Needlestick Injury Claims - Needle Stick Injury
A needle stick injury can occur to a medical practitioner for many reasons. There is always an added risk of contamination when a GP is exposed to a dirty needle or other medical tool and in extreme cases, this can result in life-altering diseases that can require thousands of pounds in ongoing medical treatments. Healthcare workers are the most at risk to receive a needle stick and they make up 90% of the needlestick injuries encountered in Scotland.
Needlestick injuries are often referred to as percutaneous injuries which simply means the flesh has been punctured by a medical tool such as a scalpel or needle. Blood borne diseases can make needlestick injuries especially dangerous and one study found that out of 4,830 needle stick injuries reviewed around 30% involved an HIV patient.
Psychological Effects
The psychology effect caused by a needle stick from a terminally ill HIV patient can be severe. There can be days in which the healthcare worker does not know if they are infected with this life-threatening disease. This can cause the injured patient to become depressed as they experience the mental anguish provided by the situation.
Causes of Needle Stick Injuries
The majority of needlestick injuries are caused by the incorrect disposal or storage of needles and other sharp objects. Medical negligence accounts for a small percentage of these injuries. Hospitals have strict policies in place regarding the disposal of hazardous material and wards account for 65% of needle stick injuries.
Individuals outside of the healthcare community can also suffer from an unexpected needle stick as hypodermic needles can be discarded in public places by drug users. These needles have the highest risks of infection and you should seek medical attention immediately if you happen to receive a needle stick from a needle found in a park, alley, toilet, or any public place. Below is a list of other professions that may experience a dangerous needle stick.
- Dentist
- Police Officers
- Prison Officers
- Council Workers
- Waste Disposal Workers
Needlestick Injuries
A needle stick can turn deadly if left untreated. Medical professionals can even cause serious injury if they perform a needlestick haphazardly. This is considered medical negligence and you are entitled to receive compensation for injuries sustained as result of subpar medical attention or a failure to follow proper procedure.
How Claim Solutions Scotland Ltd Can Help
Claim Solutions Scotland Ltd can help you to achieve your compensation goals by guiding you through the entire claims process. Our expert team has years of experience navigating the nuances of the claims process and we will gather the evidence you need to lodge your claim confidently.
Your claim specialist will even negotiate with your caretaker’s insurance company to make sure that you awarded the compensation you are seeking. We will waive 100% of our fees if you are not awarded compensation for your injuries. This is just a small part of how we help our clients focus on the healing process as we ensure your claim is being handled professionally.
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