The amount of compensation awarded for a sharps injury varies widely. It seems to make some, but not much, difference if the courts get involved compared with the scale of an out of court settlement. But payments range from about £2k up to around £15k, with far less payments of up to £50k. These latter payments are generally awarded to healthcare workers; indeed, one young doctor at a west London teaching hospital accepted a settlement of almost £1 million though that was clearly exceptional and ‘negotiated’ by one of the immensely powerful medical defence bodies.

It seems that the scale of payment rises in proportion to the seniority of the victim. A waste handler or ancill;ary worker might expect payment in the lowest band while a senior healthcare worker will be far better paid. This scale sets aside any consideration of the severity of injury, or of the outcome and risk of infection or severe psychological harm.

It’s not fair, but perhaps life is like that. But at least one council worker who suffered a nasty needlestick injury was awarded £47,000.