Physical Assault Injury Lawyers

Physical Assault

Nursing isn't easy, but it's even harder when a nurse becomes a victim of physical assault in his or her own workplace. Though out-of-control patients come with the territory, every nurse has the right to safety in the workplace – and assaults can be humiliating, dangerous, and even deadly. Read on for more information on physical assault and nurses' legal rights.

Physical assault can occur in home and clinical settings and in patients of all ages, including the elderly, those suffering from dementia, children, and mentally ill patients. Risk factors include the rising number of patients released from medical treatment without proper supervision or care, decreased staffing levels, and the prevalence of handguns and other weapons in unmonitored clinical and home settings.

No matter what the profile of the patients, physical assault can be extremely dangerous, even deadly. Most nurses are provided with training on how to deal with attempted physical assault, and many states offer course for psych and emergency room nurses who are likely to encounter violence in the workplace. However, a nurse can't always be prepared for the circumstances surrounding an assault.

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Act provides for workplaces free of the risk of death or serious physical harm, and employers are required to take reasonable action to abate assaults. In addition, many state have specific laws applying to violence in clinical settings. However, when physical assault happens it can be hard to reconstruct the events leading up to the assault and to assign responsibility to the patient, the employer, and/or other parties. In these cases, it is best for a nurse to employ an experienced nursing assault injury attorney with expertise in nursing injury and physical assault to help seek compensation for physical and emotional damage sustained as a result of the assault, especially given the fact that such cases often combine law enforcement and a civil component.

At Anapol Schwartz, we know that a workplace assault can shatter a nurse's confidence and affect her career, her health, and even her survival. And we're here to help you fight back. Contact one of our experienced attorneys today for more information on your legal rights when it comes to physical assault. Your consultation is free, confidential, and available now.

CALL TODAY 866.735.2792