Needlestick injury claims

A needlestick injury can be a frightening experience, with real concerns about your health and what comes next. If your injury was caused by negligence, you may be entitled to make a claim. Our specialist team will guide you through the process clearly, and at a pace that works for you.

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Reviewed by

Stephen Hussey

Associate, Head of Personal Injury

Additional content

Jenny Stevenson

Associate & Head of Personal Injury

Last Updated

22nd July 2026

Can I make a needlestick injury claim?

You could make a needlestick injury claim if you were punctured or scratched by a needle or sharp object at work – and your employer failed to take reasonable steps to protect you. Needlestick injuries are most common in healthcare and laboratory settings, but they can also occur in recycling facilities, waste management centres, and any other workplace where sharps are used.

Your employer has a legal duty to protect your health and safety while you’re at work. If they failed to provide adequate training, safe equipment, or proper disposal methods, and you suffered a needlestick injury as a result, you might be able to claim compensation.

Common situations that might lead to a needlestick injury claim include; inadequate training on handling sharps safely, overflowing or poorly maintained sharps boxes, cluttered or poorly organised workspaces, failure to provide needle guards or safety syringes, and improper disposal of used needles.

If this sounds like you, you might be entitled to legal support. In most cases, you have three years from the date of your injury to make a claim, though there are exceptions. Our specialist team can help you understand if you have a case.

Example of a needlestick injury claim

A healthcare worker might accidentally puncture their finger with a used needle while disposing of sharps at the end of a shift, because the sharps box was full and no replacement had been provided. They might then need to be tested or treated for potential infections – which could have an adverse and lasting effect on their health. If their employer had not followed proper disposal procedures or provided adequate equipment, this could form the basis of a valid needlestick injury claim.

Related needlestick injury claims we support

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What compensation can help with

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Covering the cost of treatment and the impact on your health.

Injuries from needlesticks and sharps pose serious health risks – including the risk of infection, and the transmission of HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. To mitigate these risks, it is crucial for employers to put proper safety protocols in place, provide appropriate training, and make sure the right safety devices and disposal methods are in place and clear to all workers.

Compensation is designed to acknowledge what happened to you, and also provide access to the treatment and practical care you might need. Successful needlestick injury claims may help fund:

Medical testing, monitoring, and treatment costs
Prescription costs and ongoing medication
Psychological support and counselling
Loss of earnings while you were unable to work
Future loss of earnings if your capacity to work has been affected
Pain, suffering, and the impact on your quality of life
Any other out-of-pocket expenses related to your injury

Understanding the potential value

Needlestick injury claims where a serious infection has been transmitted, or where there has been a significant and lasting effect on your health and livelihood, may carry a higher value. Our team can provide a clear and honest assessment of what your claim may be worth once we understand your situation. The value of a needlestick injury claim depends on a range of factors, including whether you contracted an infection, the severity of any health impact, how your injury has affected your ability to work, and the level of ongoing treatment or monitoring you require.

Understanding special and general damages

The settlement for your needlestick injury claim is made up of general damages and special damages. General damages address the non-financial impact of your injury, including pain and suffering and the effect on your day-to-day life. Special damages cover the specific financial losses you can evidence, from medical treatment and rehabilitation costs to lost income and travel expenses. Our team will make sure both are carefully calculated and properly reflected in your claim.

Specialist needlestick injury solicitors

Our team specialises in accident at work claims, including needlestick injury cases.

Why choose Fletchers for your needlestick injury claim?

Your employer is legally required to protect you while you are at work. They should prioritise your health, safety, and welfare within reasonable limits. If you;ve suffered a needlestick injury because of your employer’s negligence, having the right team around you who can understand the complexities of employers' liability law, is really important. We’ve handled a wide range of accident at work claims, including needlestick injuries across healthcare, laboratory, and other workplace settings. We combine legal expertise with genuine care, so you always know what is happening and what comes next.

Expertise you can rely on

Specialist accident at work solicitors with experience handling sharps and needlestick injury claims
Ranked by Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners as a leading personal injury law firm in the UK
Our Employers and Public Liability team has secured compensation for many people injured at work
We’ll give you clear, honest advice on whether you have a claim with no financial commitment required
We handle every part of the process, so you can focus on your health and recovery
‘No Win, No Fee’ claims, so you pay nothing upfront, and nothing at all if your claim is unsuccessful

You're not alone

We understand what you're going through.

A needlestick injury brings with it a level of anxiety that goes beyond the physical pain. Many clients have come to use after a needlestick injury with genuine concerns about their long-term health and wellbeing. The uncertainty of waiting for test results, worrying about what you may have been exposed to, and not knowing how your health might be affected can feel overwhelming – on top of managing day-to-day life.

It’s natural to feel unsure if you have a claim, and be worried about the consequences of taking action against your employer. These are completely understandable feelings, and we want to guide you through these challenges with honest advice, expert insights and real compassion.

It’s important to understand that you don’t need to have all the answers before you speak to us. From our first conversation, we’ll take on the hard work, deal with the other side, gather evidence, and manage every step of the legal process so – that you can focus on your recovery. We will help you understand what has happened, whether you have a claim, and what to do next.

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FAQs about needlestick injury claims

How long do I have to make a needlestick injury claim?

In most cases, you have three years from the date of your needlestick injury to make a claim. For those who were under 18 at the time of the injury, the three-year period starts on their 18th birthday. There are other exceptions too, so if you are unsure whether you are still within the time limit, speak to us for further guidance.

How much does it cost to make a needlestick injury claim?

We handle needlestick injury claims on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis. This means there is nothing to pay upfront, and if your claim is unsuccessful, you will not be charged for our services. You only pay a legal fee if your claim succeeds, and the percentage is agreed with you in advance.

You can find out whether you have a claim without any financial commitment; just get in touch, and we will talk you through your options.

What evidence will I need for a needlestick injury claim?

The evidence that helps support a needlestick injury claim can include an accident report or record of the incident, medical records relating to your injury and any subsequent testing or treatment, and records of any training (or lack of training) you received on handling sharps. It can also be helpful to have evidence of the conditions at the workplace, such as the state of sharps disposal equipment.

We will help you identify and gather the evidence needed, so you don’t have to manage this alone.

What are the health risks of a needlestick injury?

Needlestick injuries carry a risk of exposure to bloodborne infections, including HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. The actual risk will depend on the circumstances of the injury and what the needle had been used for.

If you suffer a needlestick injury, the NHS recommends encouraging the wound to bleed under running water, washing it thoroughly with soap and water, covering it with a waterproof dressing, and seeking urgent medical advice. You should also contact your employer’s Occupational Health service.

Early medical attention is important, as treatment to reduce the risk of infection may be available.

Can I make a claim if the needlestick injury was partly my fault?

Possibly, yes. Even if you feel that you may have played some part in the incident, your employer still has a duty to provide adequate training, safe equipment, and proper procedures. If they failed to do this, they may still be liable, or partially liable, for your injury. This is sometimes referred to as contributory negligence, which means responsibility is shared.

We will assess your specific situation and give you an honest view of your case’s success rate.

Can I change solicitor if I am already using another firm?

Yes. You have every right to decide who represents you in a compensation claim. If you are concerned about the level of expertise or service you are receiving from your current solicitor, you’re entitled to seek a second opinion and switch to a different firm if you choose.

Using a firm without the necessary specialist experience can affect the outcome of your case, so it’s important to have the right team behind you.