Portland Workers’ Comp Claims for Trigger Finger Injuries

While the index finger is sometimes called the trigger finger, “trigger finger” is a medical condition that can affect any of your fingers or your thumbs. Many jobs involve extensive use of digits, and many workers who use power tools or other heavy machinery regularly rely on their fingers and thumbs to do their jobs.

An injury to your fingers resulting from direct trauma or repetitive stress can severely limit your ability to work, possibly permanently. Workers’ compensation benefits can help in such situations, but while you likely qualify for medical benefits and wage loss benefits, there are often steep challenges you must overcome to recover trigger finger workers’ compensation.

What Is Trigger Finger?

Trigger finger is a condition that affects the tendons in your fingers or thumbs, making it painful or difficult to bend or straighten them. For people with trigger finger, their digit may catch or lock in a bent position before suddenly releasing — similar to the pull and release of a trigger. The fingers most often affected are the ring finger and thumb, but trigger finger can appear in any of them.

Trigger finger often develops over time from repetitive motion, especially in jobs that involve constant gripping, pinching, or the use of tools. Workers who frequently use their hands in the same motion — like factory workers, mechanics, or construction workers — are especially at risk of developing trigger finger or trigger thumb.

Left untreated, trigger finger can seriously limit a worker’s hand function and interfere with their ability to perform daily work tasks.

Is Trigger Finger a Work-Related Injury?

Trigger finger is a work-related condition for many people because it typically develops from repetitive stress. Unfortunately, employers are often skeptical of repetitive stress injuries like trigger finger claims. They might not view the trigger finger injury as serious, or they argue it is not related to the injured worker’s job.

Proving the condition is related to your job is mandatory for recovering a workers’ comp settlement for trigger finger. Some evidence a workers’ comp lawyer might use to prove your case includes:

• Job descriptions – Detailed descriptions of your daily tasks and videos of someone performing your job can help show how often you use your hands in repetitive or forceful motions.
• Expert medical opinions – A physician or occupational specialist can explain how your specific work activities likely caused or worsened your condition.
• Witness statements – Coworkers can confirm the physical demands of your job and how often you perform repetitive hand movements.

Can You Get Workers’ Compensation for Trigger Finger?

Yes, injured workers can recover workers’ comp benefits for trigger finger. Workers’ compensation benefits could include:

• Coverage of all reasonable medical treatments related to your condition
• Partial replacement of lost wages
• Long-term disability benefits if your injury limits your ability to earn a living

How Our Portland Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help You Seek Benefits

Trigger finger can be more complicated to prove than other, more obvious work injuries, so you need legal help to pursue workers’ comp benefits. Jodie Anne Phillips Polich, P.C., can help with your case by gathering evidence showing how your injury relates to your job. She can also file your workers’ compensation claim within the required deadlines and handle all communications with your employer and their insurer. If your employer denies your claim or undervalues your benefits, our firm can file an appeal and represent you in any hearings.

As a former Oregon Workers’ Compensation Board member, Jodie Anne Phillips Polich can provide the aggressive, experienced advocacy you need to help you claim your rightful benefits.

Call now or complete our contact form for a free initial consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney.