Workplace violence is a serious issue for both employees and employers alike in the U.S. While workplace violence can involve threats of physical harm or even verbal abuse (both of which can create lasting psychological damage), in its most severe forms, workplace violence can cause people to sustain serious injuries, permanent impairments and potentially even fatal injuries. 

Every year, more than 2 million workers in the U.S. are the victims of workplace violence. When these injuries occur, the injured will likely be entitled to compensation.

Here and in an upcoming second part of this blog, we’ll take a closer look at some workplace violence facts and statistics to highlight the prevalence of this danger in the workplace, as well as what employers can do to protect their employees and create a safe on-the-job environment for them.

Workplace Violence Statistics

The following workplace violence statistics have been compiled and presented by various reputable agencies, including (but not limited to) the Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

• Every year in the U.S., nearly 2 million workers are victimized by some type of workplace violence. Researchers actually believe that there are far more victims of workplace violence in the American workforce, as many of these incidents are believed to go unreported (due to, for instance, the fear of reprisal or the embarrassment of being victimized).
• More than 11 percent of all fatal occupational injuries sustained by U.S. workers each year are the result of workplace violence.
• Workplace violence is the number one cause of death among women who sustain fatal occupational injuries. About 40 percent of these homicides are domestic disputes that have spilled into the workplace (i.e., they are perpetrated by the women’s spouses or relatives).
• In contrast, most instances of workplace violence perpetrated against male employees are committed by coworkers or strangers (with strangers more commonly being the perpetrators when it comes to the service, healthcare and law enforcement industries).

Be sure to check out the second and third parts of this blog to come for our continuing in-depth look at workplace violence.

Colorado Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at the Law Office of Michael P. Dominick

If you have sustained a workplace injury and are considering (or in the process of) filing a workers’ compensation claim, you cannot rely upon your employer or insurance companies to look out for your best interests. In fact, both your employer and insurance companies will be more focused on their own bottom lines instead of your current and future wellbeing. This can make the system adversarial for injured workers and potentially even put them in situations in which their legitimate workers’ compensation claims are undercut or even flat-out denied.

In such cases, it’s essential that injured workers contact the Colorado workers’ compensation lawyers at the Law Office of Michael P. Dominick. Our legal professionals are experienced at going up against corporate lawyers and insurance companies, and we have a proven track record of success when it comes to securing our Clients the maximum possible compensation for their injuries and financial losses. For a thorough evaluation of your case, along with expert advice on the best manner in which to move forward, call us at (303) 447-2644.