Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), also known as “white finger,” is a condition resulting from prolonged exposure to vibration. Employees who work with vibrating tools and experience continuous use of vibrating handheld machinery, like grinders, polishers, power saws and sanders, are especially prone to developing this disorder. This can occur in manufacturing, construction and other manual jobs. If you work construction, or work on an assembly line, hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) could keep you from working at the job you have held for years.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recognizes that (HAVS) can be a serious problem in the workplace. Early symptoms may include:

• Intermittent (comes and goes) tingling (needles and pins sensation) of one or more fingers
• Blanching (white-color) of fingertips
• Pain in fingers that subside in a short time

Later symptoms may include:

• Loss of sense of touch or numbness
• Blanching of entire fingers
• Loss of grip strength in hand and fingers
• Severe pain in fingers
• Carpal tunnel syndrome or pressure on nerves in a wrist.
• Pain and loss of strength in arms
• Loss of finger dexterity or coordination

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Research indicates that treatment for HAVS is not always effective in most cases.

Legal Help With Your Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome Workers’ Comp Claim

Without the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve from suffering hand-arm vibration syndrome at work, you could be facing large medical bills and be left without income for your family. If you are suffering from hand-arm vibration syndrome from work, you may be entitled to Permanent Total Disability (PTD).

If you have questions about your workers’ comp claim, contact the North Carolina workers’ compensation attorneys at the law firm of Hemmings & Stevens, PLLC today. We offer free initial consultations and work on a contingent fee basis, which means there are no fees unless we make a recovery for you. You can call us at 919.277.0161 or contact us online.

This article about hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) in North Carolina workers’ compensation claims is for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. You may need to seek the advice of a workers’ compensation attorney at the law firm of Hemmings & Stevens, PLLC that has experience in these matters, if you are suffering from hand-arm vibration syndrome.