Needle stick injury claims

Who is commonly at risk of a sharps injury?

Anyone who works with needles and sharps are at risk of an injury. For example:

• Healthcare professionals: Such as doctors, nurses, phlebotomists, and lab technicians who routinely handle needles and other sharp instruments during medical procedures.

• First responders: Paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and firefighters who may come into contact with sharp objects while providing emergency care.

• Janitorial staff: Cleaners in healthcare facilities who may encounter improperly disposed-of sharps.

• Dental professionals: Dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants who handle sharp instruments in dental procedures.

• Tattoo and piercing artists: Those in the body modification industry who use needles as part of their work.

• Home healthcare workers: Those providing healthcare services in a home setting where sharps may be present.

• Agricultural workers: Particularly those involved in veterinary care for animals.

Common scenarios leading to needle stick injuries

• Inadequate disposal of used needles – When used needles aren’t properly placed in designated sharps containers, they can end up in places where unsuspecting individuals may come into contact with them.

• Accidental pricks during medical procedures – Sometimes, medical procedures involve handling sharp instruments, and accidental pricks can occur, especially in fast-paced or high-pressure situations.

• Mishandling of sharps containers – If sharps containers aren’t sealed or handled correctly, there’s a risk of needles being exposed and causing injuries.

• Lack of health and safety regulations in place – If there is a lack of strict health and safety protocols governing the proper handling and disposal of sharp medical instruments, this absence of regulations increases the risk of needlestick injuries.

• Lack of adequate training in things like disposing of needles or syringes – When staff are not properly trained on the safe disposal of needles or syringes, there’s a higher likelihood of improper handling, which can lead to needlestick injuries.

• Not providing appropriate personal protective equipment – If employers fail to supply essential personal protective equipment, such as gloves or safety goggles, workers are more vulnerable to needlestick injuries. This equipment acts as a crucial barrier between the worker and potential hazards.

Why seek compensation

In the UK, your employer has a legal responsibility to protect their staff from needlestick injuries. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is in place to ensure that all employers provide a safe working environment and look out for the health of their employees—wherever their place of work.

Failure to do so is negligence, and if you’ve been injured as result of employer negligence, you have every right to claim needlestick injury compensation. Seeking compensation is both justifiable and necessary:

• Holds your employer accountable: By pursuing compensation, you hold your employer accountable for their negligence. This not only ensures justice for your injury but also reinforces the importance of workplace safety such as providing adequate training, or personal protective equipment.

• Lost wages and income: If your injury leads to time off work or a diminished capacity to perform your duties, compensation can help replace lost wages. This ensures that you don’t suffer further financial setbacks due to the injury.

• Compensate your pain and suffering: Needlestick injuries can be emotionally distressing, causing anxiety, stress, and even long-term psychological effects. Compensation can help you access the necessary support and counseling services.

Needlestick injury claims aren’t just about making sure you’re OK financially, they’re also about ensuring this type of accident doesn’t happen again:

• Encourages workplace safety: By filing a compensation claim, you send a strong message to your employer and other businesses about the significance of prioritising employee safety. This can prompt them to take proactive measures to prevent future incidents.

• Preventing future injuries: Compensation claims can lead to changes in workplace policies and practices, ultimately reducing the likelihood of similar incidents occurring in the future. This benefits not only you but also your colleagues and future employees.

If you’ve been injured as a result of a needlestick injury, you could be entitled to make a medical negligence claim, or an accident at work claim. To find out more, call 0800 234 6438 today and speak with a trained legal advisor for free, impartial advice about the claims process.

Needlestick injury claim time limits

If you need to seek needlestick injury compensation, in the UK, there are specific time limits, known as “limitation periods,” that govern when you can bring a needlestick injury claim. These time limits are in place to ensure that claims are filed within a reasonable timeframe.

1. Three-year limitation period: In most cases, you have a period of three years from the date of the needlestick injury to initiate a claim. This means that you must file your claim within three years of the incident.
2. Date of knowledge: If you become aware of the injury and its potential consequences after the initial incident, the three-year limitation period may begin from the date you gained knowledge of the injury. This could apply in cases where the full extent of the injury was not immediately apparent.
3. Age of the injured party: If the injured party is under the age of 18 at the time of the incident, the three-year limitation period doesn’t begin until they turn 18. This means they have until their 21st birthday to file a claim.
4. Mental capacity: If the injured party lacks mental capacity to make legal decisions, there may not be a time limit for bringing a claim until they regain capacity.
5. Exceptions and extensions: In exceptional cases, the court may consider extending the limitation period, but this is relatively rare and depends on the specific circumstances of the case.