*Photograph: Sean Curtin / True Media

A JUDGE has awarded a retired HSE multi-task hospital attendant €10,000 compensation for an injury sustained from a used COVID-19 vaccination needle stick to a middle finger.

At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Patrick Quinn said that he was “being as generous as he could be and being as fair as I can be to both parties ” in making the €10,000 award to Peter Rogers (67) of Doon, Tubber, Co Clare.

Mr Rogers who worked at St Joseph’s Hospital in Ennis was suing the HSE and St Joseph’s Hospital and liability was admitted and the case was before the court for the quantum of damages only.

In evidence, Mr Rogers said that “Covid-19 needles” were being used to give vaccinations to patients in the Church at St Joseph’s Hospital in January 2021.

Counsel for Mr Rogers, Sheila Finn BL said that Mr Rogers suffered “a significant puncture wound from a used needle into the right middle finger” on January 25th 2021.

Mr Rogers sustained the injury when moving a sharps needle bin which was in the wrong place in a shed and the needle was wrongfully exposed at the top of the bin.

Mr Rogers removed the needle immediately but was bleeding severely. Mr Rogers went to Ennis General Hospital where the finger wound was dressed.

Ms Finn said that Mr Rogers was told by a medic that he was at risk of Hepatitis C and HIV and to avoid sexual intercourse with his wife and it took eight weeks for blood test results to come back when Mr Rogers was given the all clear.

In evidence, Mr Rogers said that “I got a shock” after sustaining the needle prick injury.

He told the court, “It was very sore and I was very nervous and worried about the Covid-19 needle”.

Mr Rogers said that the injury made him “very agitated and very ratty” at home. He said that was “living in fear every day” of contracting a similar injury.

He confirmed that he made five visits to his GP in 2021 concerning the needle injury. Mr Rogers went back to work the same day after receiving hospital treatment. He did not sleep that night.

The court was told that the pain in his right middle finger intensified in the days after the accident and Mr Rogers went off sick from work from January 28th to February 15th. The finger was now swollen and stiff.

Mr Rogers retired in June of this year unconnected to the needle stick injury and he told the court: “I am a different man now. I am happy”.

Judge Quinn said that for some reason, Mr Rogers’s solicitors referred him to a psychologist who found that two and a half years after the needle injury he was described as having mild to moderate Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

However, a psychologist for the HSE found that Mr Rogers on examination had no features of PTSD but did develop a degree of worry after the accident which was understandable. On examination no evidence was found of Mr Rogers sustaining any psychiatric injury, the report found.

Related News

chloe jake corry 1
Record number of 350 cyclists for Odd Socks Cycle in Clare
maxresdefault
Clare-based podcast ‘Weshtern Philosophy’ returns for season 3
galway arts centre 1
Six month pilot launched to provide greater access to arts & culture
fire harmony row 02-04-25
Emergency crews tackle blaze in Ennis

Advertisement

Latest News
clare v limerick minor 18-04-24 graham ball 1
Clare minor hurlers looking to make their mark as championship commences
diarmuid mcmahon
McMahon to become Ennis Chamber President for second time
galway arts centre 1
Six month pilot launched to provide greater access to arts & culture
clare v waterford u20 04-05-24 james organ 1
Organ helps Clare grind out win over Waterford
fire harmony row 02-04-25
Emergency crews tackle blaze in Ennis
Premium
claire joe collins 1
'Check upstairs & outside' - inquest hears details on death of Kilnaboy couple
john carmody 2
Antrim were deserving league winners says Carmody as Clare fall short
clare v cork u20 26-03-25 diarmuid stritch 1
Clare target better shooting efficiency & first championship win for Déise date
cork v clare u20 01-05-25 evan cahill 1
Clare's U20 footballers lose by nine points to Cork in Quilty
clare v limerick u20 22-03-25 luke pyne 1
Clare U20 footballers 'relishing chance' to play three more games in Munster

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement