Encountering violence or aggression in an environment where your primary goal is to provide care, compassion and support can be overwhelmingly shocking for carers.
Recent reports highlight an alarming number of assaults and harassment against healthcare staff. The NHS staff survey asked workers if they had been the target of inappropriate or offensive behaviour.
In England alone, about one in twelve reported experiencing sexual assault or harassment from patients, patient’s relatives, and other members of the public in 2023.
Employer negligence
Employers have a duty of care to ensure that all working environments are safe, and staff are protected from discrimination, bullying and harassment. Employers must enforce a zero-tolerance approach to any unwanted behaviours in the workplace and provide a way for staff to raise concerns.
At Scott Rees & Co, we’ve encountered numerous cases where employees in care settings have suffered due to workplace assaults, sadly resulting from employer negligence. The breach of duty of care occurs when the employer fails to protect the employee, contributing to their physical or mental harm.
Other common oversights include failing to properly evaluate a service user’s potential for aggression, inadequate staffing, and insufficient training in dealing with aggressive behaviour or in self-defence techniques.
There may also be a failure by the employer to have adequate systems for assistance, for example, no alarms provided, alarms not working or inadequately placed, other employers failing to assist and more.
The consequences of such negligence are not only physical injuries but also long-lasting psychological impacts, which can profoundly affect an individual’s personal and professional life. Such incidents must be reported promptly to ensure that they are officially recorded and that the necessary support mechanisms are activated.
We believe in the importance of creating safe working environments for all employees. If you or someone you know has been a victim of workplace aggression or negligence, it is vital to seek professional legal advice.
Our team at Scott Rees & Co. provides a sensitive, professional service to guide you through the legal process, ensuring that you are fully supported in seeking justice and compensation.
We understand the delicacy of these situations and prioritise your comfort and confidence in your claim. We offer a free consultation to advise you on your first steps.