Workplace Violence is a Serious Problem
Hospitals are supposed to be places of calm and healing. Instead, they have become one of the most violent workplaces. Stories abound about patients or their loved ones becoming violent with healthcare workers who are just trying to do their jobs. Many of these stories end with the employee getting injured while trying to perform basic care procedures. The problem has gotten so bad that some hospitals have started installing metal detectors in order to keep weapons from making their way into the halls.
Patient Outbursts Become Violent
Some patients simply cannot control their actions. In one instance, a nurse who was punched while on the job. The nurse was treating a patient who had a bleed in her brain, causing her to act out in uncontrollable ways. Even though the patient had her arms and legs restrained, she still managed to break free and take a violent swing at the nurse. Thankfully, the nurse managed to get out of the way just in time – she suffered just a glancing blow to the jaw – but the damage was done. The healthcare worker was left with anxiety and flashbacks due to the incident.
Patient’s Families Can Cause Problems
It’s understandable for the family to be upset when a patient arrives at the hospital in poor condition. However, there is no excuse for some of their actions. The patient’s family members shouldn’t need to be restrained by the hospital guard after being told bad news. It isn’t right for them to take a swing at the doctor or nurse delivering the news.
On top of this, some hospital visitors attempt to sneak in weapons, such as guns and knives. Other try to bring pepper spray into the building. In many cases, these actions are stopped by the security guards and the metal detectors, but what happens if the hospital has neither of these?
Hospital Violence Shouldn’t Occur
Doctors and nurses deal with trauma every day as they assist patients. The additional strain and worry caused by patients and their loved ones acting in a violent manner can be the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. If you are a healthcare provider or worker and have been the victim of, or have witnessed a violent attack while on the job, you may be eligible for compensation. Call me and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
DISCLAIMER “Please understand the slogan, I’ll Make Them Pay!® is not a guarantee of payment. Both liability and real damages must be proven with a preponderance of the evidence.”
