Partial amputation of one’s fingers is not an uncommon event. In adults, hand and finger injuries are frequently due to accidents when using power tools. Hands perform many actions ranging from the very delicate to the forceful and strenuous. If this results in difficulty performing your job duties, then you should consider applying for social security benefits.
The thumb is very critical regarding hand function. The fingers work with the thumb to give our hands the most strength and dexterity. Also, the loss of the fourth and fifth finger can cause a loss of grip strength.
Amputation surgery attempts to preserve as much hand function as possible. However, despite various surgical techniques, you may still be left with inability to use your hands for performing different functions whether they be for grasping and holding objects or typing, writing or doing fine tasks such as picking up small objects.
Some individuals may also experience hypersensitivity and intolerance to cold following hand injuries. This may result in limiting some people working in an cold environment.
From a social security standpoint, allowing benefits depends on how severely your hand functions are affected. If despite your impairement, they determine that you can perform other work, then you will be denied. Their decision is somewhat complicated since it involves the degreee of your impairemnt as well as your age and past work history. The state disability office will review your medical record and doctors’s notes regarding your progress and will then make their decision.
If they cannot make a decision after reviewing the medical evidence, they will ask you to attend a CE exam( consultative examination) paid for by the state. During that examination, the examining physician will exam your hands carefully and make a decision as to how well you can grasp and hold objects as well as perform fine fingering such as picking up small objects and writing. The key word which may favor an allowance is occasional which means you are limited to grasping, holding, turning, typing, writing or picking up small objects to one third of a day or less.