If you have sustained a needlestick, syringe, or other sharps-related injuries we can help. We have the knowledge and expertise to deal with your needlestick injury claim and to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.
We will claim for the stress and worry caused by having to wait for the results of your blood tests as well as any infection or blood-borne virus (BBV) you may have picked up from the needle.
To see how we can help you claim the compensation that you deserve, get in touch with us today:
- call: 0113 284 5000
- email: pi@isonharrison.co.uk
- send an online enquiry
We have many years of experience in dealing with needlestick injury claims and have the expertise and knowledge to ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve.
Who can make a needlestick injury at work claim?
Anyone who has sustained a needlestick injury as a result of the negligence of another party, known or unknown, can make a claim.
The following groups are most likely to have a needlestick injury:
People who work in the medical profession such as nurses, care workers and dental hygienists and surgeons have a high risk of injury from a needle stick, hypodermic, carver or other sharp instrument and due to the nature of the work injuries and accidents are not uncommon.
You can claim compensation and damages if you have an accident and injury with a discarded needlestick, hypodermic needle or sharp while working in a care home or a hospital. It may be that a colleague has placed a sharp in the wrong container or bin or the needle was incorrectly wrapped after use. Whatever the cause, you are entitled to claim compensation and damages for your injuries and losses.
The RCN has stated that in a recent survey 48% of nurses who replied said that they had, at some time in their career, been stuck by a discarded needle or sharp. Most of these could be avoided and the employers would in most cases have been liable for the injury and stress resulting from the incident. It doesn’t matter that the injury was caused by someone else; your employers are liable for the actions and mistakes of your colleagues.
The same applies to care workers, orderlies and cleaners. If you work in the health sector your employers are under a duty to treat you fairly and protect you from harm and, if that trust is breached, you can claim damages and compensation.
You can claim compensation if you have had a needlestick accident while employed to clear land or property. You can claim damages for your injury, stress and worry.
If you are employed to clear land or property, then you must be provided with the correct personal protective equipment to make sure that you are safe when carrying out your job. This should include the correct gloves, footwear etc as well as making sure that the procedure you are required to carry out is safe.
We have successfully acted for several contract cleaners who have been required to clear areas of land or property that have had a high-risk factor but due to inadequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or risk assessment, there has been an accident involving a discarded needle stick or similar sharp.
You can claim compensation and damages if you are a council worker and have had a needle stick, hypodermic or similar injury while at work.
You can claim for the injury, stress, and worry caused by the accident.
You can claim compensation and damages for your injury if you have an accident involving a discarded needle stick, hypodermic or other sharp while visiting a hospital as a patient or to visit a patient. You can claim for your injury, stress and worry.
It may be that a nurse has placed a sharp in the wrong container or bin or the needle was incorrectly wrapped after use. There have been needles simply being left lying around in bathrooms. Whatever the cause and regardless of who was responsible you are entitled to claim compensation and damages for your injuries and losses.
Whatever your employment and however the accident happened, here at Ison Harrison Solicitors we can help you claim the compensation and damages you deserve.
You don’t have to have contracted a blood-borne virus or infection to make a can claim. You are entitled to recover compensation for your injury, stress and worry as well as any financial losses that may have arisen as a result of the incident such as time away from work etc.
If you required Post Exposure Prophylaxis treatment (PEP) as a result of the incident, then this will be taken account of when assessing the level of compensation that you are due and such treatment generally results in a higher level of damages.
To see if we can help get in touch with us today.
If you sustain injury from a discarded used needle stick in, say, a hotel room or holiday home then you could bring a claim as the owner of the property may have failed to take all reasonable steps to ensure your safety while you were on their premises. This can cover a failure on the part of the cleaning staff to ensure that all rooms are free from potential hazards, including discarded needles before you arrive
Regardless of where your accident occurs as a victim of a needlestick injury, you can look to claim for:
- compensation for your injuries – both physical and mental; you don’t need to have a full-blown psychological condition to claim compensation. You are entitled to claim for the stress and worry resulting from the incident
- distress and upset caused by any required treatment such as Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
- loss of income for any time from work for treatment or recovery
- gratuitous care provided by friends and family
- all and any other financial losses arising from the accident
How much can I claim for my needlestick injury?
The value of your needlestick claim will depend very much on how the incident affects you and impacts on your life. You don’t need to develop an infection or disease; your claim can be based solely on the mental trauma and stress that can result from such an incident.
You may be required to undergo Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) as a result of the incident. PEP is used as prevention against infection from HIV but can have unpleasant side-effects. If PEP is required, we will claim an increased compensation level for the additional discomfort that can result from such treatment.
While every case is different the average level of award for a needlestick injury where there is no infection is in the region of £2000-£2500.00.
What will it cost to make my claim?
Your needlestick claim can deal with on a No Win-No Fee basis. This means that if your claim fails you don’t pay us a penny for the work we have done on your behalf.
There are no upfront fees to pay. Once we have gone through with you and explained how your claim will be funded, if you are happy to proceed, our agent will visit to collect the signed documentation from you.
How will my needlestick injury claim be handled?
Your claim can be dealt with on a No Win – No Fee basis so you won’t have to worry about how your claim will be funded. If your claim fails, you don’t pay us a penny for the work we have done on your behalf.
We will bring your claim against the employer of the party that caused your accident. If the incident happened at your place of work, then the claim will be against your employers for allowing the incident to occur. This is known as vicarious liability and allows you to bring a claim without having to identify the individual who discarded the needle in such a dangerous manner.
To see how we can help you claim the compensation that you deserve, get in touch with us today – call 0113 284 5000 or email pi@isonharrison.co.uk
