Needlestick and Workplace Exposure Claims for Healthcare Employees in New York

If you work in healthcare, you already know hazardous situations are part of the job. Whether it’s getting pricked by a needlestick or being exposed to toxic substances, these incidents can happen anytime.

Unfortunately, up to two-thirds of needlestick injuries go unreported by healthcare staff. If you were recently in a similar accident, you don’t need to be sick to report the incident to your supervisor. It protects your ability to file a workers’ comp claim later if symptoms actually develop. Learn more about what counts as reportable exposure and steps to take if you’re ever in this situation.

What Counts As A Reportable Exposure For Healthcare Workers

Not every exposure is a major accident. Sometimes, even light contact with blood can be enough to cause issues later on. A few examples include:

• Needlesticks or cuts from used sharps
• Splashes of blood or bodily fluids to the eyes, nose, mouth, or broken skin
• Exposure to infectious diseases (hepatitis, HIV, MRSA, etc.)
• Contact with hazardous medications, including chemotherapy drugs

Just because you don’t feel any symptoms doesn’t mean you’re automatically safe. If it involves a needle, a fluid, or a substance that isn’t supposed to touch your skin, report it immediately.

Steps To Take For Workplace Exposure Accidents

Clean The Exposure Site

Once you’re safe, wash the affected area with soap and water. If your eye or mucous membrane was affected, flush it out with water or saline solution. The faster you remove the contaminant, the lower the risk of developing an occupational disease.

Report It To Your Supervisor

The earlier you tell your employer about the incident, the better. Don’t wait until you actually start seeing symptoms to speak up. Delayed reporting is one of the easiest ways for an insurer to challenge a claim later.

Seek Medical Help

Ideally, you should get medical attention the same day. A provider will typically do an initial evaluation to get a full picture of your medical condition. Depending on the situation, you may also need follow-up testing over the following weeks or months.

Document Everything

Evidence is everything in a workers’ compensation case. Write down what happened and when the accident occurred. Keep copies of any incident reports and take down statements from anyone present at the time. The more relevant proof you have, the easier it’ll be to qualify for benefits.

Why You Should Notify Your Employer Even If You’re Fine

It might be tempting to ignore an exposure accident if it was minor. But with some infections having long latency periods, today’s accident might not affect you for weeks. This is why we recommend reporting everything as soon as you can. Waiting until later can cause problems if you’re not careful. Your employer’s insurance company may also use your delay as a way to minimize or outright deny benefits.

Protect Your Future Workers’ Comp Claim

An exposure incident can turn into a fight with your employer’s insurer down the line, even when you did everything right. This is where hiring an experienced lawyer comes in. Our New York workers’ compensation attorneys will fight for your rights and ensure you get the benefits you’re entitled to. Please contact us online or at 855-208-7852 for a free consultation today.