Alabama court limits benefits for worker with amputated fingersAn Alabama appeals court on Friday ruled that a worker who lost portions of three fingers after exposure to extreme cold is limited to scheduled workers compensation benefits, even though a trial court found him permanently and totally disabled. Roderick Harris sought benefits from his former employer, Lineage Logistics, after the workplace exposure resulted in partial amputations of his right index and middle fingers and left index finger, according to Roderick Harris v. Lineage Logistics. The Etowah Circuit Court found that Mr. Harris’ injuries caused permanent total disability but held that Alabama law limited him to the benefits specified in the statutory schedule for finger injuries. The Alabama Court of Civil Appeals said, however, that an injury to a scheduled body part is treated as a permanent partial disability unless its effects extend to and impair other parts of the body. The appeals court said it was bound by Alabama Supreme Court precedent holding that scheduled benefits fully compensate such injuries, including their effects on earning capacity, and affirmed the lower court’s judgment.