Needlestick Injuries

A needlestick injury, where someone suffers a puncture by a needle, can be very worrying for the injured person. Often the pain from the puncture itself is relatively minor but the need for tests to detect infection such as hepatitis B or HIV/AIDS causes a lot of distress and worry. Usually, these tests require to be repeated for a year or so after the incident before you are given the all-clear.

Needlestick injuries can occur in a number of work environments such as in hospitals or doctors’ surgeries but also in refuse collection and cleaning jobs. Employers should take precautions to prevent their employees suffering needlestick injuries, as explained in more detail below. If the injury happens at work, then often the employer and their insurers are liable to pay compensation. Our specialist Personal Injury Solicitors can advise you if you have grounds for a needlestick personal injury claim and handle the whole process for you.

Mr M from Dundee was a joiner employed by a local authority. He sustained a needlestick injury whilst working in a Council flat previously occupied by drug users. Luckily, he contracted no diseases but had to wait one year before that could be confirmed, which caused a lot of worry. Despite his employers not having a safe system of work in place or suitable personal protective equipment, they refused to settle the claim. Court proceedings were raised and an offer of £3,850 quickly followed.

Mr M, Dundee

Employer precautions

Where there is a possibility of a needlestick injury, an employer has a duty to take precautions, such as the following, to prevent it.

Safe systems of work

The first line of defence against needlestick injuries is a safe system of work that takes into account the possibility of needles needing to be disposed of and works to minimise the risk of injury. Often, special buckets are provided for the disposal of used needles and unused ones will generally be expected to be in sealed secure packaging. If your employer fails to put in place a safe system for disposing of needles then you could be entitled to claim compensation for your needlestick injury.

Training for employees

There is no benefit in putting in place a safe system of work for disposing of needles if employees are not adequately trained on how to follow the system. Equally, where personal protective equipment is to be provided, employees need training to ensure it is being used appropriately. A failure to provide adequate training can result in the employer breaching their duties to the employee.

An employer might still be liable to pay compensation even if training is provided if an employee does not follow the training and this causes injury to a colleague.

Protective personal equipment

If the employer knows disposing of needles may be a possibility, perhaps from drug addicts using a facility then, in addition to a safe system of work, they have a duty to provide you with personal protective equipment (PPE). For example, this could be stab-proof gloves or trousers to prevent a needle poking through a bin bag and into your hand or leg. The PPE supplied must be fit for purpose, properly stored and maintained. You must be trained in its use and you must use it properly. Your employer has to enforce the correct use of the PPE.

If you have suffered a needlestick injury as a result of defective PPE or because of not being supplied with PPE then you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury.

How can Thorntons help?

At Thorntons we have handled thousands of claims arising from accidents at work, including claims in relation to needlestick injuries from refuse collectors and joiners, as well as those in the healthcare professions. We can help our clients recover any lost wages as well as compensation for the stress and worry they experience until they are given the all-clear. We know the difficulties you could be facing and will work to win you the right compensation for your injury.

You can start your claim today by calling us free on 0800 731 8434 or complete our enquiry form. We will talk through your situation, answer any questions you may have and advise you if you can make an accident compensation claim for your needlestick injury. Our discussion will be confidential and you are under no obligation to make a claim. You can also take a look at our Claims Calculator to find out how much compensation you may be entitled to.