9.1.9 Arm and hand impairments

Arm and hand impairments which compensated under this element of the Table of Injuries in the 1930 Act are:

The amount of compensation is higher for the dominant hand of the injured employee, see the discussion later in this section.

Note that certain losses affecting fingers are covered under other descriptions:

• loss of a finger: 'Whole Finger Impairments', see below
• loss of part of a finger or loss of total movement of joint of thumb: 'Partial Finger Impairments', discussed later in this section.

Note also that the loss of a left arm is a separate injury from loss of the right arm and both losses are compensated by a lump sum. [As a matter of policy, the limit in S13(1) to the amount of compensation payable in respect of any one accident is not applied by DVA.]

Loss includes permanent loss of use

Loss of an arm or hand includes the permanent loss of the efficient use of the limb (LOEU) because of the effect of S12(6) of the 1930 Act. A more detailed discussion of LOEU can be found later in this chapter.

Historical Rate Increases – 1930 Act For a table that sets out the dates of rate increases and the applicable maximum amount of compensation, see the beginning of this section.