A worker who lost part of her hand in a workplace injury was found to be eligible for more compensation than she originally received under an Indiana statute, said a three-judge panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals.

Ms. Senter worked for Foremost Fabricators and on April 29, 2014 her pinkie finger was caught between rollers on a machine. The injury required the initial amputation of her fingertip, and later a doctor determined that the rest of her little finger and the bone along the left side of her hand to the wrist joint would need to be amputated as well. She reached maximum medical improvement by September 2014, with an impairment assessment of a 10% permanent partial impairment to the left hand.

Ms. Senter argued that she should be awarded for a one-third loss of her hand for $65,000, given the subsequent amputation of her hand bone. The Indiana Workers’ Comp Board calculated her permanent partial impairment at 13% and awarded her $12,880.

The appellate court reversed and remanded that decision, saying that was insufficient. They said the board read the statute too narrowly and while she is not entitled to an award for the loss of her whole hand she should receive a partial award for what was amputated on her hand.

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