When nurses are at work, they face many different injury risks. A nurse could be injured by needles or other sharp implements that they have to use, for instance. Back injuries are common due to having to lift heavy patients. Nurses can suffer bone fractures in a slip-and-fall accident or even a traumatic brain injury.
Another threat that people do not think of as often, however, is workplace violence. Some studies have shown that nurses have a high risk of being involved in a violent altercation with a patient or a patient’s family members. In some cases, these altercations could also involve other hospital workers or nurses.
It is growing more common
An interesting trend that the statistics demonstrate is that it is happening more often. For instance, in one study released last year, only 3.8% of nurses said that workplace violence over the last year was declining. However, 45.5% said that workplace violence was increasing.
Nurses were also asked if they had experienced any type of workplace violence over the last 12 months. A shocking 81.6% said that they had, which is more than eight out of every 10 nurses. Plus, this only reflects the last 12 months, so the percentage would be even higher if you looked at statistics over the last decade or over a nurse’s entire career.
Workers’ comp benefits
Nurses need to be aware of the injury risks they face on the job. Those who have suffered injuries need to know how to seek appropriate workers’ comp benefits. Having experienced legal guidance can help nurses who have questions or concerns or are facing a denial.