Illinois workers who suffer injuries or become ill due to hazardous work conditions may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. In addition to workplace accidents and other safety issues, violence-related injuries could also serve as valid grounds for a workers’ compensation claim.
Workplace violence isn’t an issue that people discuss on a regular basis, but it’s a valid concern for workers across all industries and in every type of job. If you or a loved one suffered injuries due to the violent actions of another person or co-worker, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. An experienced lawyer can help you understand how to secure what you need for a full and fair recovery.
What falls in the category of workplace violence?
Workplace violence includes any action or threats of violence, physical harm or other types of disruptive behavior. This can include the following:
- Threats of physical harm
- Verbal abuse
- Physical assaults
- Homicide
Workplace violence may be more prevalent than you think. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, workplace violence constitutes the fourth leading cause of fatal injuries to workers. Everyone risks injury if a person becomes violent in your place of work, including employees, managers and even visitors or customers.
Who is vulnerable to workplace violence?
Anyone could end up the victim of workplace violence. This creates a major concern for all employers, and they bear the responsibility of reducing risks and enforcing safety as much as possible. However, it’s impossible to predict what people will do, and when violent acts occur, you should take steps to know your rights and determine what to do next.
Certain occupations and industries present more of a risk for workplace violence, and these may include:
- Health care providers
- Law enforcement
- Public service workers
- Customer service agents
- People who work alone or in small groups
Safety training and recognizing potentially dangerous situations, as well as having a zero-tolerance policy for violence, may reduce the risk of injury in even those jobs considered the most dangerous.
What should I do if I was hurt at work?
Suffering injuries due to workplace violence could impact your ability to continue with your job due to either physical or emotional trauma. Your rights as an employee include the right to necessary medical care, recompense for lost wages and other expenses that occurred as a result of your work injury. However, it is not always easy to actually secure these benefits.
Victims of workplace violence will find great benefit in working with an experienced attorney in order to protect their rights, file a workers’ compensation claim and fight back against any delays or denied claims.
