Compensation recovered for needlestick injury following injection with a used needle

Meg Pratt, specialist clinical negligence lawyer, acting for the claimant, successfully obtained compensation for the ‘needlestick injury’ sustained as a result of Mrs L being injected with a used needle whilst undergoing her Covid-19 vaccination.

While attending her local Covid-19 vaccination centre for her second vaccination, Mrs L was injected with a needle that had been used for a previous patient’s vaccine.

Mrs L was advised to immediately attend A&E to initiate investigations into any bloodborne diseases she may have contracted as a result of the needlestick injury; for instance, HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

The defendant trust undertook an internal investigation process, identifying a number of shortcomings which had led to the incident, namely failures: to check the syringe before administering this, to establish where the sharps bin was located and to ensure adequate support and supervision of vaccinators.

The specialist clinical negligence team were instructed to bring a claim for compensation and did so on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis.

Mrs L continued to undergo tests to assess for any contracted diseases over the following months. During this time, Mrs L suffered from stress, migraines, sickness and disorientation, with tremors and palpitation. She was commenced on medication to manage her anxiety.

After numerous investigations, Mrs L received the ‘all clear’ 9 months later, with reassurance that she had not contracted any bloodborne diseases.

Evidence was obtained from an expert psychiatrist to assess the cause and extent of the psychiatric injury Mrs L had suffered as a result of the negligent needlestick injury.

Mrs L’s case was put to the defendant in a formal letter of claim. The defendant admitted liability at an early stage and an out-of-court settlement of damages was obtained to compensate Mrs L for her pain, suffering and loss of amenity, as well as future treatment costs to manage her psychiatric injury.

Meg Pratt  specialises in personal injury cases.  If you would like to ask Meg a question about a potential case, or if you have a general query about any clinical negligence, contact Meg Pratt at Thomson Snell & Passmore solicitors on 01892 701197 in confidence. We offer no win no fee agreements on the vast majority of our clinical negligence and personal injury cases.