Have a question? Call us on 0800 1979 345
Have a question? Call us on 0800 1979 345
This article was published on June 29th, 2022
Healthcare workers are exposed to a variety of possible hazards on a daily basis, but violence should not be one of them. However, unfortunately, an increasing number of healthcare workers are suffering personal injuries as a result of violence at work. This article will explain what workplace violence is, your employer’s duty of care to you and what you should do if you have been injured due to violence at work.
Workplace violence is any physical assault, the threat of physical assault or any other form of aggressive behaviour that takes place in the workplace. It can include threats, verbal abuse and physical violence. Whilst workplace violence is rare, it can happen anywhere and to anyone.
Many people believe that due to the nature of working in healthcare, particularly if they work in a care home or mental health facility, that violence is just something that they have to deal with. However, this is a common misconception. If you have suffered a personal injury due to violence at work, you may be entitled to compensation.
All employers, as required by the law, have a duty of care to their employees. This is applicable across all working environments and the healthcare industry is no different. This means that anyone that is managing a healthcare facility should ensure that they have completed a risk assessment and have put safeguards in place to ensure that their healthcare facility is free of risks that could injure their employees, including protection against assault from a resident or patient.
As part of their duty of care, your employer should provide you with appropriate training and equipment. They should also ensure that the workplace has policies in place to prevent violent incidents. If your employer fails to do this and you have suffered a violent attack as a result, you may be entitled to compensation and we can help.
The first and most important thing you should do if you have suffered a personal injury as a result of violence at work is to take photographs of your injuries and file a formal report. Photographic evidence is essential if you are to have a successful personal injury claim. You should also make a note of any healthcare staff that may have witnessed the assault along with their statements and contact details.
Once you have filed a report and had your injuries assessed, you should contact an experienced personal injury solicitor for advice on making a claim. Here at Thorneycroft Solicitors, we offer a free initial discussion with one of our expert solicitors where we will advise you on the viability of your compensation claim.
Our specialist personal injury team are experts at dealing with all types of workplace injuries including those that have occurred as a result of violence. We will provide you with advice on the steps you need to take and work with you to gather evidence to support your personal injury claim. To successfully file a claim for violence at work, you would need to demonstrate that your injuries occurred as a result of your employer’s negligence.
If you have suffered a personal injury as a result of violence from a patient or resident that could have been prevented, get in touch today. To speak to a member of our experienced team of solicitors, call FREEPHONE 0800 1979 345, or complete our simple enquiry form and we can call you back at a time to suit you.
