A syringe and needle stick infection claim seeks compensation when stuck by an uncapped needle in a hospital or GP clinic. You may have a claim for medical negligence if a medical professional does not safely dispose of a needle that infects you or a loved one.
You may have a syringe and needle stick negligence claim when you receive care that is less than what another professional would provide. Protocols state how used needles should be disposed of and never be of danger to patients and staff.
You may suffer months or years of infection, pain, and discomfort due to the medical negligence, and you might be able to claim compensation from those responsible.
A No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitor can make your claim for needle stick infection and get you the compensation you deserve.
Table of content
What is a syringe and needle stick infection injury?
A syringe and needle stick infection injury is when you are injured due to a lack of duty of care by staff at a hospital or clinic when disposing of a used needle. Staff should safely dispose of used needles and ensure that they cannot infect anyone else.
Medical negligence is medical care below that any other medical professional acting at an acceptable level would provide. With syringe and needle stick negligence, you could suffer pain, infection, and trauma and be exposed to unnecessary risk.
A needle stick infection is not unusual, and the common syringe and needle stick infection claims show how easily one can happen.
Your No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitor can look at your case and see if you have a valid needle stick injury negligence claim for compensation.
Common syringe and needle stick infection injury claims
The common syringe and needle stick infection claims are regularly seen in NHS hospitals, GP surgeries and private clinics across the UK. You go for a medical appointment and, through no fault of your own, are stuck by an exposed, used needle.
You may have a compensation claim if stuck by a needle in one of the common types of injury claims taken against hospitals and GPs.
Common syringe and needle stick infection injury claims:
Infection caused by an uncapped needle in A&E
An infection caused by an uncapped needle in A&E can be stressful, leave you in pain, and you may need further treatment. An A&E ward is a busy place with staff and patients coming and going and procedures happening in every cubicle.
If a doctor or nurse fails to dispose of an uncapped needle, the next patient or cleaner could get stuck by it, exposing them to the danger of infection.
You may have a claim for compensation when infected by a discarded needle in the A&E.
Needle stick injury at the GP clinic
A needle stick injury at the GP clinic can happen if the GP or clinic nurse fails to dispose of a used needle according to protocols. The syringe and needle can carry infection from the previous patient, and you could be exposed to contracting it.
The GP and nurse should be fully trained in needle use and in the disposal of used sharps in the clinic.
Medical negligence is when they do not follow the guidelines, and a used needle sticks you.
Stress caused by a needle stick injury
The stress caused by a needle stick injury could have you off work and be with you for a long time. You do not know what infection was on the used needle, and in a hospital environment, you could be exposed to any one of several serious viruses.
It may take weeks for blood tests to come back or to see if an infection will develop, weeks that can be very stressful for you and your loved ones.
Needle stick injury in a hospital ward
A needle stick injury in a hospital ward can leave you open to any serious infection other patients may be carrying. NICE guidelines state how to avoid needle stick injuries and how staff should dispose of all sharps on the ward.
If the doctor or nurse leaves a syringe exposed in the ward, a patient or visitor may get stuck by the needle, and they could get ill from a subsequent infection.
Hospital employee needle stick injury
A hospital employee needle stick injury can happen when a cleaner is emptying bins and is stuck by a needle or syringe not disposed of in the Sharps Bin.
A nurse or doctor may also suffer a needle stick injury if an uncapped, used needle is left on a tray or around the room.
Needle stick injury can happen easily with an uncapped syringe, and staff must always follow NICE guidelines when dealing with needles.
Contracting Hepatitis from a needle stick injury
Contracting Hepatitis from a needle stick injury can expose the patient to the serious liver disease, for which they could need medical treatment for life.
Hepatitis is a blood-borne infection, and the negligence of leaving an uncapped needle on the ward used by someone with Hepatitis can cause a lot of damage.
If you or a loved one contracts hepatitis from an uncapped needle, you may have a claim for compensation.
Puncture wound from an uncapped needle
A puncture wound from an uncapped needle can be unsightly, cause infection in the area and may take time to heal. The physical damage of a puncture wound may affect your ability to drive or carry out your tasks at work.
You may also need to undergo a series of antibiotics to fight any potential infection.
In instances where the needle may carry HIV or Hepatitis, you may need to take a vaccine or other preventative medication.
Compensation for syringe and needle stick infection injury claims
You can claim compensation for syringe and needle stick infection injury in amounts from the low £1000s to more than £1 million in some cases. Compensation amounts vary according to the extent of your injuries and the effect on your life today and in the future.
Anyone who suffers a syringe and needle stick injury could have a compensation claim. The compensation varies depending on several factors, and uncapped needle stick claims sometimes see very high awards, such as when serious infection results in a lifetime of unnecessary suffering and early death.
Compensation amounts in syringe and needle stick negligence claims can be:
All amounts are approximate and are only a guide to what is possible in syringe and needle stick negligence claims. Figures can be high in some claims as you or a loved one could need long-term care and may face medical bills for life. You claim for these care expenses and the medical costs in the future.
As in all medical negligence claims, each case is dealt with on merit and how much the patient suffers due to infection contracted from the needle.
A No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitor will be the one to advise you on a syringe and needle stick negligence claim. They will know from experience what your case may be worth and how to make a successful claim.
Your No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitor will handle your needle stick infection claim for compensation and for all damages incurred.
Our Process
Our team members have a higher career win rate with a 75% success rate on NHS letters of claim, compared to an industry average of 54.5%.
Enquiry
The first step is to get in touch and tell us what went wrong. It’s free and easy. Call our 24-hour helpline: 0800 246 1122 or request a callback here.
Medical Evaluation
Once you have spoken with our team we’ll let you know how we can help. Typically the next step is to obtain your medical records for us to review.
Legal Letter
Once all your medical records have been received they will be reviewed by a medically & legally qualified member of our team. If there is evidence of medical negligence we will send a letter of claim to the negligent party outlining your medical negligence claim.
What can you claim for when you sue for syringe and needle stick negligence?
You can claim compensation for any damages that occurred when you sue for syringe and needle stick negligence.
There are two types of compensation damages due when suing for any type of medical negligence: General damages and Special damages.
General damages
General damages are when you sue for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity, PSLA, you have experienced due to negligence.
Pain is that above what is normally expected for your procedure.
Suffering is the inconvenience and changes to your life that cause you discomfort.
Loss of Amenity is any difficulty you have in doing everyday tasks, such as walking, sitting, playing sports, and sleeping.
Special damages
Special damages include loss of earnings, future care costs, and out-of-pocket expenses.
Loss of earnings includes compensation for time off work and any reduction of your income in the future.
Future care costs are for any care you will need as a result of medical negligence.
Out-of-pocket expenses cover medical appointments, travel, accommodation, and meals.
Be sure to keep payslips, receipts, and proof of any losses you experience due to the medical negligence.
You deserve compensation to cover all losses, including loss of life, medical costs, and long-term care needs.
When you or a loved one suffers from the effects of needle stick injury negligence, you make a claim for medical negligence compensation.
Hospital negligence in needle stick injury claims
Hospital negligence is a big factor in needle stick injury claims. The hospital authority has a duty of care to all employees, patients, and visitors to ensure all areas are always kept safe and free of uncapped needles.
Hospital negligence is when the hospital fails in its duty of care to employees, patients, and visitors. Hospital negligence can happen when the authorities do not provide adequate training, employ poor-quality staff, or do not ensure all guidelines are followed everywhere in the hospital.
NHS guidelines cover how staff should deal with syringes and used needles. The hospital should provide training to staff and ensure sharps bins are used for used and discarded needles.
You may have a claim for hospital negligence if you can show:
If you suffer a syringe and needle stick injury due to hospital negligence, you may have a claim for compensation.
A No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitor may take your claim to get compensation for the effects of the needle stick injuries.
Effects of needle stick injuries
Effects of needle stick injuries can range from infection to stress and unsightly wounds on the hands, arms, and legs. The effects may last a few days or could be with you for life.
Some effects of needle stick injuries:
The effects of a needle stick injury can lead to PTSD and the risk of developing a serious blood infection.
A No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitor may make a compensation claim to seek damages for the effects of needle stick injuries.
How do needle stick injuries in hospitals happen?
Needle stick injuries in hospitals happen due to negligence when staff are busy or if guidelines are not followed. A needle stick injury can also happen if staff are not properly trained or there are not enough sharps bins provided on busy wards.
Needle stick injuries happen when:
Needle stick injuries should not happen when staff are trained, the hospital authorities provide bins, and the bins are replaced regularly.
Your No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitor can take a negligence claim against whoever is responsible for your needle stick infection.
Who is responsible for needle stick infection?
A medical professional is responsible for your needle stick infection. When you bring a claim for needle stick infection, you claim against the NHS Trust or private clinic that employed the medical professional responsible.
A medical professional responsible for the needle stick injury could be:
Every medical professional owes you a duty of care when dealing with your health problems. You may suffer a needle stick injury if they are negligent with that duty of care and do not provide you with a safe area free from uncapped needles.
Medical negligence is treatment below an acceptable standard by a medical professional. Instead of disposing of needles or not keeping patients safe, staff have infected you or given you a puncture wound, which is clear medical negligence.
You may need to undergo years of treatment to correct the errors of needle stick injury. By behaving less-than-professionally, the medical professional risks your health, and the effects could be with you for life.
You can claim compensation for the needle stick injury and to get help with getting your life back on track again.
What are the steps involved in making a needle stick injury negligence claim?
The steps involved in making a needle stick injury negligence claim go from seeking medical advice to issuing court proceedings.
The steps are a part of any successful compensation case, and settlement can happen at any stage in the process.
Your medical negligence solicitor will do the rest when you follow the steps correctly and gather all the facts and figures.
How long do I have to make a claim for needle stick injury negligence?
You have three years to make a claim for needle stick injury negligence. All medical negligence claims are subject to limitation periods.
For example, in England and Wales, medical negligence claims must generally be brought and court proceedings issued within three years of the injury or three years of knowledge of the facts giving rise to the needle stick injury negligence claim.
If someone has passed away, it is the date of death if the limitation period has not expired at the date of death.
Children not under a disability typically have until they reach 21 to start a needle stick injury negligence claim or court proceedings.
Persons with a disability, who lack capacity, are not subject to any limitation period.
Can I make a claim on behalf of a loved one?
Yes, you can make a claim on behalf of a loved one. Under UK law, if an injured party cannot represent themselves, then a loved one can take the case on their behalf.
Needle stick injury negligence is a perfect example of claiming on behalf of a loved one. The surgery could take a loved one’s life or leave them unable to make a claim on their own behalf. They may also lack the mental capacity to decide on the surgery or of the alternatives to it.
Your loved one depends wholly on you and the family for care and to fight for their rights. By making a claim on their behalf for needle stick injury, you are fighting for the compensation they deserve.
A No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitor will work with you to win the compensation claim for needle stick injury negligence.
Using A No Win No Fee Solicitor
Using a No Win No Fee solicitor is the only way to a successful needle stick injury negligence compensation claim. Your No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitor will not charge you for a claim you do not win.
Always have a fee agreement in place before engaging a medical negligence solicitor. If they start talking of a ‘win fee’ or a ‘success fee,’ you should walk away. The negligent party insurers should pay all fees.
The medical negligence solicitor should also operate a 100% Compensation Guarantee scheme. When you win the case, all the money awarded should go to you, not the solicitor.
You are the one who suffered the needle stick injury negligence, and you deserve the compensation to get your life back to normal.
Can I make a medical negligence claim against the NHS?
Yes, you can make a medical negligence claim against the NHS. Suing the NHS for negligence is not unusual. People sue the NHS for compensation for medical negligence and receive the money they deserve for the negligent treatment.
There are between 8,000 and 10,000 successful medical negligence claims against the NHS each year—amounts in compensation claims awarded against the NHS range from £1000 to over £10 million.
The amount of compensation you receive covers minor injuries such as scarring to serious life-threatening negligence, which leaves you with long-term care needs.
We trust in and use the NHS daily and do not expect negligence. It happens, though, and the NHS has a dedicated team to handle medical negligence compensation claims, called NHS resolution.
NHS Resolution has a responsibility to treat patients who seek compensation fairly. Patients pay for the NHS through their taxes, and for that they deserve respect and the best medical treatment.
Contact The Medical Negligence Team
Contact the Medical Negligence Team today to discuss your needle stick injury negligence claim for compensation. We have both the legal and medical experts to guide you along the steps to a successful medical negligence claim for compensation.
At the Medical Negligence Team, we fight every compensation claim on a No Win No Fee basis. You will not be out of pocket for an unsuccessful claim.
We have a very high success rate and a reputation for a speedy and successful resolution to all medical negligence cases.
Our 100% Compensation Guarantee puts all the money you win into your pocket. You or your loved one suffered needle stick injury negligence and deserve every penny of the compensation claim.
Contact us at the Medical Negligence Team for all your medical negligence needs.
