Nurses and patient care workers understand the confusion and frustration that patients experience while in a hospital setting. Dementia-related violence is prevalent in nursing homes. Most public and private care employees in anticipate being struck, spit upon, yelled at, or cursed by patients or other staff members.
There are no federal laws protecting health care workers from workplace violence, but voluntary actions are available to avoid it. Victims of workplace violence create eligibility for workers’ comp claims, and some states take criminal action against the offenders. Family members of patients have physically hurt health care workers, and they can be held criminally responsible.
How staffing shortages contribute to workers’ comp claims
There has been an increased shortage of health care workers, and those who show up are at greater risk. Short tempers and violent outbursts leave many vulnerable to attacks. Workers’ comp benefits pay for treatment and lost wages, but some injuries are long-term and result in additional staff shortages.
Patients seeking pain relief may vent their frustrations on the nursing staff, increasing invisible wounds such as stress, anxiety and depression. Workers’ comp shows a consistent rise in claims for benefits due to health care workers being unable to cope with the stresses of workplace demands. Many workers try to push through while others are too seriously injured to continue working.
Should you file for workers’ comp if you’re injured at work?
Workers’ comp is a workplace insurance plan that pays the medical costs of your work injury. It also pays for a portion of your lost wages while you’re in recovery. You should notify your employer immediately if you experience an injury from work.