Hand Injuries
The hand consists of 27 bones (including the 8 bones of the wrist) and other associated structures including nerves, arteries, veins, muscles, tendons, ligaments, joint cartilage, and fingernails. According to the Safety and Health Council of North Carolina, hand injuries constitute 20% of the workplace injuries that result in disability. Common types of workplace hand injuries are:
- Lacerations (63%)
- Crushes (13%)
- Avulsions or Detachments (8%)
- Punctures (6%)
- Fractures (5%)
Work in any occupation may result in an injury to the hand. However, certain trades such as construction, manufacturing, meat packing, and assembly have higher incidences of hand injuries. Serious hand injuries often require surgical treatment. Serious or complex hand injuries should be treated by an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the treatment of the hand and upper extremity.
Foot/Ankle Injuries
The human foot has 26 bones. The foot consists of three parts: the hindfoot, the midfoot, and the forefoot. The hindfoot consists of the talus, which attaches to the leg and the calcaneus, which forms the heel. The midfoot consists of 5 small bones: the navicular, cuboid, and 3 cuneiforms. The forefoot contains 19 bones. The big toe consists of 2 phalanges and the other toes each have 3 phalanges.
Foot injuries are also common in the workplace. Some of the most frequent causes of foot/ankle injuries are slipping, falling and blunt force trauma (crushes). Foot/ankle injuries can be especially difficult to treat and extremely disabling for anyone whose job requires frequent standing and/or walking. Serious or complex foot/ankle injuries should be treated by an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the treatment of the foot/ankle.
Attorney John A. Hedrick has over 20 years of experience with Workers’ Compensation Law in Raleigh and throughout North Carolina. The Law Office of John A. Hedrick, PLLC provides every client with the personalized attention, guidance and legal counsel they deserve.
If you have suffered a hand or foot/ankle injury you should consult with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. Please contact us by telephone at 919-977-0804, email us at john@johnhedricklaw.com or complete our Free Claim Evaluation form.
From our office in Raleigh, the Law Office of John A. Hedrick serves workers throughout North Carolina, including Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Fayetteville, Wilmington and the surrounding areas. If you have questions about your rights, please contact us for a free consultation and evaluation of your claim.
