Lost Your Hand in a Work Injury?
Ohio owes you up to $224,175.
If you lost your hand — or lost the use of your hand — in a workplace accident, Ohio law says your award is worth up to $224,175. But the BWC does not hand you this money. Getting your full award — especially for loss-of-use injuries — requires an experienced lawyer like Mike Gruhin.
Key takeaways
- ✓A hand injury award in Ohio is worth up to $224,175 (175 weeks at $1,281/week).
- ✓Loss-of-use claims are far more complex than amputation claims — the BWC disputes them aggressively.
- ✓You may qualify for additional benefits on top of the scheduled loss that the BWC will never tell you about.
- ✓If you lost multiple fingers, Mike may be able to pursue a full loss-of-hand award instead of individual finger awards.
- ✓Mike Gruhin has 49+ years of experience winning these exact cases. Call him before you try to handle it alone.
What is a scheduled loss award?
Ohio law assigns a specific dollar value to the loss of a hand. For 2026, that value is $224,175. But knowing the number and actually receiving the full award are two very different things.
The process for obtaining a scheduled loss award is complex and heavily contested by the BWC — particularly for loss-of-use injuries where you did not lose the hand entirely. Mike Gruhin handles every step, from building your medical case to fighting at your hearing.
2026 Ohio BWC hand injury award
$224,175
175 weeks × $1,281 per week
Knowing the award amount is just the beginning.
The BWC does not hand you this money. You must file properly, present the right medical evidence, and fight for every dollar — especially for loss-of-use injuries, which the BWC disputes aggressively. That is what Mike Gruhin does. He has 49+ years of experience winning these exact cases.
Don’t try to navigate the BWC alone.
Mike reviews every case personally — at no charge, no obligation.
Why loss-of-use claims are so difficult
Most scheduled loss claims are not amputations. They are loss-of-use claims — where you still have the body part but have permanently lost substantial function. These claims are far more complex and far more aggressively disputed by the BWC.
The BWC will argue you have not lost enough function, that the loss was pre-existing, or that you do not qualify at all. They hire their own doctors to minimize your impairment. Without an experienced lawyer building your medical and legal case, most loss-of-use claims are denied or drastically undervalued.
Mike Gruhin has spent 49+ years winning loss-of-use cases that the BWC tried to deny. He knows exactly what medical evidence is needed, which doctors to work with, and how to present your case at hearing. This is not something you can do on your own.
Lost multiple fingers? Mike may be able to pursue a full hand award.
If you lost two or more fingers in a work injury, Mike Gruhin may be able to argue for a complete loss-of-hand award — worth $224,175 instead of individual finger awards. The BWC will never suggest this. It requires the specific legal strategy and medical documentation that Mike has built over 49+ years of practice.
Related hand and arm injury awards
Ohio provides separate awards for each part of the hand and arm. Mike evaluates your entire injury to pursue the maximum combination of benefits.
Don’t leave money on the table.
The BWC will never tell you about overlapping benefits. Mike identifies every one.
Why your hand injury award may be worth more than $224,175
The $224,175 is only one benefit. Mike identifies every additional award you qualify for — benefits the BWC will never volunteer.
PPD — on top of scheduled loss
Permanent wrist, forearm, or shoulder limitations from your hand injury can each support a separate PPD award. Mike documents each one.
Wage loss benefits
If your hand injury forces you into a lower-paying job, you may qualify for Wage Loss compensation. Mike files this as a separate benefit.
VSSR — employer safety violations
If your employer failed to provide proper guards, training, or equipment, Mike can pursue a VSSR award — adding 15–50% on top of everything else.
Additional allowed conditions
Chronic pain, nerve damage, depression, PTSD, and compensatory injuries can all be added to your claim. Mike identifies every condition the BWC overlooks.
Get your free hand injury case review
Tell us what happened. Mike personally responds to every inquiry. No fee unless we win your case.
Why you need Mike Gruhin for your hand injury claim
The BWC does not work for you. It will never tell you about the additional PPD, wage loss, and VSSR benefits that apply to hand injuries. Its job is to administer the system — not to maximize your recovery.
Loss-of-use claims are the most aggressively disputed category in Ohio workers’ comp. The BWC will argue you have not lost enough function, that the loss was pre-existing, or that you do not qualify at all. Without Mike, most of these claims are denied or drastically undervalued.
Mike Gruhin is an OSBA Board Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist with 49+ years of experience. He builds the medical and legal case the BWC cannot ignore — and he identifies every overlapping benefit you are owed.
No fee unless we win. Mike works on contingency — you pay nothing upfront, and you owe nothing unless he recovers benefits for you. The consultation is free, unlimited in time, and completely confidential.
49+ years fighting for injured workers across Ohio.
Mike has recovered millions in benefits for hand injury victims.
Frequently asked questions
Your hand injury could be worth
$224,175 — or more.
Free, unlimited-time telephone consultation. Mike personally responds. No fee unless we win.
No obligation. No upfront cost. Completely confidential.