What is a Needlestick Injury?

A needlestick injury can be caused by a sharp instrument, such as a needle, blade (such as scalpel) or other medical instruments penetrating the skin. This is sometimes called a percutaneous injury.

This type of injury most commonly occurs amongst healthcare workers, for example, when a professional receives an injury from a hypodermic needle that is intended for a patient, however, exposure can also happen in restrooms, parks and other public places when needles are not disposed of properly, for example, if they have been used to inject illegal drugs.

There is a risk of severe infection, as well as what can be an unpleasant puncture wound. When someone has used a needle, viruses in their blood may contaminate it. Therefore, if a ‘sharp’ (tools such as needles, blades and other medical instruments, such as syringes, and lancets, and glass from broken equipment) accidentally pierces someone’s skin, the infection could be transmitted to that person. The risk of infection can also lead to severe distress and trauma for the person injured by the needle or sharp object.

If you have suffered a sharps injury at work, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.

What are the Risks of Needlestick Injuries?

Even a needlestick injury from a sterile needle can cause an awful wound and severe bruising, and that’s assuming that you did not receive any of the solution that may have been in the syringe. The main risk of needlestick injury is the potential risk of infection, such as blood-borne viruses (BBV). Transmission of infection can occur in cases where the injury involves a sharp object that has been contaminated with blood or bodily fluid from a patient.

In cases like these, serious illnesses such as Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV) and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are all potential risks. You may need to undergo post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatment if there is a potential HIV risk.

The transmission of infection depends on several factors, including the person’s natural immune system. The number of needlestick injuries each year is high, however, only a small amount are known to have caused infections that led to serious illness.

That is why it is essential to seek medical treatment, and analysis of the needle concerned, whenever you have received a puncture wound from a needle. You should also seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity in case you need to make a claim for compensation.

Do I Need to Report a Needlestick Injury?

There are strict procedures which your employer must follow for reporting specific types of workplace injury. These rules are laid out in The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 2013.

When your employer reports an accident, the HSE and local authorities will be notified. They will then decide if an investigation is required and whether there is a continued risk to you and other employees. A needlestick injury is very serious and falls under RIDDOR, regardless of the severity of the wound.

Is my Employer Liable for a Needlestick Injury Compensation Claim?

Anybody who has suffered a needlestick injury at work due to their employer’s negligence is usually eligible to make a needlestick injury claim for compensation. Below are some examples of how your employer may have been at fault for your accident:

· Neglected to implement the relevant health and safety regulations.

· Failed to provide appropriate or adequate training

· Failed to provide you with adequate and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) or the correct equipment to carry out your job.

· Required you to carry out a task for which you weren’t qualified.

How can Beacon Law Assist?

Beacon Law is a specialist personal injury law firm which provides a team of highly qualified accident at work solicitors and legal professionals with many years of experience in all types of injury matters, including needle stick injuries. Our friendly staff treat each injured person with the respect and compassion they deserve throughout their case whilst providing a high level of professionalism.

We will keep you updated via text, email, phone, or letter throughout the claim process. We boast an impressive success rate, and we’ll help you move on, if you need ongoing support after the case we can help you out.

Proving an accident at work claim

In order to be successful in an accident at work claim, you will need to provide some evidence to prove that your accident happened as you have alleged, and that your accident resulted in the injuries you have suffered. The types of evidence that you may be required to provide can include:

• Witness statements from other employees present at the time of the accident.
• Photographs of the area of your accident or photos of the defective equipment that caused your accident.
• Your copy of the accident report (if you were provided with this).
• CCTV footage of your accident (we are likely to request this from your employer).
• Photographs of your injuries.
• Copies of any medical records or hospital letters.
• Receipts showing any treatment/ medication costs or other expenses incurred.

How long will it take to settle my case?

It is very difficult to predict how long it will take to settle any case. If your case is straight-forward, your injuries are minor, and your employer admits liability within the required time frames, it should take around 6-9 months to settle your claim. The claims process is not always straight-forward and there are many factors which could cause a delay in settling you claim, such as an unresponsive defendant, difficulties in obtaining evidence, and serious, complicated injuries.

The timescales from the initiation of a claim to obtaining compensation will vary depending on whether your employer admits or denies liability for your accident. The seriousness of your injuries may also have an impact on the amount of time it will take for us to settle your claim.

No win, no fee accident at work claims

We offer all claims on a no win, no fee basis. These claims allow personal injury solicitors and their legal team to proceed with your claim with no up-front legal costs to be paid. Throughout the compensation claim process, there will be no hidden charges or payments required from the injured person.

This type of agreement helps the injured party focus on recovering from their injures without stressing about the financial risks.

If your claim is successful, you will only be required to pay a small amount from your final damages to your solicitor for their a success. These costs will be calculated as a percentage and will be discussed with you before legal proceedings start. This payment is to compensate your solicitor for their time and work put into assisting on your case.

You may also be required to pay a small fee for ATE insurance from your compensation award if your case is successful. This will all be explained to you by your solicitor before you agree to start your personal injury claim.

If your case is unsuccessful, unfortunately, you will not receive any compensation; however, you will not be required to pay us a penny.

Should I go back to work after an accident?

If you are well enough to go back to work, you should return to your workplace. If you are well enough to return to work, but decide not to, you will be unable to recover your loss of earnings for this time off when it comes to settling your claim.

If you are making a claim against your employer, you may feel awkward or uncomfortable when returning to work; but you shouldn’t feel this way. Your employer breached their duty of care towards you and caused you to sustain an injury, therefore, you are entitled to make a claim against them.

The law is on your side in this regard and your employer should not treat you negatively because you are making a claim against them.

Why Choose Beacon Law?

Beacon Law provides a team of highly experienced Solicitors and legal professionals. We provide a high level of service to all our clients and work hard to ensure you receive the highest level of accident at work compensation for your injuries. We are specialist Personal Injury solicitors with expertise in all types of claims, including, road traffic accidents, slips, trips, falls, and criminal injuries. Beacon Law is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. To find out about our no win, no fee funding, have a look at the funding section on our website.

If you have a query regarding making an accident at work claim, please do not hesitate to get in touch and we will be happy to discuss your claim with you, without any obligations.

We deal with all types of personal injury and workplace accident claims. The legal matters which we deal with on a no win, no fee basis, include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Accidents at Work
• Slips, Trips and Falls
• Road Traffic Accidents
• Animal Attacks
• Medical Negligence
• Professional Negligence
• Criminal Injury Claims (CICA)
• Catastrophic Injuries

For a free, no obligation initial discussion, contact us using the form at the top of the page or using our live chat facility. Alternatively, you can call us directly on 0330 1332 857.