Workplace violence happens far too often. The phenomenon is eroding the confidence people once had that their places of work are safe.
According to recent news reports, about two million U.S. workers per year experience workplace violence in one form or another. Unsurprisingly, many of the incidents, including several in and near Coachella Valley, result in serious on-the-job injuries and even fatalities.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says workplace violence is “any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the worksite.”
While the news media often focuses on stories about disgruntled workers who go on violent rampages at their jobs, it is more likely that perpetrators will come from outside the workplace. Robberies are far more common than violence by co-workers, a news report states.
The occupation that has the most workers injured by violence is not law enforcement, but retail sales, with about 330,000 workers attacked each year, according to data in the National Crime Victimization Survey.
OSHA stresses that workplace violence can happen anywhere and that it is now one of the leading causes of work-related fatalities.
One of the important steps employers can take to secure workplaces is to install surveillance cameras, along with key- or badge-required entry. Security guards can also help defuse or stop work violence.
No matter how you have been injured on the job, matters become even worse for you when you are denied California workers’ compensation. Contact a skilled Coachella Valley workers’ comp attorney experienced in waging effective appeals.