Physical Abuse and Assault in the Workplace
Although there are a wide variety of laws and regulations designed to make workplaces safer, you cannot completely get rid of assaults in the work place. While it’s possible for assaults to happen in almost any kind of workplace, they tend to be more common among:
- Care assistants
- Nurses
- Security guards
- Prison officers
Regardless of the nature of your job, your employer has a duty of care to safeguard their workers and to do everything possible to keep them from harm. If your employer has put you at risk of a foreseeable or unnecessary injury, or has failed to adequately protect you, you may be eligible to claim compensation for pain and suffering caused.
Your employer may be held responsible for an assault at work if:
- They ignore previous violent behaviour from a co-worker, patient or client who later attacks you
- They have left you to work alone, leaving you in a vulnerable situation
- You have not been given adequate training to deal with hostile situations
You have not been provided with adequate personal protective equipment (PPE)