Happened to me in about 78.I was told I had no recourse because the patient thought *I* was trying to kill him. This was upheld by the court but wc would not take my case.
About 1997 I was kicked in the face then hit repeatedly by a telephone receiver. This time my coworkers risked their health by dragging me away,physically holding his door shut, calling the police, the director and the hospital lawyer. They took me to the ER to be examined and I stayed there til the patient's ortho doctor came to see me and documented MY injuries. It came to light the patient who "didn't drink" had JUST been released from the alcohol and drug unit of our state mental hospital the week prior to surgery. The doctor fired his patient, who was was to be discharged the next day and referred him to staff ortho teaching service at the University.
Then comes the bad news. The hospital paid my in house medical bills and my salary until I returned to work, but wc turned me down.
I'm in SC. Here wc is 2/3 of the average pay for someone in my salary bracket-which included Nurses, long haul truckers, paralegals, and several more. That would not be MY salary, but an average of that tier. If I had not been able to return as a Nurse the Hospital would have found me a job like a clerk or telephone operator (which BTW I had a lot of experience years ago.) at THAT jobs salary-about $6/hr at the time.
Third injury, my spouse called the police, called a wc lawyer, went to wc hearing which I prevailed and I got nearly $100,00, of course the attorney in SC gets 1/3 + expenses. That was the injury that took me out of Nursing forever and to this day causes pain, severe at times.
My advice hug your coworkers they had your back, call the cops, get the best w/c lawyer (NOT just any lawyer) and let him do ALL the work.
One good part is the whole deal cost the employer upwards of a Million dollars. My physician me advised not to return as a patient to that one. I have to convince my cardiologist not to send me there. I might have to change cardiologists.
Nov 7, '12 by P_RNHappened to me in about 78.I was told I had no recourse because the patient thought *I* was trying to kill him. This was upheld by the court but wc would not take my case.
Nov 7, '12 by TakeTwoAspirinNobody intervened to help you because of lack of training in self-defense! What? I don't have any training but I would have jumped in and done what I could to help a friend/colleague (heck, I wouldn't even see that happen to a stranger let alone a colleague). No wonder you have mental health issues over this. I think it's terrible that the people you work side by side with every day stood by and let this continue and did nothing. My heart goes out to you and I hope you ultimately find some peace with all of this.
Nov 8, '12 by theviewThank you Dave. This is exactly why I posted my attack in here, In hopes that others who unfortunatly have experienced events like this had some suggestions for me on how to deal with it. Thanks again
Nov 14, '12 by edmiaI'm sorry this happened!