Violent Injuries That Impact Health Care Workers And Your Rights To Maryland Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Whether you’re a nurse, home health aide, emergency room tech, or medical assistant, the risk of violence on the job is very real. Altercations can happen while helping patients, interacting with families, and performing other work duties, causing serious injuries that impact you for a long time afterward.

If you get hurt due to workplace violence in a healthcare setting, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Our experienced Maryland workers’ compensation attorney explains how injuries can happen and common challenges that jeopardize your rights in a claim.

How Workplace Violence Affects Maryland Healthcare Workers

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics warns that violence in the workplace is an increasingly common problem in Maryland and throughout the U.S., and healthcare workers are among those most at risk. Common hazards doctors, nurses, home health aides, and others in the health care industry often face on the job include:

• Assaults by patients or their families, especially during high-stress procedures or emergencies;
• Injuries while restraining violent or confused individuals;
• Verbal abuse escalating to physical threats or contact;
• Incidents involving security lapses in rehabs and psychiatric or behavioral units.

These situations often go underreported due to fear of retaliation, guilt, or believing it’s “part of the job.” But let’s be clear: it’s not. You are entitled to safety in the workplace and, when violent altercations break out, benefits available through the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC) can help offset your medical bills, lost earnings, and other costs.

Common Challenges When Filing A Maryland Workers’ Compensation Claim Due To Workplace Violence

Workplace violence can happen in any occupation, but the health care industry is at high risk. Injuries that result can leave you unable to work and requiring medical care for long after. While workers’ compensation benefits in Maryland can help cover these costs, common challenges when filing these types of claims include:

• Employers may argue the attack wasn’t “work-related”, especially if there’s any claim the incident was personal or unprovoked.
• Short staffing and a lack of timely incident reports often work against injured health care workers.
• Claims may get delayed by administrative pushback or slow internal investigations.
• Pressure to return to work early can compromise long-term recovery and your rights to benefits.
• Mental health claims (such as anxiety or PTSD) often require extensive documentation and may be denied without strong supporting evidence.

If a third party (such as a visitor or a patient’s family member) was responsible, there may also be conflicts over whether to file a civil lawsuit rather than a Maryland workers’ compensation claim.

To Get The Benefits You Deserve, Contact Our Experienced Maryland Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Health care workers risk their health and safety each day on the job. While workplace injuries happen, Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP helps them get the Maryland workers’ compensation benefits they deserve.

If you were the victim of violence or otherwise suffered work-related injuries, call or contact our office online. Request a confidential consultation today with our experienced Maryland workers’ compensation attorney.

Source:

bls.gov/iif/factsheets/workplace-violence-2021-2022.htm