Many people honor police officers, firefighters and members of the military – and rightfully so — for putting their lives on the line when they go to work every day. One line of work that many people may not associate with being dangerous, is working in a mental health care facility. Michigan mental health care employees may be exposed to violence in the workforce similar to other risky jobs. Whether a person’s job requires repetitive motions that unreasonably strain the body, or an employee is exposed to a dangerous situation, employers must do everything possible ensure workers’ safety.
Recently, a mentally ill patient in mental health care facility fatally shot his caseworker and wounded his psychiatrist. If a nearby doctor had not pulled his own gun to kill the gunman, the shooting may have continued. While many questioned why a doctor in a mental health facility would be carrying a concealed weapon, those that work in the field understand the risks of workplace accidents.
According to a survey conducted by the Department of Justice, nearly 56,000 violent crimes in the workplace were recorded between 2005 and 2009, against social workers, psychiatrists and other mental health employees.
Some people feel that there may be more employers can do to keep mental health care employees safe. Employees who have been injured on the job may have a cause of action against their employer for injuries caused by a work accident. Successful workers’ compensation suits can help injured employees pay for bills and medical expenses, and may also cover things like replacement income and costs for retraining.
Local Saginaw lawyers have decades of experience helping injured workers recover compensation for workplace accidents. Whether you are a construction worker, police officer, mental health care employee or any other type of employee who has been injured in a workplace accident, there is help available to file a lawsuit against an employer.
Source: The Detroit News, “More protection urged for mental health care workers,” Michael Rubinkam, Aug. 3, 2014
