Needlestick Injury Claims – Compensation Examples

By Daniel Boimler. Last Updated 20th June 2023. Welcome to our guide about needlestick injury claim values. In a nutshell, a medical negligence claim can be made, no matter whether there was intent, negligence or whether it was accidental.

Needlestick Injury claims can have dire consequences for the victim as well as the applier.

Here at Medical Negligence Assist, we pride ourselves on having the best clinical and medical solicitors trained and have a strong background in medical law to cater to your needs.

What Is a Needlestick Injury?

Needlestick Inkury

There are processes and strategies in place to avoid and prevent needlestick injuries. However, they do still occur and can prove to have nasty side effects and ramifications.

Basically, a needle stick injury is when the skin receives a puncture from a hypodermic needle, either by accident or on purpose.

When it comes to needle stick injuries, besides the inflicted skin reacting badly, such as swelling up, being tender and bleeding; the fact that there is a possibility of infected blood entering the body can be most worrying of all, which can transmit many diseases, and the after-effects can be devastating.

What can Lead to Needle Stick Injuries and who is at risk?

The cause could determine the needlestick injury claim value. It is often negligence in some form or another that may lead to a patient or person receiving a needle stick injury. This does not always mean it is on purpose; it can be an accident. However, accidents such as these should not be taken place in any part of the health industry. When someone neglects to follow procedures laid out for this very avoidance, the results can be catastrophic, to say the least. Oddly enough, it is the healthcare workers, as in nurses, doctors, interns and others administrating the procedure, that are at the greatest risk.

Most of the accidents happen in controlled environments, such as Accident and Emergency departments (A&E or ER), doctor’s rooms and operating theatres, as well as any high-pressure medical environment. The stress in an emergency-type situation can lead the workers to forget or neglect proper protocol, ending up with either puncturing themselves by accident with a needle or their patients. Other areas where needle stick injuries can occur would be at dentists’ rooms, prisons or mental departments; where the officials need to calm down patients with a quick injection, police situations, waste disposal venues, whereby the workers come across discarded and used needles or apparatus.

The general public is also at risk, but not on such a scale as the actual medical officials. Drug addicts may leave their used needles in public bins or other places, such as public toilets, parking lots and alleyways.

Can the Risks be Reduced and How?

There are several ways in which the risks of needlestick injuries can be reduced.  And most times, it is as simple as following the set-out procedures put in place.  However, when it comes to a happenstance where the public finds an infected needle or piece of medical equipment, one can follow the rules.

In The Workplace as A Healthcare Provider

  • The proper disposal of needles should be highlighted and provided to healthcare workers using detailed training programs and displayed tutorials.
  • Sharps bins should be provided and labelled clearly for the disposal of used items.
  • Sharps bins should be replaced regularly and/or emptied to avoid spillage and possible contamination.
  • The contents of sharps bins should be emptied in specific and enclosed wastage areas, and in addition, either locked or have a security guard on duty to monitor.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be issued by all workers who may handle percutaneous type medical equipment. These would include masks, safety boots, gloves, litter pickers, and tongs. In addition, the workers should know how to work and equip themselves with these PPE.
  • Protective gloves should be worn at all times, especially when dealing with discarded needles.
  • Potential candidates for needlestick injuries should be treated for Tetanus and Hepatitis B immediately.
  • Where an item falls into a hard-to-reach space, a worker should not be required to fish it out, especially when they do not have protective gloves on.
  • As opposed to hypodermic needles, retracted needles are best, and if healthcare facilities can use these, then the risk can greatly be reduced.

Out in the Open Public

Should a member of the public come across a possible used and discarded needle, they should adhere to the following procedures:

Always call the local council to have it removed instantly as it can be a major danger to anyone in society, follow their procedures on how to handle the situation. It is strongly advised not to approach or touch the needle unless it proposes an immediate threat to society, especially children. Even placing a covering over while calling the local council can help. A failure to do so may lead to legal action, and again the cause influences potential needlestick injury claim values.

What Illnesses and Injuries can emerge from a Needle Stick Puncture Wound?

It is very important not to leave a needle stick injury unattended and seek medical professional treatment ASAP.

If that isn’t possible or you are not near a healthcare provider, follow the next steps:

  • Do not touch the wound with your bare skin or any other unsterilised item
  • Run the wound under cool water and allow the blood to flow, and then clot
  • Use a little soap or antiseptic liquid, if you have, but do not rub too hard
  • Pat the wound dry with a clean towel and allow to dry completely
  • Cover the wound with a clean plaster or dressing of some sort – it is important to keep it covered to avoid further infection
  • Make your way to a medical professional to be attended to

You may find that the wound will be a wound and will heal on its own. However, it is important to have a series of blood tests to complete the elimination process to ensure you haven’t contracted certain diseases. This testing will run over a period of a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 12 months.

Needlestick injury infection

Needle Stick injury infection

A big concern is if any infections may affect your immune system, and these need to be treated straight away and ongoing. Used needles may contain bodily fluids. There is a risk of contracting any form of Hepatitis is possible and Tetanus, and of course, HIV.

As for the physiological effects, they can be the worse for some. Knowing that some or other disease or virus may have infected, you can play havoc on the mind. You may need to consult a physiologist whilst you are undergoing the tests or speak to someone who will understand and be there for you when you need them. All of this will have a role in determining what your needlestick injury claim value could be.

What Kind of Compensation Can I Expect to Claim for a Needle Stick Injury?

A very valid question, but what will be concerning most people are the dangers of the situation. There are many factors to take into account as to how to calculate your actual compensation or payout. But most depend on the results of your tests following the needle stick injury. Some infections and diseases that needlestick injuries can cause can be life-threatening, and others are not. By and large, the likelihood is slim if the injury occurs in a medical environment, but the chance is still there. In addition, it is not only medication and treatment that needs to be taken into account with a Personal Injury claim. The physiological effects and possible therapy required and the lifestyle changes needed will also be calculated.

The fees taken by the solicitor once the claim has been won will be laid out to you upfront.  Be sure to make sure you understand the fee layout and our No Win – No Fee Agreement.

The compensation is governed directly by the 13th Edition Judicial College Guidelines, so be sure you understand this too.

It may be possible to have an estimated compensation calculation amount using a compensation calculator. One of our solicitors will help you with that. It is very difficult to give a precise estimation at the beginning of any personal injury compensation claim as many factors need to be included. Once the case is underway, you will be examined by a medical expert, all results will be back, and if any, a prognosis will be given, then a more precise amount can be given.

The medical expert may ask the following questions to give a precise and accurate report;

  • What were the results of the needle stick injury following?
  • Were your senses affected?
  • Did you experience physiological issues?
  • Where exactly did the needle stick injury puncture your skin?
  • Was the injury minor, moderate or severe?
  • Were any internal organs affected?

For the solicitor to calculate your compensation correctly, they will need to know how the incident has and may, if at all, affect your past, present and future;

  • Was your income affected?
  • Did you have a loss of earnings due to the injury?
  • What are your current earnings?
  • How long did you have to take off work?
  • What were your costs of treatment following?
  • Medical care, treatment and medication cost
  • Was there a lifestyle change, and how did this set you back financially?

As you can see, there are many aspects to consider before we can give you a precise needlestick injury claim value that you may be liable to receive.

These questions will assist you in starting to gather all the information we may need to ensure we do the best for your Personal Injury Needlestick Claim.

Needle Stick Injury – How Long Do I Have To Claim?

Following a needle stick injury, you generally have 3 years from the date of the incident to begin a claim. This time limit can be found in the Limitation Act 1980. However, if you’ve been injured due to being poked with a needle, you may not be initially aware of it if the symptoms are delayed. If so, then the date of knowledge could be used as the start of this time limit.

If it’s a child who has been accidentally stuck with a needle, then their time limit only begins from the day they turn 18. Before this date, a litigation friend must be appointed to claim on behalf of an injured child.

As with child claims, claims involving those with a reduced mental capacity must also be made by an appointed litigation friend. The time limit is also suspended unless the claimant is deemed capable of making a claim themselves. If they never recover, the time limit is frozen indefinitely.

Reach out today for more information.

Typical Payouts For Medical Negligence In The UK – Needlestick Injury Claims

As explained, compensation in a medical injury claim will be calculated by looking at the injury caused. Your injury, and its effects, will be assessed against two categories. These are:

  • General damages: which will assess the pain and suffering your injury may have caused
  • Special damages: which can look at any financial losses you may have incurred as a result

The table below provides examples of general damages awarded for needlestick-related injuries in past court claims. These are from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). The chart we have provided uses information from the 2022 edition of the JCG. However, this is not a guarantee of what your medical negligence payout will look like – all claims are assessed individually.

InjuryNotesAward
Chest Injury (b)Traumatic injury that permanently harms the function of the lung£65,740 to £100,670
Chest Injury (d)A penetrating wound that causes some damage to the lung tissue£12,590 to £17,960
Severe Pain DisorderFor illnesses such as fibromyalgia that cause persistent pain £42,130 to £62,990
Moderate Pain DisorderSerious pain disorders that continue for a number of years£21,070 to £38,490
Complete Loss of Taste and SmellAs a result of an infectionIn the region of
£39,170
Complete Loss of Smell and Significant Loss of TasteAs a result of an infection£32,900 to £39,170
Loss of SmellAs a result of an infection£24,990 to £32,900
Loss of TasteAs a result of an infection£19,200 to £24,990

As explained above, any financial losses would also be taken into account to calculate an amount for special damages.

Our advisers are available and can offer free legal advice. They could give you information about typical payouts for medical negligence in the UK and provide a free and personalised evaluation.

No Win No Fee Compensation for Needlestick Injury Claims

No Win – No Fee process entails is that should we not win the case, you are not obligated to pay us a fee.  All procedures and processes are outlined right up front for you, and should the case be successful. The fee will be taken at the time of compensation. This is called a Conditional Fee Agreement, or CFA, and it means there are no hidden costs, as you are dealing with a No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitors.

Where to Now? I have a Claim

You must keep all records about the possible claim. This includes the time you booked your appointment for the procedure you underwent to the details of the hospital and the healthcare official that caused the needle stick injury. Once you have all these details, you need to bring all relevant information to us.  Please include any medical tests that were run following the needle stick injury and all results thereof. As mentioned, the testing process can take between 3 and 12 months to conclude.

This allows for all possibilities to be eliminated, as we need to know what the after-effects are of the needle stick injury. To put together a claim and come up with a compensation amount, we need all and every piece of information and data. Please remember this is a process, and you cannot expect an overnight result or win. With that said, we do our utmost to ensure as speedy a journey with us as possible.

What is your Next Step with Us?

Once you have all that data intact, please give our offices a call or contact us through the contact form on our website. Explain that you need to make a No Win No Fee personal injury claim, and you will be routed to the appropriate solicitor in our firm. Know that your hand will be held from the moment you contact our offices to the moment the claim is either settled or rejected. Our law firm will be there every step of Valtrex the way, making sure you understand exactly where we are in the CFA process at all times. Note that you must file a claim within 3 years as per the legal time limit for such cases.

Should the claim be settled and you receive the maximum needlestick injury claim value, we will still contact you afterwards to ensure all matters were handled and finalised correctly. But if the claim is rejected, we will either contest the rejection, feel it is viable, or explain the reason behind the rejection.

You can contact our offices for legal advice in the following ways:

Needlestick Injury Claim Value FAQs

Can I claim for a needlestick injury?

Yes, you can claim compensation so long as you have enough supportive evidence to prove your injury via someone else’s negligence.

What would you do if you accidentally received a needlestick injury from a syringe?

You should clean the area ASAP, wash the wound and speak to a doctor immediately.

What should I do if I accidentally poked a used needle?

You should let the wound bleed under running water, wash it with water and soap and dry it with dressing or a plaster.

How long after a needlestick should you get tested?

You should get a test as soon as you can, as well as six months after the fact.

What tests are done after a needlestick?

These include Hepatitis B, HIV (both at the time and six weeks, three months and six months later) and Hepatitis C after two, four and eight weeks.

What diseases can be transmitted through a needlestick injury?

Possible diseases could include HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

How long can a virus live on a needle?

It’s possible for HIV to live for up to six weeks on a syringe, albeit with refrigeration as a factor.

Can I reuse a needle on myself?

No, absolutely not. You must discard both the needle and the syringe after Lisinopril usage.

Thank you for taking the time to read all about personal injury claims, particularly needlestick injury claims and how our law firm will assist you if you suffer a needlestick injury.

Learn More About Medical Negligence Claims

Below, you can find links to all of our medical negligence claims guides:

Please get in touch if you still require any information regarding needlestick injury claim values.