Needle Stick Injuries at Work

Can I sue my Employer?

We specialise in Needle Stick Injuries at Work so if you have suffered a Needlestick Injury whilst at Work, you may well be wondering if you can sue your employer for Compensation.

The answer to this question depends on a number of factors, including the circumstances surrounding the puncture wound accident and whether there has been a breach of health and safety regulations.

• In general, if your employer was negligent in causing or allowing the accident to happen, you may have grounds for a negligence claim.
• Negligence is when someone fails to take reasonable care to avoid causing harm. In order to prove negligence, you would need to show that your employer knew or should have known about the hazard and that they failed to take accout of the health risks and to protect you from these.
• For example, if your employer failed to provide proper safety equipment or training, or if the workplace was not properly cleaned and sterilized, you may be able to hold them liable and make a needlestick injury claim.
• These type of injuries happen in a wide variety of different work situations so if you’ve suffered a needlestick injury at work, you may be able to claim compensation for your pain and suffering, as well as any financial losses you’ve incurred as a result of the accident.
• To find out more about making a No Win, No Fee Needlestick Compensation Claim (- so no financial risk if you lose -) contact us today.
• We can help you claim against the NHS or your employer and will take you through the entire needlestick injury claims process protecting your interests all the way.

Preventing Needlestick Injuries at Work

There are several ways to prevent sharps injuries at work and potential exposure to danger.

• Employers should ensure that all workers who may be exposed to needles or other sharp objects receive proper training on how to safely handle these devices.
• In addition, employers should provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers who are at risk of needlestick injury.
• One of the best ways to prevent these Injuries is to make sure that all workers who may be exposed to needles or other sharp objects receive proper training on how to safely handle these devices.
• Employers should provide employees with information on the dangers of needlestick injury and how to avoid them. Workers should also be given proper PPE, such as gloves and protective clothing, when they are working with needles or other sharp objects and medical instruments.

 

If a worker does sustain a Needlestick injury, it is important for them to seek urgent medical advice as soon as possible. Injuries can result in serious infections such as blood borne viruses, so it is important to get treatment right away.

Employers should have a protocol in place for dealing with sharps injury and should make sure that all workers are aware of it.

Stick injuries are a serious hazard in the workplace and can result in serious illness such as hepatitis b requiring the victim to seek urgent medical advice. By taking proper precautions, such as providing training and PPE to workers, employers can help to prevent these injuries from occurring.

Who is at Risk from Needle Stick Injuries at Work?

Sharps injuries at work can pose a serious health risk to employees, particularly those who work in healthcare or other occupations where they may be exposed to blood or other body fluids.

Needle stick injuries can transmit diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, and other infections. Employees who work with needles or other sharp objects are at risk of sustaining an injury.

In view of the risks the Health and Safety Executive have strict rules about minimising the risks of contamination.

There is a surprisingly wide group of people who are at risk from Needle Stick Injury as a consequence of their working environment. Obvious candidates include Nurses and Doctors and other Healthcare Workers who routinely dealing with needle sticks.

There are then others such as:

• Contract cleaners;
• The  Police;
• Prison officers;
• Vets;
• Park Keepers;
• Refuse collectors to name just a few.

 

Each of these types of job expose the worker to a risk of Needlestick Injury at work.

Lets have a look at some of these different of jobs and some of the issues that arise:

Hospital and Health Workers and How We can Help?

Needle stick injuries are a serious problem for the healthcare sector and in paticular hospital and health workers. Every year, thousands of workers are injured in the healthcare sector by needles and other sharp objects such as medical instruments while on the job. These type of injuries can result in serious infections, including blood-borne diseases like HIV and hepatitis B and hepatitis c. In some cases, they can even be fatal.

This group of people who are at a higher risk regularly come into contact with infected patient’s blood sticks as part of their duties and to a large extent the risks can be managed and controlled by training, supervision and implementation of appropriate procedures.

Unfortunately, as we know only too well from our experience of handling Medical Sharps Injuries at work, there are occasions where mistakes occur and injuries are sustained.

Injuries are suffered for a variety of reasons such as a lack of training, supervision and or a failure to adopt the right procedures.

These injuries happen when workers are not using proper safety precautions. It is important for all hospital and health workers to be aware of the higher risk of injuries and to take steps to prevent them.

Needle stick injuries can be prevented by using proper safety equipment, such as gloves and needles with safety features in compliance with health regulations. Workers should also be properly trained in how to use this equipment and should follow all safety regulations and safety laws to avoid the risk of infection.

We have even come across situations where our Client has been given protective gloves and equipment which are not suitable for providing proper protection against needlestick injury at work exposing her to the risk of infection. This is unforgivable and in this instance the compensator rightly but reluctantly accepted that our client here warranted compensation.

• As solicitors who specialise in Needlestick Injury Claims at Work we are very well placed to discuss your circumstances and advise whether Your claim is one that is likely to succeed

 

• You might want to have a look at some useful tips about what to do following a Needle Stick Injury at work.

 

• We will put all our years of experience to good use and give you the best chances of success with your Sharps Injury at Work claim.

Refuse Workers and Needle Stick Injury Claims

We have dealt with a number of these types of claim where our client has sustained a Needle Stick Injury at work as a consequence of poor systems of waste disposal whilst at work.

• Needle sticks injuries are a serious hazard for workers in the refuse and recycling industry. Needles can be hidden amongst rubbish and recycling, and can easily puncture skin if workers are not careful. These type of injuries can lead to serious infections, including HIV which might lead to the need for post exposure prophylaxis treatment to fight infection.
• Thankfully there are local councils in England and Wales who have introduced wheelie bins for the depositing and collection of waste and this has led to a reduction of the risk of Needle Stick Injuries.
• However there is still a hard core of local councils who for various operational reasons have retained the old system of collecting rubbish which is simply placed in a plastic bin bag by the resident. This means that the refuse collector is obliged to pick up the bags manually and in turn there is instantly the risk of the collector sustaining a Needle Stick Injury.
• Of course workers in the refuse and recycling industry need to be aware of the risks of needle stick injuries and take precautions to protect themselves. Employers should also provide appropriate training and equipment to workers to help reduce the risk of these injuries.
• However even with proper training and even where the protective gloves are of a good standard there remains the ever present risk of injury occurring in this working environment leading to injured workers.

Contract Cleaners  and Needle Stick Injuries

Needlestick injury occur all too often in this context and are a serious occupational hazard for contract cleaners. Needles can transmit blood-borne viruses and diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis c, from one person to another. Needlestick injury can also cause pain and swelling at the site of the injury.

Workers who are exposed to needles should receive training on how to avoid needlestick injury. They should also be provided with personal protective equipment, such as gloves and masks, to reduce their risk of exposure. Needle stick injury prevention is an important part of keeping workers safe on the job.

There’s no doubt that cleaners are predisposed to the risk of injury as they are likely to work in a variety of places whether in private or public areas. Again, there is always the chance that Needle Sticks have been carelessly abandoned after use wherever the Cleaner happens to be working.

It is common for Hospitals to sub-contract cleaning services so there will be an obvious and prevalent risk of injury in this context. Cleaners may operate in parks, on streets, public toilets, cinemas (incidentally we won a claim for a lady who suffered a Needle Stick Injury in a cinema when she reached into a drinks holder in front of her and pricked her hand) as well as  prisons to mention just a few.

If you are injured by a needle at work, report the injury to your supervisor immediately. Seek medical attention if you think you may have been exposed to a blood-borne disease. Follow your employer’s safety procedures to prevent further injuries. Needle stick injuries are a serious threat to your health and safety, so take all necessary precautions to avoid them.

• Wherever you have suffered Your Needle Stick Injury we will be delighted to provide You with advice and assistance and will give you a good idea about how much Your claim might be worth.
• We will be able to tell you straightaway whether we consider Your claim is likely to succeed and remember we offer a genuine No Win No Fee service for all of our clients.
• You have nothing at all to lose by calling us now to discuss your needlestick injury compensation claim!

How Much Compensation for Your Needlestick Injuries?

If you have suffered needlestick injury when at work, you may be wondering how much compensation you could receive.

• When Needlestick injuries occur it can be extremely painful and can often result in serious infections. If you have suffered such an injury, you may be entitled to bring a needlestick injury compensation claim for your pain and suffering, as well as any medical expenses you have incurred.
• The amount of needlestick injury compensation you could receive will depend on a number of factors, including the severity of your injury, the extent of your pain and suffering, and the amount of medical expenses you have incurred.
• It’s not uncommon for people to suffer psychological trauma as a result of the worry associated with having contracted contaminated blood and blood borne viruses. If the accident claim involve an injured employee with
• If you have suffered particularly sharps injuries, you may be able to claim damages for lost earnings if you are unable to work.
• First things first it’s a good idea to seek legal advice as soon as possible after a sharps injury in order to determine whether you are eligible for needlestick injury compensation.
• An experienced personal injury claims lawyer will be able to advise you on the best course of action and will help you to recover the maximum amount of needlestick injury compensation possible.

Can I make a No Win No Fee Needlestick Injury Claim?

Needlestick injury is a serious hazard in the workplace.

• If you have suffered a sharps injury, you may be able to make a no win no fee needlestick injury compensation claim.
• If you lose your case, you won’t have to pay any fees.
• We’re ready to take on your claim, gather evidence and help you get the compensation you deserve.
• Contact us today to discuss your sharps injury claim – we’ll quickly evaluate your claim and let you know what your next steps should be.
• Needlestick Injury Compensation Claims can be complex, but we’re here to help you every step of the way on a No Win No Fee Basis.

What are the Next Steps in Bringing Your Needlestick Injury Compensation Claim?

We know the claims process can be daunting, but it’s important to remember that you are not alone and to get in touch with us as soon as possible.

• Our specialist team of solicitors will first of all discuss exactly what happened to you so we are in a position to establish the prospects of success for your sharps injury claim.
• With our expert knowledge about needlestick injury claims we will draft ‘the Letter Of Claim’ which will set out in detail the basis of your needlestick injury establishing how the accident happened and requesting that the letter is referred to your employer’s insurance company.
• Your employer’s insurer will investigate your needlestick injury compensation claim and will then be obliged under the rules to confirm whether they admit your compensation claim or deny liability.
• Either way your specialist solicitor will be in a position to advise you about how to proceed with your needlestick injury claim whether that means helping you to quantify needlestick injury claim or building up the liability arguments to succeeed with your claim.

Expertise and Understanding

We are able to give you immediate legal representation, rehabilitation and treatment no matter where you are in England or Wales.

We also provide urgent:

• Home visits;
• Hospital visits for those who are unable to meet us at home;
• Face to face meeting at one of our private meeting rooms based in most UK cities;

Chat to our No Win No Fee Solicitors on freephone number 0800 652 0586

If you think that you have a Needlestick Injury Compensation Claim, would like to have a chat about a potential claim or require further information, please contact us now – risk free and with no legal fees.

because……if you don’t ask you’ll never know!

Carter & Carter Solicitors governed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority

 

Meet the Author

Chris Carter is the founder and Director of Carter & Carter Solicitors, a leading personal injury law firm based in the UK.

With over 25 years of experience in the field of personal injury litigation Chris has become a trusted expert in his industry.

Throughout his career, Chris has remained dedicated to helping injury victims recover compensation and has a long and proven track record of success using all his experience to win claims and secure compensation on the best terms.

Chris’s passion for helping others is evident in every claim he and C&C Solicitors handle. He and his team go above and beyond to ensure their clients receive the support and guidance they need during what can be a difficult time.

To learn more about Chris and the team at C&C Solicitors, and the legal services they offer, please visit www.candcsolicitors.co.uk/about-us/   or call the team on 01663 761 890