Healthcare Workers and Workplace Violence

Healthcare workers face a variety of occupational hazards in the workplace. They can be exposed to infections, radiation, or chemicals. A trip, slip, or fall can lead to injury. And they face risk of impairment when moving, lifting, or transferring patients. But a growing concern for workers in the health sector is violence and other forms of harassment, ranging from threats to abuse.

A 2024 analysis by Texas Mutual Insurance Company concluded that “healthcare workers are 10 times more likely to be victims of workplace violence.” OSHA similarly noted that “healthcare accounts for nearly as many serious violent injuries as all other industries combined.” And according to a 2018 study by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare workers accounted for 73% of all nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses caused by violence.

Workplace Violence in the Healthcare Field

When physicians, nurses, and CNAs (certified nursing assistants) are attacked at work, it can take many forms. Physical violence includes the likes of shoving, kicking, slapping, using a weapon, and so on. There are many factors that contribute to agitation and violent behavior for patients in hospitals, emergency departments, and other healthcare facilities. Along with the pain inherent to injuries and illnesses, patients can face anxiety from their unfamiliar surroundings or desperation from an unfavorable prognosis. Medication and drugs may also affect a patient’s mind or mood in unpredictable and sometimes adverse ways.

Healthcare workers not only have to work with patients in such conditions, but also with friends and family members of the patients. These visitors bring a wide variety of expectations and attitudes with them, and certain stresses tied to a patient’s situation can lead to raised tensions. Stress points may include staff shortages, poor communication, overcrowding, strict visiting hours, long waiting times, and language barriers. Other discomforts could include temperature, noise level, or food quality.

Methods to Help Avoid Workplace Violence

There are ways healthcare workers can set boundaries with aggressive patients or visitors:

• Effective communication — keep calm and use clear phrasing, maintain safe distance
• Setting expectations — firmly state what is or isn’t acceptable behavior, enforce consequences
• Health management system — refer to support documentation and safety guidelines
• Workplace violence prevention — assist in training, hazard identification, program evaluation, worksite analysis
• Keep records — document incidents, use flagging systems, alert staff, report to supervisors

What to Do If You Are a Healthcare Worker Hurt on the Job

Get the medical care you need and report your injury to your supervisor, the sooner the better. And remember that what appears to be a minor injury can turn into something worse, so don’t wait to report it even if it seems like a minor event. Document the incident in detail, fill out the workers’ compensation forms necessary, and keep any records that are applicable to your situation. Witness statements, emails or texts related to the incident or injury, medical records, and photographs of the injury or location of the incident may all be helpful for your case.

Then in the event your claim is denied or underpaid, consult with an attorney who specializes in workers’ compensation. At Rose Legal, workers’ compensation is all we do. Our attorneys are experienced in representing injured healthcare workers, helping them get the benefits they are entitled to. For a free consultation, email legal@workcomputah.com or call 801-810-7673.