Regardless of your chosen occupation, you are certain to encounter one facet of employment that is universal across all fields. There is no place of business or kind of enterprise that does not create or depend upon interpersonal relationships in at least some measure. The confinement of an office or jobsite compels co-workers to spend a considerable amount of their time each day and week in the presence of others who may have little in common apart from their vocational training and interest. Some kinds of employment require workers to interact with customers, further expanding the interconnectedness of a job. Unfortunately, there are times when the inherently social nature of work can facilitate tragedy, and the ongoing threat of workplace violence highlights this point of concern.

Though more traditionally considered occupational dangers such as heavy machinery, unsafe working conditions, and sheer physical exertion are typically more likely to result in injury, it should be noted that workplace violence is annually among the leading causes for the filing of a workers’ compensation claim. Random acts of violence or intentional aggression may be perpetrated by a person’s peers, employers, disgruntled customers, the associates of any of these parties, or even by completely unattached individuals. In workplaces where there is an incentive for someone to commit a crime such as robbery there is an elevated level of danger, but there is no place of business that can be considered to be wholly insulated from the threat of violence.

Transparent and Hidden Consequences of Violence

It is a well documented fact that witnessing or being subjected to violence in one’s life can dramatically impact a person’s future mental and social health. Though there may be physical scars associated with an attack, the invisible psychological scars are typically much more deeply troubling. There can be no tolerance for acts of violence, and the need for civil justice is rendered especially apparent when one considers just a few of the potential effects of workplace violence, such as:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Gunshot wounds
• Stab wounds
• Clinical depression
• Severe anxiety disorders
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
• Social withdrawal
• Compromised physical capacities

Benefits May Be DueSome workers may be unaware that injuries incurred by violence in the workplace might qualify them to file a claim to receive workers’ compensation benefits. To consult with a skilled and experienced attorney about your case, contact the Fayetteville workers’ compensation lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick, P.L.L.C.

James Witherspoon