- Disablement (change in work)
- Hand condition (swan neck deformity)
- Hand condition (mallet finger deformity)
The now 60-year old worker was assigned to a new job grinding metal in January 2017. In December of that year, he experienced an onset of neck, shoulder, and right hand pain, and was granted entitlement for a neck and shoulder strain. Two days after the onset of pain, he was unable to straighten his right index finger, and the condition subsequently migrated to the other fingers on his right hand. He was diagnosed with mallet finger deformity and swan neck deformity. The worker appealed an Appeals Resolution Officer decision denying entitlement for his finger condition.
The appeal was allowed. The assistance of a Tribunal Medical Assessor was requested in Decision No. 27/21I. Particular emphasis was placed on the Medical Assessor's opinion that it was highly probable that the work duties caused the mallet finger and swan neck deformities in the fingers of the worker's right hand. The Medical Assessor noted that the condition only affected the hand the worker used to operate the grinders, the issues developed after his job change and were consistent with the development of his other upper extremity issues, and there were no reasonable alternate explanations. Mallet finger deformity was known to occur in the hands of elderly men who worked in heavy labour, and if left untreated, could lead to swan neck deformity.