-related negligence, like the following, can lead to serious injuries:
- Failure to maintain machinery properly
- Removing or modifying safety guards like hand protection
- Using damaged or worn equipment
- Inadequate inspection protocols
- Poor repair documentation
Training-related negligence, like the following, can lead to workers’ injuries:
- Insufficient safety training
- Lack of proper supervision
- Inadequate communication of safety protocols
- Failure to enforce safety rules
- Missing or outdated safety manuals
Environmental negligence, like the following, can be dangerous:
- Poor lighting conditions
- Cluttered workspaces
- Inadequate ventilation
- Slippery surfaces
- Improper material storage
Administrative negligence can include:
- Unrealistic production quotas
- Insufficient rest breaks
- Inadequate staffing levels
- Poor accident reporting procedures
- Lack of safety audits

Get Help with Your Finger Injury Workers Compensation Claim

For workers who have suffered finger injuries in machinery accidents, understanding your rights and the available benefits is crucial. The attorneys at Kentucky Injury Law Center have decades of legal experience representing injured workers. Let us help you navigate the workers’ compensation process, from filing your claim to navigating the investigation, negotiation, hearing, and appeal process (if needed).

We help clients who have suffered finger smashing and other finger-related injuries file to obtain:

Don't hesitate to seek both medical care and legal guidance to ensure you receive the support you need during your recovery journey.

Call (270) 423-0023 for experienced counsel in your workers’ compensation claim.