Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim After an Injury Caused by a Patient or Visitor

Unfortunately, workplace violence is a significant problem in healthcare settings. Doctors, nurses, and other health workers are at risk. A study cited by the National Institutes of Health(NIH) found that approximately one percent of health workers are harmed by patient/visitor violence each year. At Schmidt, Kirifides, Rassias, & Rio, we fight for justice and the maximum benefits for workers. Our experienced workers’ comp attorneys in Delaware County (Delco) can help you understand your rights and walk you through all the legal options.

Patient/Visitor Violence is a Serious Workplace Safety Problem in Healthcare Settings

Health workers in Pennsylvania face a significant risk of workplace violence, particularly from patients and visitors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nearly 25,000 health workers were required to miss time on the job due to patient-related workplace violence each year. This violence can lead to serious physical injuries and considerable psychological trauma.

You Can File for Workers’ Comp Benefits for a Patient/Visitor Caused Injury

In Pennsylvania, all healthcare workers are covered by no-fault workers’ compensation. The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act covers acute injuries and occupational diseases, including trauma resulting from violent acts by patients or other visitors. If the injury occurred in the course and scope of employment, healthcare workers are entitled to medical expenses and wage-loss compensation benefits through the workers’ compensation system.

Key Points for Bringing a Successful Claim

One of the most critical steps in any Pennsylvania workers’ compensation claim is timely reporting. If a patient or visitor injures you at work, you must immediately notify your supervisor or employer. Under Pennsylvania law, you have up to 120 days to report a workplace injury, but waiting more than 21 days can complicate your case or lead to a denial.

After reporting the injury, the next step is to seek medical treatment. In Pennsylvania, if your employer has posted a list of approved healthcare providers, you may be required to visit one of those providers for the first 90 days after your injury. Failing to do so could result in your medical bills not being covered by workers’ compensation.

Thorough documentation can make or break your claim. You should write down everything you remember about the incident, what happened, where it occurred, who was involved, and whether there were any witnesses. Beyond that, you should retain copies of any incident reports filed with your employer and keep a personal log of your symptoms, missed workdays, and any interactions with your employer or their insurance carrier.

Get Help from Our Workers’ Comp Lawyer Today

At Schmidt, Kirifides, Rassias, and Rio, our workers’ comp attorneys are ready to protect your rights and interests. If you are injured by a patient or visitor and have questions about your rights, contact us today for a free case review. We represent workers throughout Delaware County from our Media, PA office.