Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome
Compensation Claims

If hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) has set you back, we'll help you move forward

Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is a debilitating condition caused by prolonged use of vibrating power tools and machinery. It can lead to significant health issues, including nerve, joint, and muscle damage, affecting the hands and arms.

If you've developed HAVS as a result of your work environment, we can help.

If your injuries were caused by someone else's actions or negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation for medical and disability expenses, modifications in work practices, and potentially a change in your profession.

You can make a No Win, No Fee compensation claim with the help and support of a personal injury solicitor.

What to consider when you claim for HAVS

• Employers must carry out regular risks assessments to manage vibration risks.
• Your employer must also take extra precautions to protect higher-risk workers, including more breaks, job rotation, and PPE.
• If your employer failed to take adequate precautions, and you developed HAVS, you will have a stronger claim.
• There is a 3-year time limit to claim, from the date you discovered your injury was caused by your work.
• Your solicitor will gather evidence to prove your illness is connected to exposure to vibrating tools or machinery at your job.
• Your compensation is based on how serious your injury is, along with lost earnings, expenses and ongoing care costs. Check our compensation calculator to see how much you could claim.
• You can start a claim with no win, no fee.

You are not alone

Claims for hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) are common in jobs where workers frequently use vibrating tools and machinery. This includes sectors like construction, mining and manufacturing.

The vast majority of HAVS claims are caused by the regular use of of equipment like jackhammers, chainsaws, and pneumatic drills, all of which can cause this condition over time.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimates that nearly 2 million people in the UK are at risk of developing HAVS.

300 new cases of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome were assessed for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) in 2022 (hse.gov.uk).

If you decide to make a HAVS claim, your personal injury solicitor will take you through every step of the claims process. Your solicitor will be with you until you win your claim and get the compensation you need to move forward.

If you are looking for information on hand pain symptoms and treatment, visit: hand pain (nhs.uk).

How much compensation can I claim for HAVS?

Your compensation for hand-arm vibration syndrome will vary according to:

• the seriousness of your illness,
• the influence of your illness on your life and work capabilities,
• any financial losses or costs you have incurred due to your illness.

General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA). Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College (judiciary.uk) and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.

Special damages will be awarded for any lost earnings, loss of commission or bonuses, and loss of pension contributions. It may also be possible to claim for loss of future earnings, if the medical prognosis establishes that you won't be able to work for any period in the future.

These damages will also cover the cost of any medical procedures you might need to treat or recover from your HAVS such as removal from exposure, pain medication, physiotherapy and assistive devices.

Read more:

A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim

How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?

Average Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome compensation payouts

The following Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome payouts refer to the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, 17th Edition by the Judicial College (oup.com).

These tables are used by solicitors or by the courts as a starting point when calculating your compensation.

Please note: these average figures represent general damages only, and do not include any element of special damages (e.g. lost wages).

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome

Am I entitled to make a hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) claim?

Yes, you are entitled to make an injury claim for HAVS, if:

• you were injured in the last 3 years, and;
• another person was responsible, and;
• that person owed you a legal duty of care.

Use our injury claim calculator to find out if you can claim. Or you can call 0800 376 1001 to speak to a specialist advisor. Find out in minutes if you have a claim.

Is a claim still possible if I am partly liable?

Ascertaining who is liable for an accident is not always straightforward and can often involve blame on both sides.

In our 2025 Work Injury Claimant Survey, 24.47% of injured workers said they either were unsure of which party was responsible, or believed they were partially responsible for their injuries.

You could still have a valid claim if you were partly to blame for your injury. Employers may be also be held responsible under vicarious liability for injuries caused by employees, making a claim possible if you or a colleague caused your injury or illness.

Read more:

Can I claim if I feel I was partly responsible for my accident?

How long do I have to start a hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) claim?

An injury claim will usually need to be made within 3 years of the date or your accident or injury.

You may still be able to claim compensation if you were injured by another's negligence and you only discovered it later. Generally, the clock starts ticking from the date you were diagnosed or became aware of your injury.

For injured children, a claim can be started by a parent or guardian at any time before they turn 18. Thereafter, the injured individual has until their 21st birthday to make a claim on their own.

Symptoms of hand-arm vibration syndrome

HAVS is the result of damage to the nerves, blood vessels and joints of the hand, wrist and arm., and symptoms include:

• Intense tingling and numbness in the fingers
• Loss of feeling sensation in the fingers
• Loss of strength in the hands
• Tips of fingers turn white, then red, in cold and wet weather and are painful on recovery (this is also known as Vibration White Finger)

Making a HAVS claim

Under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 employers have a responsibility to protect their employees. The Regulations place a duty on employers to minimise the risks associated with hand-operated vibration power tools and machinery.

Under these regulations, employers should take steps to reduce the risk to employees of developing HAVS, such as:

• Giving workers regular breaks from using vibrating tools and machinery
• Providing protective anti-vibration gloves
• Maintaining a reasonable workplace temperature
• Providing the right tools for the task
• Providing training on the correct use of vibration tools and machinery

If an employer is proven to have breached the regulations, they may be liable to pay compensation.

HAVS claims: employer liability explained

HAVS can often lead to a claim against the employer. Click the icon below for more information.

Work accidents Other accidents

Sources

Author:
Chris Salmon, Director

About the author

Chris Salmon is a co-founder and Director of Quittance Injury Claims. Chris has played key roles in the shaping and scaling of a number of legal services brands and is a regular commentator in the legal press.