A needlestick injury may have a detrimental impact on an individual’s health and well-being. Although it may cause minor harm, such as lacerations, it may also cause significant internal or psychological damage. So, if another’s negligent actions caused such suffering, it may give rise to needlestick injury claims.
Key Takeaways
- Needlestick injuries occur when needles penetrate the skin. This may result in minor lacerations or more serious harm, such as infections or organ damage.
- There are many settings a person may sustain a needlestick injury such as in healthcare and social care industries, workplaces or public places.
- If you can prove your needlestick injury was caused by the negligent actions of a third party, you may be eligible for compensation.
- When claiming compensation for needlestick injuries, you must do so within 3 years of sustaining the injury and collect evidence to prove your case.
- Our excellent solicitors at Accident Claims may help you pursue a personal injury claim for needlestick injury compensation on a No Win No Fee basis.
Contact Accident Claims
Contact us today to find out if you are eligible to claim needlestick injury compensation or to learn more about the claims process by:
- Calling us on 0800 073 8801 to discuss your injuries and claim
- Messaging us via our live chat
- Contacting us online
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Jump To A Section
- What Industries Are At Risk Of Needlestick Injuries?
- Can I Make A Needlestick Injury At Work Claim?
- Can I Make A Claim For A Needlestick Injury In A Public Place?
- What Needlestick Injuries Or Illnesses Could Be Suffered?
- The Possible Complications Of A Needlestick Injury
- Needle Or Syringe Injury Compensation Payouts
- What Is The Process For Bringing A Needlestick Injury Claim?
- Needlestick Injury Claims With Our No Win No Fee Solicitors
- More Information
What Industries Are At Risk Of Needlestick Injuries?
Numerous industries pose a risk of needlestick injuries, including healthcare, social care, laboratories, and prisons. Below, we explore these various industries in more depth.
Healthcare And Medical Settings
Needlestick injuries often occur in healthcare and medical settings, as needles are used for a variety of medical procedures, such as injections and withdrawing blood.
For example, this may happen if a nurse does not perform a blood test correctly, due to inserting the needle too deeply into the skin. This causes nerve damage to the patient.
Care Home And Social Care
Needlestick accidents and injuries may occur in care homes and social care facilities.
For example, a care home resident may suddenly move when receiving an injection if they are not being safely restrained. This may result in the needle penetrating into the carer, causing an infection and maybe also organ damage as a side effect due to not needing the injection to begin with.
Laboratories And Research Facilities
Laboratories and research facilities may be settings where needlestick injuries occur, as they are used for a wide variety of tests and may also harbour various chemicals.
For example, a test may be performed regarding a bloodborne virus, such as Hepatitis B, but the needle was left exposed on a workbench. This caused another worker to be pricked by the infected needle and become infected with the virus.
Prison, Police And Security
Needlestick injuries may occur in prison, police and security settings. These are some high-risk jobs that require safety precautions.
For example, a police officer may have been conducting a stop-and-search on an individual but was not provided with safety gloves. As a result, the officer may become struck by a needle in the individual’s pocket, causing a blood infection.
Regardless of the industry in which you sustained a needlestick injury, you may be eligible for compensation. So, contact us today to learn more.
Can I Make A Needlestick Injury At Work Claim?
Yes, you may make a claim for a needlestick injury at work if you can prove that the negligent actions of your employer caused your injury.
All employers owe their employees a duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. As such, they must take reasonable steps to ensure their employees remain safe at work. Failure to do so is considered negligent. So if your employer’s actions or omissions caused your needlestick injury, you may be eligible to claim.
You can learn more about such claims if you read our accident at work claim guide.
Contact our advisors today to see if you could claim needlestick injury at work compensation.
Can I Make A Claim For A Needlestick Injury In A Public Place?
Yes, you may make a claim for a needlestick injury that you sustained in a public place, provided your injury was caused by the negligent actions or inactions of the party in control of that place.
When visiting a public place, you are owed a duty of care by the person in control of that space under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957. They must take necessary steps to ensure the reasonable safety of visitors. Failure to do so is considered a breach of their duty of care.
Needlestick Injuries In Public Places
There are many ways a needlestick injury may occur in a public place. For example, a needle may not have been disposed of and may have been left in a public car park owned by a local council that failed to inspect and clean it regularly. A child may find this and become injured by it.
To learn more about such claims, please read our public liability claims guide.
Contact our advisors today to learn more about pursuing a claim for a needlestick injury in a public place.
What Needlestick Injuries Or Illnesses Could Be Suffered?
Accidents involving needlesticks may result in numerous injuries or illnesses, such as scarring and infections. Here are some examples of the type of harm such incidents may cause:
- Laceration and scarring
- Skin irritation and inflammation
- Organ damage to the liver, bowels or kidneys
- Eye injuries or loss of sight
- Psychological harm
If you suffered an injury or illness as a result of a needlestick accident, contact our advisors to find out if you can claim compensation.
The Possible Complications Of A Needlestick Injury
There are various possible health complications associated with needlestick injuries, such as infections and organ damage. These can be serious and require immediate medical attention to prevent additional harm.
The majority of complications caused by needlestick injuries are serious illnesses caused by bloodborne infections. However, other problems may also arise. Some examples include:
- Liver damage
- Hepatitis B or C
- Immune system problems, such as HIV
- Wound infections causing sepsis
- Bacterial infections such as tetanus
- Long-term mental health problems
Such complications may require long-term or lifelong treatment.
If you suffered complications from a needlestick injury, contact us to find out if you are eligible for compensation.
Needle Or Syringe Injury Compensation Payouts
Successful needle or syringe injury compensation payouts are awarded for the pain and suffering your injuries have caused you, as well as any associated financial losses.
Compensation for physical injuries and psychological harm caused by the needlestick injury is awarded under the head of claim, general damages. Solicitors calculate this using an independent medical assessor’s report of the injuries and compensation guidelines created by the Judicial College (JCG).
The JCG lists various injuries alongside guideline compensation brackets. The table below contains examples from the JCG that may be applicable for injuries caused by needlesticks or syringes. However, please note that the awards are suggestive and are not guaranteed. Additionally, the first entry has not come from the JCG.
Injury/Illness Compensation Notes
Multiple Serious Injuries and Significant Financial Losses Up to £500,000 plus Awarded for multiple injuries that are all serious and imposing significant financial losses such as medical expenses, care costs and lost earnings.
Kidney Injuries a) £206,730 to £256,780 Suggested for permanent and serious damage or the loss of both kidneys.
Kidney Injuries b) Up to £78,080 Suggested if the claimant has a significant risk of developing a loss of natural kidney function or urinary tract infections.
Lung Disease (a) £122,850 to £165,860 A serious disability in a young person with a probability of the condition progressively worsening.
Lung Disease (c) £66,890 to £85,460 Disease causing worsening lung function and impairing breathing.
Severe Psychiatric Damage £66,920 to £141,240 Factors considered within these brackets include the claimant’s ability to cope with relationships, work and life. Their treatment, prognosis and future vulnerability is also considered.
Moderately Severe Psychiatric Damage £23,270 to £66,920 The factors considered are the same as those listed above. However, the claimant’s prognosis is more optimistic.
Moderately Severe PTSD £28,250 to £73,050 Factors considered within these brackets include whether the individual is able to work or function with daily life but have a good prognosis and may benefit from professional help.
Spleen (a) £25,380 to £32,090 Loss of spleen with a continuing risk of an internal infection due the immune system being damaged.
Can Needlestick Injury Claims Compensate For Other Losses?
Yes, successful needlestick injury claims may provide compensation for financial losses under the head of claim special damages.
For example, if you incurred momentary losses as a result of your injuries, these may be calculated by your solicitor and awarded as part of your overall compensation payout.
Examples of losses you may claim for under special damages include:
- Missed wages for your time off work, including lost work benefits such as bonuses
- Payments made for medical treatment, scans or prescriptions
- Travel costs for going to and from medical appointments
- Costs towards special equipment, such as medical machines or PPE
- Home modification costs, such as accessible bathrooms
- Payments towards mental health services
When claiming special damages, it is important to provide evidence of your losses. This can be with documents such as invoices, bank statements and payslips.
For more information about needlestick or syringe injury compensation payouts, do not hesitate to contact our advisors.
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What Is The Process For Bringing A Needlestick Injury Claim?
The process of pursuing a needlestick injury claim is to seek medical attention, gather supporting evidence, and obtain legal advice.
Seeking medical attention means your injuries can be treated and that a record is created. You could then request a copy of your medical records to be used as evidence in your claim. Additional evidence you could gather includes:
- Details of the incident in the accident report book
- Photographs of your visible injuries and accident scene
- CCTV footage of your accident, if available
- The contact details of witnesses
The more evidence you collect, the greater the chance you have of a successful claim. If you need help gathering this, our solicitors may support you.
Personal injury claims also have a 3-year time limit, running from the date the incident took place, as set out within the Limitation Act 1980. You can learn more about this time limit and the exceptions by reading our limitation period guide.
Contact our advisors if you have any questions regarding the process for pursuing a needlestick injury claim.
Needlestick Injury Claims With Our No Win No Fee Solicitors
Pursue a needlestick injury claim with our No Win No Fee solicitors here at Accident Claims today. By signing a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), you may receive the legal support of our specialist and experienced solicitors on your claim without having to pay them for their services prior to the claim starting, while it is underway, or if it is unsuccessful.
You will pay a small success fee to your solicitor if your claim is successful, and this will be taken as a legally capped percentage of your compensation.
Some other benefits of claiming with us are that our solicitors will:
- Utilise their legal skills and knowledge on your claim
- Help you gather evidence to support your claim
- Work tirelessly to help you get the payout you deserve
- Set you up with an independent medical assessment
- Help you access mental health services
At Accident Claims, we are dedicated to providing a high standard of customer service to help you obtain a fair compensation payout and get you back on track with your life.
Contact Accident Claims
Contact our advisors today to pursue a claim for needlestick injury compensation or learn more about the process by:
- Calling them on 0800 073 8801 to discuss the circumstances of your case
- Messaging them on a private live chat to start a claim
- Contacting us online
More Information
For more information about personal injury claims, you can read the useful guides linked below:
- Information about what happens when you make a personal injury claim
- Learn how to use personal injury compensation tables
- Answers to our frequently asked questions
References:
- Find an urgent treatment centre, NHS.UK
- How to prevent needlestick injuries, NHS.UK
- Information about statutory sick pay, GOV.UK
We appreciate you taking the time to read our guide on needlestick injury claims.
