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General information only. This site does not provide legal advice. Always consult a qualified solicitor.
In-depth guide · Last reviewed June 2026

Hand injury at work: compensation and claims in the UK

What types of hand and finger injury happen at work?

Lacerations, crush injuries, amputations, avulsions/degloving, fractures, burns, vibration-related conditions

What does PUWER 1998 require for machinery guarding?

Guards must be fixed, adjustable or interlocked; must not be easily bypassed; employer must maintain them; reg 11 specifically on dangerous parts

What PPE should be provided?

Gloves appropriate to the risk — PPE Regs 1992/2022

How is a hand injury claim valued?

JCG 17th edition ranges: Index finger amputation: £14,900–£27,330 Loss of two fingers: £27,330–£47,050 Loss of all fingers: £74,800–£91,520 Serious hand injury (not amputation): £29,000–£61,070 Minor hand injury (full recovery): £4,370–£6,610

Amputation and serious hand injuries — what else can you recover?

Prosthetics costs, care, future earnings impact, retraining

What if the machinery guard was broken, removed or bypassed?

PUWER reg 11 breach; employer cannot argue "worker removed the guard" if they did not enforce safe working

What evidence supports the claim?

PUWER maintenance records, training records, guard inspection logs, RIDDOR report, photographs

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Where did the accident happen?

Pick the setting closest to your situation.

Sources

  1. Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) reg 11
  2. PPE at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended 2022)
  3. Judicial College Guidelines, 17th edition (2024)
  4. HSE — Safe use of machinery (hse.gov.uk/workequipmentmachinery)

This guide is editorial information about UK law. It is not legal advice and does not create a solicitor–client relationship. For advice on your circumstances, speak to a regulated personal-injury solicitor.