Hand & Finger Schedule Loss of Use (SLU) in NY Workers' Comp

Each digit is scheduled separately under WCL §15(3). Hand SLU is the highest-volume body part in NY’s schedule.

TL;DR

• The hand is scheduled at 244 weeks. Each finger has its own statutory week value: thumb 75, index 46, middle 30, ring 25, little 15.
• Amputation rules are different from range-of-motion rules — amputation produces SLU per statutory week count.
• Carpal tunnel, trigger finger, and tendon injuries produce ROM-based SLU under the 2018 Guidelines.
• High-volume body part among trades: construction, restaurant, healthcare, sanitation, plumbing, electrical.

The per-body-part schedule

WCL §15(3) schedules upper extremity components individually:

• Arm — 312 weeks
• Hand — 244 weeks
• Thumb — 75 weeks
• Index (first) finger — 46 weeks
• Middle (second) finger — 30 weeks
• Ring (third) finger — 25 weeks
• Little (fourth) finger — 15 weeks

A finger SLU is calculated against the finger’s week value. A hand SLU is calculated against 244 weeks. An injury involving the wrist or palm typically scheduled as a hand injury; injury involving multiple digits may schedule as the hand or as the individual fingers, whichever produces the larger total.

The math is the same as elsewhere: SLU % × week value × WC rate = lump sum.

How the percentage is calculated

Amputation. Amputation produces a defined SLU percentage by statute and Guidelines table — the more proximal the amputation, the higher the percentage of the body part lost. A distal phalanx amputation is a percentage of the finger; a metacarpal-level amputation may be valued as the hand.

Range of motion. For non-amputation injuries, ROM deficits in flexion, extension, abduction, and opposition drive the percentage per the 2018 Guidelines.

Strength loss. Grip strength deficits, measured by dynamometer, factor into hand SLU evaluation.

Sensory loss. Two-point discrimination deficits and protective sensation loss contribute to the percentage.

Surgical minimums. Carpal tunnel release, trigger finger release, Dupuytren’s release, tendon repair, and fusion procedures carry minimum values under the Guidelines.

Special considerations. Chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS), persistent edema, stiffness despite therapy, hardware retention.

Common patterns

Carpal tunnel release is the most common hand SLU procedure. The Guidelines minimum applies regardless of subjective outcome. IME reports calling carpal tunnel post-release “fully recovered” without acknowledging the Guidelines minimum are flag-worthy. See the IME Red Flag Checker.

Trigger finger release carries a minimum per digit.

Tendon repairs (flexor and extensor) carry minimums depending on zone.

Amputations of the distal phalanx (fingertip) are scheduled per the Guidelines amputation table. Most fingertip amputations produce SLU in the 30–50% range of the affected digit, sometimes higher.

Common occupational presentations

• Construction — saw lacerations, crush injuries, struck-by injuries, ladder falls catching at the wrist
• Restaurant — knife cuts, burns producing scar contractures, slicer injuries
• Healthcare — needlestick (separate occupational disease pathway), patient-handling wrist injuries, carpal tunnel from documentation and procedures
• Plumbing / electrical — crush injuries, struck-by injuries, tool injuries
• MTA / sanitation — crush injuries from equipment, repetitive grip injuries
• Office workers — carpal tunnel and trigger finger from sustained keyboard work (causation requires specific medical foundation)

What I see go wrong

• Single-digit injuries valued as hand SLU when the per-finger calculation produces a larger number. Always run both calculations.
• Carpal tunnel valued at 0% post-release on a “no symptoms now” basis, ignoring the Guidelines minimum.
• Amputation cases undervalued by using ROM rules rather than the amputation table.
• CRPS not credited when it should add to the percentage.

What to do next

The current SLU Estimator does shoulder and knee. Hand SLU is on the development roadmap. For now, contact me directly for a hand SLU evaluation.

Frequently asked questions

How are NY hand and finger SLU calculated?

The hand has a 244-week value; each finger has its own value (thumb 75, index 46, middle 30, ring 25, little 15). SLU percentage × week value × weekly rate produces the lump sum. Multi-digit injuries may calculate as the hand or as individual fingers — run both, take the larger.

What’s the SLU minimum for carpal tunnel release?

The 2018 Guidelines establish a minimum SLU for carpal tunnel release regardless of post-op symptom resolution. IME reports calling the post-release patient ‘0% SLU’ ignore the Guidelines minimum and are subject to challenge.

How are fingertip amputations valued?

Per the Guidelines amputation table, fingertip amputations typically produce SLU in the 30-50% range of the affected digit, with more proximal amputations producing higher percentages. The amputation table — not the ROM table — controls.

Related pages

• Schedule Loss of Use — shoulder
• Schedule Loss of Use — arm
• Carpal tunnel and repetitive stress
• What is a Schedule Loss of Use award?
• Construction-site injuries
• Restaurant worker injuries