Vibration White Finger and Workers’ Compensation
The Maryland workers’ compensation system often provides benefits after a sudden and traumatic workplace injury, but it can also provide benefits after a worker is diagnosed with an occupational disease that resulted from prolonged exposure or repetitive movements associated with a particular job duty over time. One of those types of injuries or occupational diseases is known as “vibration white finger” or VWF, and it can be debilitating for workers in many different types of industries. Our Maryland workers’ compensation lawyer can tell you more.
Learning More About Vibration White Finger
Vibration white finger is a medical condition related to the blood vessels and nerves in a person’s hands. According to Healthline, it is “a condition that can occur after long-term use of vibrating power tools or heavy machinery,” such as drills, saws, jackhammers, and related tools and machinery. When a person experiences VWF, they can have “tingling and numbness of the hands and fingers,” as well as a “whitening or blanching of the fingertips.” Over time, if use of the vibrating tools does not cease, the condition can worsen.
Healthline emphasizes that this is a vascular condition that impacts a person’s blood vessels and must be taken seriously. Depending on the degree of the condition, it can be debilitating.
In some cases, VWF is linked to Raynaud’s phenomenon and develops “as a form of secondary Raynaud’s,” according to Healthline. The condition is also related to hand-arm vibration syndrome, which also results from long-term work with vibrating power tools or machinery and can lead to permanent numbness in one or more fingers, ongoing VWF episodes, and ongoing muscle weakness.
Common Types of Jobs Where Vibration White Finger Can Occur
What types of jobs or industries are most likely to result in a person being diagnosed with vibration white finger or hand-arm vibration syndrome? The following are common kinds of jobs where these conditions arise due to required work duties and tools used:
- Construction;
- Manufacturing;
- Mechanic work;
- Landscaping;
- Foundry workers; and
- Mining.
While the above are among the more common industries where this type of vascular condition can occur, any job that requires repetitive use of vibrating tools can be a job where this condition arises.
Contact a Maryland Workers’ Compensation Attorney to Discuss Your Options for Seeking Compensation After a Vibration White Finger Diagnosis
Many different types of workplace injuries can result from prolonged exposure to certain substances, materials, or even sensations such as heavy vibrating tools. While these injuries may not occur all of a sudden or appear in the same way as a traumatic injury from a scaffolding or roof fall, for example, they can still be compensable through the Maryland workers’ compensation system. With assistance from an attorney, you can show that your occupational disease arose out of and occurred in the course of employment, and that you are therefore eligible for benefits. To find out more about seeking compensation for VWF or any other related type of work injury, you should get in touch with an experienced Maryland workers’ compensation lawyer at the Law Offices of Steinhardt, Siskind and Lieberman, LLC. Contact our firm today to discuss the details of your work injury and to find out more about how we can assist you.
Source:
healthline.com/health/workplace-health/vibration-white-finger
