What is the law on needlestick injuries?
Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013 — applies to healthcare sector; duty to use safety-engineered devices where practicable; safe disposal; training; reporting; COSHH 2002 also applies to blood-borne pathogen exposure
What are the physical and psychological consequences?
Risk of HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, other blood-borne pathogens; waiting period for test results — acute psychological distress; prophylaxis treatment; any actual infection
How is a needlestick injury claim valued?
Where no infection results — primarily psychological distress during waiting period; PTSD if severe; where infection results — full consequential loss claim
What if the patient's blood status was unknown?
Occupational health post-exposure pathway; anxiety during window period is a recognised head of general damages
Related questions
Can I claim for a needlestick injury even if I did not get infected?
Yes. The psychological distress of waiting for test results, and any anxiety about potential infection, is a recognised and compensatable injury. You do not need to have contracted an infection to make a claim.
What if safety-engineered sharps were not provided?
The Sharp Instruments Regulations 2013 require healthcare employers to use safety-engineered devices where practicable. Failure to provide them is a direct breach.
Can you claim? Find out in four quick steps.
Enquiries may be referred to SRA-regulated UK solicitor firms where appropriate. No win, no fee is subject to solicitor assessment of your individual case.
0800 000 0000Where did the accident happen?
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Sources
- Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013
- COSHH 2002
- HSWA 1974
- JCG 17th edition
This answer is editorial information about UK law. It is not legal advice and does not create a solicitor–client relationship. For advice on your circumstances, speak to a regulated personal-injury solicitor.