Needlestick Injury Claims

Needles and sharp objects can cause cuts and puncture wounds. They can also carry various pathogens that can cause severe diseases. If you have suffered an injury or illness that was the fault of another person, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.

If you sustained a needlestick injury at work, there are laws to ensure you receive compensation for your pain, suffering, and financial losses. If your employer has not met their safety obligations and failed in their duty of care to you, which has resulted in a needlestick injury, contact a solicitor to receive the compensation you are legally entitled to.

Call 0800 470 0474 today to speak to a personal injury solicitor and find out if you have a valid needlestick injury claim. You can also request a no-obligation call back using our online claim form.

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By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy. With no win no fee you typically pay 25% of your compensation if your claim is successful, but the fee can vary. Termination fees may apply if you fail to co-operate with your solicitor.

Table of Contents

• What is a needlestick injury?
• What types of workers are at risk of needlestick injuries at work?
• What should I do if I have suffered a needlestick injury?
• What consequences can needlestick injuries have?
• Am I eligible to make a needlestick injury claim?
• Evidence to claim needlestick injury compensation
• Negligence leading to accidental needlestick injuries
• How can needlestick injuries be avoided?
• How do I make a claim for compensation after a needle accident?
• Can I make a personal injury claim against the NHS?
• How much compensation can I claim?
• What are the time limits for making a needlestick injury claim?
• Can I claim compensation on a no win no fee basis?
• Contact a solicitor today for free legal advice

What is a needlestick injury?

A needlestick injury is when a needle or other sharp medical instrument punctures the skin. Also known as a sharps injury or percutaneous injury, this type of wound can be significantly dangerous and have profound health implications for the injured person. Some consequences include exposure to diseases and infection and permanent scarring.

Used needles and medical equipment can be hazardous as they potentially carry many bacteria, diseases, and infections. These are typically used on patients who are sick, and as such, the risk of contracting an illness can be very high. Being punctured by a used needle can cause the spread of major diseases such as Hepatitis, HIV, Mycobacteriosis, Malaria, Syphilis, and Diphtheria, amongst many others.

Most needlestick injuries occur due to improper disposal of used syringes or when health and safety measures are not observed correctly. The potential dangers of needles and sharp objects are so high that any workplace that uses such instruments must dispose of them in specially labelled containers, which should be collected and disposed of separately from other waste materials.

Medical practices, hospitals, and other environments that work with needles should take adequate measures to ensure that all waste instruments are disposed of safely and promptly to minimise or eliminate risks. If they fail to do so, your employer could be liable, and you could make a needlestick injury compensation claim.

What types of workers are at risk of needlestick injuries at work?

Those who regularly work with needles and medical sharps are most likely to suffer from a needlestick injury. These include professionals such as:

• Doctors
• Nurses
• Dentists
• Health workers
• Lab technicians
• Those in refuse roles, such as landfill workers and council staff

However, with over 100,000 sharps injuries in hospitals annually, patients and visitors are also at risk. Unfortunately, needlestick and sharps accidents can readily happen due to a simple oversight in their disposal or if ineffective health and safety measures are in place.

That means anyone in an environment that uses such tools is potentially susceptible to injury. For this reason, hospitals, clinics, medical practices, and related workplaces must be stringent in their observance of guidelines to ensure that others do not suffer an injury. If they breach this duty of care, you may be able to claim needlestick compensation.

Other professions at risk from needlestick injuries include:

• Those related to animal care, such as veterinary staff and zookeepers
• Police and prison officers
• Those who work in tattoo and body piercing saloons

The same guidelines are in place to protect these professions, and a solicitor will be pleased to support anyone who suffered a needlestick injury in their pursuit of the compensation owed to them.

What should I do if I have suffered a needlestick injury?

If you’ve suffered a needlestick injury, it is essential to follow the steps below, whether the object was sterile or of unknown origin:

• Remove the needle and put it somewhere safe
• Wash the wound with plenty of soap
• Hold it under running warm water
• Use gentle pressure to promote bleeding, as this could help remove germs
• Do not scrub or suck the injury
• Dry the wound with something clean
• Cover it with a sterile pad or plaster

After you have taken these first-aid steps, you should seek immediate medical care. Your doctor may recommend antibiotic treatment or give you a vaccine against hepatitis B or tetanus. If there is a high risk of HIV infection, they may also recommend prophylaxis treatment against the virus. Based on the advice of a healthcare provider, you may need to do blood tests over the following months to ensure you did not contract a disease.

You should carefully preserve the needle or sharp object to be analysed later. If you suffered a needlestick accident at work, you should report it to your employer or supervisor. Try to gather as much evidence as possible related to the incident, as this will be essential if you decide to make a needle stick injury claim down the line.

What consequences can needlestick injuries have?

Needlestick injuries can have various immediate and long-term effects. Their severity will depend on factors such as the depth of the wound, the type of needle or sharp object involved, and whether it was contaminated with infectious material.

Some immediate and short-term effects may include:

• Pain and discomfort at the site of injury
• Bleeding, which can vary in severity
• Risk of infection with pathogens like HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C
• Risk of exposure to other harmful substances, such as drugs or chemicals
• Anxiety and stress due to concerns about the risk of infection
• Worry and mental anguish while waiting for test results

Needle accidents can also have devastating long-term effects, such as:

• Chronic infections such as HIV or hepatitis, which may require lifelong medical treatment
• Long-term psychological effects, including anxiety and depression
• Contracting an infectious disease can also affect your relationships and social life
• Career limitations or changes due to health issues
• It can lead to financial problems due to long-term medication and monitoring

If your accident happened due to someone else’s negligence, a solicitor could help you claim compensation for your pain, suffering and financial losses.

Am I eligible to make a needlestick injury claim?

Any person who has suffered a sharps injury through no fault of their own is likely to be able to make a successful needle stick injury claim. To assess your eligibility, your solicitor will ask you a few questions to determine if:

• The defendant in your case owed you a duty of care
• They breached their duty through negligence or wrongdoing
• You suffered an accidental needle stick injury as a result

Please remember that you could start a claim even if you did not develop an illness. The sudden shock of the injury and the anxiety you may experience while waiting for the test results can still seriously impact your health. In the most severe cases, it may even lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Two main situations could lead to compensation for a needlestick injury:

• You could make an accident at work claim if you were injured in the workplace due to an oversight or breach of the health and safety guidelines. In this case, your employer may be liable for damages under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
• You could make a medical negligence claim if you had a needle accident as a patient under the care of a healthcare professional. In this case, your solicitor will consult with medical experts to prove that the care you received was below the reasonable standard expected.

If you have suffered a needlestick injury in any environment and someone else is to blame, a personal injury lawyer could help you secure the compensation you deserve. If you would like a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the details of your case, call 0800 470 0474 or request a call back.

Evidence to claim needlestick injury compensation

If you want to claim compensation following a needlestick injury, you need evidence to prove liability and how the injury has affected you. Your solicitor will help you gather everything you need if you have valid grounds for a claim. The types of evidence that might help include:

• Medical records. With your approval, your solicitor can ask for copies of your medical records to prove the type and extent of your injury. These could also include test results and any treatments you received.
• Psychological assessment. You will need an evaluation from a mental health specialist to claim for any psychological damage caused by your accident.
• Accident report forms. If you had a needle accident doing your job, you should report it to your employer or supervisor. You can ask for a copy of the accident book entry to support your claim.
• Photographs. You should take photos or a video of the accident scene before it is cleared up and any visible injuries during recovery.
• CCTV recordings. If security cameras captured your accident, you have a legal right to request a copy of the footage. However, you should move quickly, as this data is not usually stored for over a month.
• Witness statements. If there were any eyewitnesses, you should take their names and contact details. If the defendant denies liability, their testimony could help support your case.
• Your notes. It would help if you made a written account of the accident and how your injury has affected you.
• Financial evidence. Keep evidence of all the expenses you incurred due to your injury, such as receipts and bank statements.

Negligence leading to accidental needlestick injuries

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002 and other workplace legislation, employers have strict duties towards employees. They must take all reasonable measures to protect them from an accidental needle stick injury, including:

• Carry out regular risk assessments
• Implement health and safety regulations to mitigate risks
• Provide appropriate training and instructions
• Provide adequate PPE or the correct equipment to carry out your job
• Practice good housekeeping
• Provide needle devices with safety features
• Eliminate the use of needles when safer alternatives are available

Many instances of negligence and breach of duty can lead to needle accidents. Typical causes of needlestick injuries include:

• Failure to or incorrect disposal of needles and sharps
• Poor or no training of staff to ensure sufficient knowledge of safe practices
• Failure to provide required disposal units
• Management requesting untrained or unqualified staff to complete tasks
• Failure to protect against related vulnerabilities
• An unsafe working area which leads to falls, overcrowding or related movements that end with a needlestick injury
• Failure to label organic materials or chemicals correctly
• You were left to work on your own with a patient with known aggressive behaviour

You might be entitled to compensation if someone else was at fault for your injury. You can start a needlestick injury claim within three years from the date of your accident.

How can needlestick injuries be avoided?

Injuries from medical sharps are one of the most significant risks for workers in the healthcare system. Even a minor scratch or puncture could mean contact with infectious diseases like HIV or hepatitis C. Such incidents can, however, be reduced considerably by applying measures such as:

• Provide education and training for healthcare workers about the risks associated with sharps and the best practices to avoid injuries;
• Eliminate the unnecessary use of needles and use safer alternatives when possible;
• Establish safe procedures for handling and disposing of sharps;
• Avoid recapping or bending potentially contaminated needles;
• Use devices with safety features that cover or retract the needle after use to reduce the risk of injury;
• Promptly dispose of sharps by using adequate disposal containers that are resistant to cuts and punctures;
• Use personal protective equipment like gloves or gowns, depending on the procedure;
• Never reuse needles or syringes, even for the same patient;
• Ensure proper techniques for administering injections;
• Encourage healthcare workers to report needlestick injuries immediately;
• Make sure healthcare workers are up-to-date with vaccinations for diseases like hepatitis B, which can be transmitted through needle injuries.

How do I make a claim for compensation after a needle accident?

If you decide to start a needlestick injury claim, the first thing you should do is contact one of our personal injury lawyer partners. You will receive a free initial consultation where a legal adviser will review your case and explain the likely outcome and necessary steps to receive the compensation you deserve.

For a successful outcome, your solicitor must demonstrate that someone else was responsible for your injuries and related illnesses. To do this, they will gather as much information from you as possible and begin to gather evidence to support your case.

Your solicitor will work alongside you to gather evidence, including medical records, treatment details, statements and copies of accident records. Once they have built a thorough case, your solicitor will negotiate with the defendant to achieve the highest possible compensation. That may take time, but you could be eligible for interim payments to cover your immediate financial needs.

Can I make a personal injury claim against the NHS?

Yes, you can make a needlestick injury claim against the NHS if you’ve suffered a needle accident while receiving medical treatment or as part of your job within the healthcare system.

To secure needlestick injury compensation from the NHS, you generally need to prove the following:

• Duty of care. The NHS has a duty of care to provide patients and healthcare workers with a safe environment.
• Breach of duty. There was a breach of that duty of care, such as inadequate training, improper disposal of sharps, or negligence that led to the injury.
• Causation. The breach of duty caused or significantly contributed to your needlestick injury.
• Damages. You have suffered physical or psychological harm as a result. This can include the risk of infection, emotional distress, medical expenses, and lost income due to time off work.

NHS Resolution handles all claims against the NHS. Each NHS Trust pays an annual premium to fund NHS Resolution and cover the potential costs of clinical negligence claims. Thus, you have no reason to worry that your claim may affect the funds allocated for patient care.

According to NHS Resolution, they received 1,833 incident claims for needlestick injuries between 2012 and 2017. Of these, 1,213 were successful and cost the NHS £4,077,441. The most common causes leading to an accidental needle stick injury were:

• Failure to adhere to standard infection control measures
• Improper handling and disposal of clinical waste
• Sharps bins exceeding capacity
• Failure to use safer sharps
• Neglecting the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

How much compensation can I claim?

The needlestick injury claim value will depend upon the severity of your injury and related symptoms. Some injuries may have relatively small impacts on your health, whereas others can have significant and devastating results. You may have contracted a life-changing or even life-threatening disease through this type of accident, or you could completely recover but be left with visible scarring.

Your compensation will be based on two classification of losses:

General damages is an award for the pain and suffering caused by your accident. Besides physical pain, it will also include compensation for psychological injuries and other subjective aspects, such as:

• Loss of consortium or companionship
• Loss of a unique career
• Inability to pursue a hobby or social activity
• Reduced quality of life
• Reduced life expectancy

Special damages are compensation for any financial losses the injury caused you to suffer. These can include:

• Loss of wages from having to take time off work
• The cost of any medical treatments required and not covered by the NHS
• Cost of care and assistance, even if provided by a family member
• Any other out-of-pocket expenses, such as taxi fares to and from doctor appointments, for example

Whatever the extent of your injuries and losses, you can rest assured that the solicitors we work with are skilled in achieving the highest compensation possible for each case they work on.

Below are some examples of how much compensation for a needlestick injury you could receive according to the Judicial College guidelines:

• Up to £1,950 for minor injuries such as skin punctures
• Between £3,710 and £94,470 for post-traumatic stress disorder
• In the region of £4,380 for mental anguish
• A lump sum of £50,000 if you were chronically infected with hepatitis C

What are the time limits for making a needlestick injury claim?

If you sustained a needlestick injury, you have three years to make a claim against the person or company responsible. Under the Limitation Act 1980, this time limit begins on the date of your accident. Once this period passes, your claim will no longer be valid.

There are several exceptions to this rule:

If it is your child who has been injured, or you yourself were under the age of 18 at the time of the accident, the time limit is slightly different. In these circumstances, the three-year countdown begins on the person’s 18th birthday. So, you effectively have until you turn 21 to start a claim.

A parent or guardian can claim on behalf of a child before they turn 18, and in most cases, we recommend this as the best course of action. That is because starting your claim as soon as possible after the accident will help to make the process of gathering evidence to support your claim much more accessible.

Another exception applies if the injured person lacks the mental capacity to start legal proceedings. In this case, the time limit is suspended, and a litigation friend could make a compensation claim for them at any time. A person may lack mental capacity due to:

• An intellectual disability like Down syndrome
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• A neurodegenerative condition like Alzheimer’s
• A mental health condition like schizophrenia
• A traumatic brain injury or stroke

Can I claim compensation on a no win no fee basis?

Yes, your personal injury solicitor will happily help you make a no win no fee* needlestick injury claim. Also called a conditional fee agreement, a no win no fee service enables you to start your claim without having to worry about legal costs.

With a 100% no win no fee service, your appointed lawyer will start working on your case immediately without any upfront costs. The whole service will be completely transparent, with absolutely no hidden charges. If the solicitor takes on your claim and cannot secure needle stick injury compensation, you won’t pay them a penny. They only get a success fee of up to 25% of your settlement if they win your case.

Making an injury claim on a no win no fee basis also means you do not have to worry about the costs incurred during litigation, such as:

• Court fees
• Medical reports
• Expert witness fees
• Travel expenses
• Paralegal and other staff time
• Costs of printing and copying

Your claim will include an After the Event (ATE) insurance policy that will cover all these expenses if you lose. Furthermore, it will also pay for the defendant’s legal costs and representation, which you would otherwise be liable for. You only pay the price of the ATE premium if you win the claim, which will be deducted from your compensation award.

Contact a solicitor today for free legal advice

If you have suffered a needlestick injury within the past three years and would like to find out if you have a valid case, call 0800 470 0474. You will receive a free case assessment with an experienced personal injury solicitor.

The case assessment is free of charge and without any obligation to proceed. It is a friendly discussion over the phone where an experienced legal adviser will ask a few questions to get a good understanding of the accident and the injuries you have suffered.

If they can help, you will be offered a 100% no win no fee service. Your lawyer will immediately start the injury claims process to secure the maximum compensation amount for your suffering and financial losses.

To get started, enter your details into the contact form below or call 0800 470 0474.

Last edited on 18th Jul 2025

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.