Dr Carl Wunderlich, who died in 1877, is famous for his measurement of average healthy body temperature of 37°C. (98.6°F). Using a thermometer reputedly a foot in length - and needing 20 minutes to register the temperature – he tested around 25,000 patients and took over 1 million readings. He was at the forefront of medical science for his time but his “normal body temperature” of 37°C has gradually been seen as an oversimplification of reality. In fact, normal temperature is actually a range because no two human bodies are the same. In addition, we all react differently to external factors and disease. Body temperature can also vary according to: how much we’ve eaten; our stress levels; hormones; and different levels of exercise. Something – normal body temperature - that, at a glance, seems simple turns out to be much more complicated. And this is also the case with the human knee. On the face of it, the knee simply joins the top of the leg with the bottom of the leg. Continue Reading
How much compensation for a needlestick injury?
“I had finished cleaning the floor and was just doing a final check before going for my break. I noticed I had missed some scrunched up toilet paper lying on the floor in one of the cubicles. As I picked the papers up with my right hand, I suddenly felt a burning pain between my index finger and my thumb. When I looked at my hand, I could see there was a needle which had pierced my skin there. It must have been hidden in the bundle. I was stunned and felt physically sick. I was so shocked I had to sit down for 10 minutes until I got my wits back.” Needlestick injuries are one type of “sharps” injury. A sharps injury happens when a needle, blade (e.g. a scalpel) or other medical instrument penetrates the skin. It's a frightening injury because even a pinprick can have such significant consequences for your health. Who is at risk? This type of injury is an occupational hazard if you work in the health or social care sector, especially for those who directly handle sharps. In our Continue Reading
Claims for Compensation after Assault
Most of our articles dealing with claims for personal injury cover injuries which have been caused as the result of someone’s negligence. In other words, the injuries were not caused intentionally. But what about situations where you have been injured because someone deliberately assaulted you? As a victim of crime you may be able to claim compensation. So what mechanisms exist to deal with claims for compensation after assault? Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is a Government body set up to deal with these claims. Elgibility rules and exclusions There are strict rules on eligibility and certain factors can exclude you from making a CICA claim. However, you may be entitled to make a CICA claim if you have been a victim of violent crime or if you were injured while trying to prevent a crime or stop a criminal or while assisting a police officer. Being resident in the UK can be important as there are some Continue Reading