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Who pays when workplace violence injures employees?

On Behalf of | Feb 3, 2025 | Workers' Compensation |

Some careers are associated with an obvious risk of workplace violence. For example, bouncers at nightclubs and prison guards understand that they are one encounter away from serious injuries. However, violence can affect people in almost any profession. There has been an increase in reports of workplace violence in industries ranging from education to healthcare in recent years.

How can workers hurt by violence on the job cover their medical expenses and lost wages?

Workers’ compensation benefits can help

People injured by a coworker’s assault or an attempted robbery might assume they do not qualify for workers’ compensation. After all, their employers did not cause the situation that led to their injury. Instead, a specific person is responsible.

Contrary to what people sometimes think, fault is not an important consideration when pursuing a workers’ compensation claim. An employee does not need to prove that their employer was at fault. Situations involving accidents or an outside party causing an injury are still eligible for workers’ compensation coverage, as long as there was no “personal animus” that caused the altercation.

Employees can receive a portion of their lost wages while they recover from their injuries. They can also rely on workers’ compensation to cover the cost of their medical care. The same benefits apply to those in jobs associated with violent injury risk, including hospital workers and law enforcement professionals, as to those in less-dangerous careers, such as hotel management or facility maintenance.

Reviewing a situation that led to workplace injuries with a skilled legal team can help employees determine if they are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Violence in the workplace can often lead to a successful workers’ compensation claim.

Reach out to the team at Wolf, Baldwin & Associates, P.C. by clicking here or calling 610-228-4582. We can help employees dealing with the consequences of workplace violence explore their rights and legal options.

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