How to Make a Claim Following a Needle Stick Injury Suffered in the Workplace

It is a well known fact that healthcare workers are most at risk of needle-stick injuries in the workplace. Healthcare workers do not only include clinical staff (i.e. doctors and nurses etc.), but non-clinical ancillary staff such as receptionists and ward clerks who may have social contact with patients. However, these are not the only group of workers that are vulnerable and needle-stick injuries also occur in other areas of work such as the police force and amongst youth workers, who are all constantly at risk.

The injury itself suffered is not of course the important aspect for accident victims. It is the psychological impact of having to wait for HIV and related tests to be carried out to determine if any infection has been acquired. Many victims suffer depression and extremely low moods during the testing phase and these are issues which generally may need medical attention.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, the main risk posed by needle-stick injury to workers is when the worker is exposed to blood-borne viruses ("BBV"). Whilst there are certain protective vaccines available, not all types of BBVs can be protected against. The most common way in which a BBV infection is acquired is when a worker is exposed to infected blood. For example, with nurses and doctors, this may be whilst carrying out a medical procedure where the skin is scratched or punctured by a surgical knife or needle.

A recent 7-year study was conducted by the Health Protection Agency ('Eye of the Needle'). The report clearly stated that needle-stick injuries were the most commonly reported type of exposure and the majority of incidents were amongst healthcare workers. The following extract was taken from the report and provides a clear indication of the number of needle-stick incidents within the healthcare profession:

"Percutaneous injury was the most commonly reported type of exposure [78% (1,664/2,140)], with nursing related professions representing 45% (962/2,140) of the initial reports and medical professionals (doctors and dentists) accounting for 37% (793/2,140). If this is compared to the numbers of nurses and doctors practising, it suggests that within their professional group, there are a greater number of reported injuries among doctors"

Whilst there are clearly a large number of incidents amongst clinical staff, the study reports that 2% of the exposures occurred in non-clinical ancillary staff. However, majority of these were sustained from wrongfully disposing needles in rubbish bags. It is clear that many of these incidents were preventable by adhering to procedures for the safe handling and disposal of needles and other clinical waste.

Perhaps more could be done by the healthcare providers to ensure that staff adhere to disposal procedures? For example, failure to dispose of needles in the correct bins could lead to an employee being disciplined. This would encourage healthcare workers to take more care when disposing of needles or other clinical waste to help reduce the number accidental exposures each year. Ultimately, it is quite clear that any reduction is largely dependent on the training and high quality education by healthcare providers and all healthcare workers should be made fully aware of the organisational procedures in place to reduce their exposure to these types of injuries.

If you have been injured in this way then you may be entitled to make a needlestick injury compensation claim Specialist solicitors will be able to advise you on whether your employer should be held accountable for your injuries.