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A Guide to Workers’ Comp Thumb Injury Settlements in Illinois

If you’ve suffered a thumb injury in a work-related accident, a workers’ compensation attorney can help you pursue the benefits you’re entitled to. Whether the injury occurred on-site or off-site, employees often face lost wages, medical expenses, and other hardships—especially when surgery or extended recovery time is required.

Common Types of Thumb Injuries

Thumb injuries are among the most common types of injuries that workers can sustain on the job. These injuries may result from a sudden accident—such as a fall, a direct blow, or equipment misuse—or they may develop gradually due to repetitive strain or overuse. Because the thumb plays a vital role in grip strength, dexterity, and precision, any injury to its muscles, ligaments, or joints can severely impact hand function and job performance.

Some common types of thumb injuries include:

Sprains: Sprains occur when the ligaments that support the thumb are stretched or torn, typically due to a forceful twist or impact. These injuries typically cause swelling, bruising, and difficulty with gripping or pinching motions.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: While commonly associated with the wrist, carpal tunnel syndrome can affect thumb function. Compression of the median nerve can lead to numbness, tingling, and weakness in the thumb and first few fingers.
Trigger Thumb: Repetitive gripping or pinching can lead to trigger thumb, where the tendon sheath becomes inflamed. This causes the thumb to catch or lock in a bent position, often accompanied by pain and stiffness.
de Quervain’s Tenosynovitis: Also known as base of thumb tendinitis, this condition involves inflammation of the tendons at the base of the thumb, usually due to repetitive wrist and thumb movements. This type of thumb injury is common in jobs involving frequent lifting or twisting motions.
Thumb Ligament Injuries: Ligaments on either side of the thumb can be damaged during falls or direct trauma, especially in "skiers’ thumb" or "gamekeeper’s thumb," where the ulnar collateral ligament is torn. This type of injury affects thumb stability and function.
Catcher’s Thumb: Caused by hyperextension of the thumb, this injury can occur in occupations where the thumb is repeatedly jammed backward. It leads to pain, swelling, and reduced motion.
Volar Plate Injuries: The volar plate is a thick ligament that supports the joint. Injuries here often occur when the thumb is forcefully bent backward, causing joint instability and swelling. These are common in both workplace accidents and falls.
Thumb Fractures: Breaks in any of the thumb bones can result from crushing injuries, falls, or direct trauma. Depending on the location and severity of the fracture, symptoms may include severe pain, deformity, swelling, and inability to move the thumb.

How Thumb Injuries Happen in the Workplace

Workplace thumb injuries can occur in a variety of ways, depending on the nature of the job and the tasks performed. In many industries, workers rely heavily on their hands for repetitive motions, lifting, gripping, or handling tools and machinery—all of which can put strain on the thumb over time or result in sudden trauma.

Common causes of thumb injuries on the job include:

Repetitive Motion: Jobs that require frequent pinching, gripping, or twisting motions can lead to overuse injuries like trigger thumb or de Quervain’s tenosynovitis.
Forceful Impact or Trauma: A sudden blow to the hand from machinery, tools, falling objects, or collisions can cause sprains, fractures, or ligament damage.
Falls and Awkward Landings: Falling and instinctively bracing with an outstretched hand can lead to thumb hyperextension, dislocations, or volar plate injuries.
Tool-Related Strain: Using vibrating power tools or tools that require a strong or repetitive grip can stress the thumb’s joints and tendons over time.
Caught-in or Crush Accidents: Working around heavy equipment or moving parts can result in severe crush injuries or broken bones if the thumb becomes caught.

Settlements for Thumb Injuries Requiring Surgery

Thumb injuries that require surgery—such as fractures, torn ligaments, or severe tendon damage—are often more serious and can lead to significant time away from work, long-term rehabilitation, and even permanent loss of function. Because of the thumb’s essential role in hand mobility and grip strength, these injuries can impact a worker’s ability to return to their job or perform daily tasks.

Workers’ compensation settlements for thumb injuries involving surgery typically reflect the severity of the injury, the cost of medical treatment, time lost from work, and the extent of any lasting impairment.

Settlement amounts may cover:

Surgical and medical expenses
Temporary or permanent disability benefits
Lost wages during recovery
Vocational retraining, if needed
Compensation for reduced earning capacity

How to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Illinois for a Thumb Injury

If you’ve sustained a thumb injury on the job in Illinois, it’s important to take the necessary steps to protect your rights and access the benefits you may be entitled to under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act.

Here’s how to get started:

Report the Injury: Notify your employer as soon as possible—preferably in writing. Under Illinois law, you must report the injury within 45 days of the accident or the date you became aware of the injury.
Seek Medical Attention: Get immediate medical care for your thumb injury. Let your doctor know the injury happened at work so your treatment is properly documented.
File a Claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC): Although your employer should initiate the process, you may also file an Application for Adjustment of Claim with the IWCC to formally protect your right to benefits.
Keep Records: Document everything related to your injury, including medical visits, missed workdays, communications with your employer, and any bills or expenses.
Consult an Attorney: A workers’ compensation attorney can guide you through the process, ensure your paperwork is complete and timely, and help fight for full benefits.

What Types of Compensation Can You Get for a Thumb Injury?

If you’ve suffered a thumb injury at work, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits to help cover your recovery. Depending on the severity of the injury—especially if it involves surgery, loss of function, or permanent damage—you may be entitled to several types of compensation.

Types of benefits you may qualify for include:

Medical Expenses: Full coverage for doctor visits, diagnostic tests, surgery, rehabilitation, and any prescribed medications related to your thumb injury.
Temporary Total Disability (TTD): Payments to replace lost wages if you’re unable to work during your recovery period.
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): Compensation for lasting impairment or reduced use of your thumb, which can significantly impact hand function.
Vocational Rehabilitation: Support for retraining or job placement assistance if your injury prevents you from returning to your previous job.

The exact amount of compensation depends on factors like your average weekly wage, the extent of your injury, whether surgery is required, and how much your ability to work is affected. Consulting with a workers’ compensation attorney can help ensure you receive the maximum benefits you’re entitled to under Illinois law.

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What Is the Average Workers' Comp Settlement for a Thumb Injury in Illinois?

While every workers’ compensation case is different, thumb injuries in Illinois tend to result in higher-than-average settlements due to the thumb’s essential role in hand function. Factors like your average weekly wage, whether surgery is required, the extent of permanent damage, and whether your dominant hand is affected can all impact the final settlement amount.

Most thumb injury settlements in Illinois fall between $55,000 and $120,000, though more severe cases involving surgery, fractures, or long-term impairment may result in higher compensation. The more serious the injury and its impact on your ability to work, the more you may be entitled to receive.

What Are the Requirements to Receive Workers’ Compensation for a Thumb Injury in Illinois?

To qualify for workers’ compensation benefits in Illinois after a thumb injury, you must meet a few key requirements under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act.

Here’s what you need to qualify:

You must be an employee. Independent contractors typically aren’t covered, but some exceptions may apply depending on how your work is classified.
The injury must arise out of and in the course of employment. This means the injury must have occurred while you were performing work duties or tasks related to your job, whether on-site or off-site.
You must report the injury within 45 days. It’s important to notify your employer as soon as possible. Delayed reporting can put your benefits at risk.
You must seek medical treatment. Prompt medical care not only ensures proper healing but also creates a clear record connecting your injury to your job.
You may need to file a formal claim. While many cases are handled through the employer, you can also file an Application for Adjustment of Claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission to protect your rights, especially if disputes arise.

Do I Need a Workers’ Comp Attorney for My Thumb Injury Settlement?

While it’s possible to file a workers’ compensation claim on your own, having an experienced attorney can make a significant difference.

A workers’ comp attorney can help by:

Ensuring your injury is properly documented and reported
Accurately calculating the value of your claim, including future medical costs or wage loss
Negotiating with insurance companies to maximize your settlement
Representing you in hearings or disputes before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission

Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, and injured workers may not always know what their case is truly worth. If your injury is serious, your claim is denied, or you’re being pressured to settle quickly, it’s important to speak with an attorney who can protect your rights and help you pursue full compensation.

Get Help from Experienced Workers’ Comp Attorneys at Vasilatos

When you work with the experienced legal team at Vasilatos Injury Law, you will be able to get the representation you need for a successful workers’ comp claim. We can also represent you in court, if needed. Our lawyers understand the importance of helping our clients restore their lives to the way they were before sustaining the injury, and will work to achieve a favorable outcome.

Our attorneys will work to determine how your injury has impacted your well-being, from health and employment to overall finances, and will help you seek the benefits you deserve. We’ll help you reach a fair settlement that helps cover all medical costs and lost wages resulting from time taken off from work for recovery.

Our legal team has provided representation for many clients who have sustained thumb injuries and many other types of work-related injuries resulting from accidents or violence. We understand how detrimental these injuries can be to a worker’s life and well-being, which is why we work hard to recover the compensation that our clients deserve.

$80,000 Thumb Injury Settlement with Surgery & Fusion

$80,000 workers’ compensation settlement obtained for an Amazon employee who underwent thumb ligament reconstruction with graft, tendon transfer, and thumb metacarpal fusion. Settled under “loss of trade” due to permanent work restrictions.

Get Dependable Representation for Thumb Injury Workers’ Compensation

Here at Vasilatos Injury Law, we understand the importance of ensuring you get the compensation you deserve for a thumb injury or another work-related injury. We can provide a free consultation to assess your case and legal situation. At our locations in Chicago and Flossmoor, our caring staff can help ensure you benefit from unrivaled professionalism and comprehensiveness. If you have sustained a thumb injury in the workplace, contact Vasilatos Injury Law and we’ll determine what benefits you are qualified to receive. Contact us today by calling us toll-free at (877) INJ-LAW1 and we’ll assess your case today.

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Vasilatos Injury Law is the best injury law firm in the City of Chicago. Attorney Vasilatos handled my worker’s compensation case with professionalism, and worked hard to ensure I received the benefits I was entitled to. Whenever I called, my calls were answered or returned promptly. This was very important to me since other attorney’s never return calls or are never available to talk to you.

I have referred Vasilatos Injury Law to my friends and family who have also experienced excellent results.

SHIRLEY DILLARD

Principal at CPS-McNair Academic Cemter

I came to Vasilatos Law almost 20 years ago. I had a workers' compensation case with my former employer and Mr. Vasilatos always was and still is a true gentleman. He cares about his clients, he listens, gives great legal advice, and is always a phone call away. He is honest and will explain everything in detail. He is patient, sincere, very knowledgeable, extremely professional, and will always return your calls in a timely manner. I recommend Mr. Vasilatos and Vasilatos Law as the best law firm to represent you in your workers' compensation or personal injury case to anyone who wants results.

I hired Vasilatos Law firm on more than one occasion and they always delivered the best results. Vasilatos Law is the best workers' compensation and personal injury attorneys you can have on your side.

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If you have questions regarding any aspect of workers’ compensation or personal injury, we invite you to call our office or complete the email form provided to the right.

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Phone: 312-559-8339
Fax: (312) 356-9994
Toll-Free: 1-877-INJ-LAW1

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Phone: (708) 283-0600
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