Hand and wrist injuries attract a wider valuation range than almost any other body part. At the top of the bracket sits total or effective loss of hand function - comparable to an amputation. At the bottom sits a simple digit fracture that heals in six weeks. The Judicial College Guidelines 17th edition (April 2024) reflects that with detailed sub-brackets across three overlapping categories: hand injuries (including fingers and thumb), wrist injuries, and - for the most severe - hand amputations treated in the amputation category.
Dominant vs non-dominant hand is a material JCG factor - particularly in the serious brackets. And hand / wrist injuries interact with occupational claim routes: carpal tunnel syndrome (usually from repetitive work), vibration white finger / HAVS (from vibrating-tool exposure), and occupational dermatitis (from chemical / allergen exposure) all have their own industrial-disease claim paths.
Casibus works with SRA-regulated personal injury specialists on a no win, no fee basis. Every case depends on its evidence.
JCG 17th edition hand injury brackets
Total or effective loss of both hands
Serious, permanent crush injuries rendering both hands useless. Valuation is comparable to very severe single-organ brackets - well into six figures. See amputation claims.
Serious damage to both hands
Permanent cosmetic disability, significant loss of function. Six-figure top of bracket.
Total or effective loss of one hand
Crush injury or traumatic amputation of a single hand. Dominant hand attracts a higher figure. Mid to high five-figures, sometimes into six figures.
Amputation of index / middle / ring fingers
Loss of one or more fingers - valuation depends on which finger(s), whether dominant hand, and residual hand function. Mid to high five-figure brackets.
Serious hand injury
Cases reducing the hand to about 50% capacity. Extensive disability, residual deformity. Typically mid five-figure brackets.
Less serious hand injury
Severe crush causing significant disability, or extensive scarring, with reasonable recovery. Low to mid five-figures.
Moderate and minor hand injury
Crush injuries, deep lacerations with scarring, penetrating wounds and soft-tissue injuries recovering well. Range runs from high four-figures to mid-five-figures depending on residual symptoms.
JCG 17th edition wrist injury brackets
Complete loss of function in wrist
For example, where an arthrodesis (surgical fusion) has been performed. Mid to high five-figures.
Significant wrist injury with permanent disability
Some useful movement remaining but residual stiffness, pain, loss of grip strength. Low to mid five-figures.
Less severe and minor wrist injuries
Minor uncomplicated Colles / distal radius fractures, soft-tissue injury, recovering well. Low four-figures to low five-figures.
Common clinical patterns we see
- Scaphoid fracture - often missed on initial x-ray (a known diagnostic pitfall); delayed diagnosis produces non-union / avascular necrosis and drives up valuation.
Routes to a hand or wrist injury claim
- Work - factory, construction, warehouse crush injury; unguarded machinery (PUWER 1998). See factory accident claims, defective equipment, warehouse accident claims.
Dominant vs non-dominant - why it matters
JCG brackets expressly consider dominance in the more serious hand categories. Loss of function in the dominant hand causes greater functional impact - on work, on daily activities, on hobbies - than the equivalent loss in the non-dominant hand, and JCG brackets adjust accordingly. Expert orthopaedic and (where relevant) hand surgery evidence supports the assessment.
Special damages in hand / wrist claims
- Occupational therapy and hand therapy (private rates).