We rely on doctors when our lives, or the lives of our loved ones, depend on their help. Emergency room doctors are absolutely crucial to public safety in New Jersey. However, they face a growing danger that people in many other professions don’t face ” being violently attacked.
ER doctors in fear of violence
A poll conducted by The American College of Emergency Physicians questioned more than 3,500 ER doctors in the United States about the violence they face on the job. Roughly 47 percent of them reported being physically attacked by patients, relatives of patients, and friends of patients. More than 25 percent of them suffered injuries.
Nearly 70 percent of respondents said they have also witnessed a rise in violence against ER doctors in the past five years.
Within the past year alone, 72 percent of ER doctors polled in Michigan experienced violence on the job, according to a study published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine. Additionally, 22 percent of respondents reported being in a constant state of fear while at work.
Dr. Terry Kowalenko, the co-author of the Michigan study, says that “Patients coming to the ER are generally in a vulnerable and volatile state.”
If you’re an ER doctor or other medical professional who has experienced violence at work, your injuries may be severe enough to hinder your ability to perform your job. Additionally, you may be experiencing mental and emotional trauma, not to mention the fear of facing another violent assault from a patient.
What to do if you’re assaulted on the job
You may be eligible to collect workers’ compensation benefits while you spend time away from work and in recovery. Unfortunately, the workers’ compensation system in New Jersey is more complex than you think. The insurance companies that handle these benefits may be reluctant to ensure that you receive the proper care. They fight to keep their payments as low as possible, while you’re forced to pay out of your own pocket.
That’s why it’s important to always seek legal representation when filing a workers’ compensation claim. The attorneys at the Kotlar, Hernandez & Cohen, LLC have a wealth of knowledge and legal experience handling workers’ compensation claims in New Jersey. We’ll fight to ensure that you’re treated fairly. Contact us today to learn how we can help you.
