If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Get away from the person and to a safe place. Call 911 if you are injured, threatened or the person is still nearby.
- 2If you were hit in the head, choked, knocked down or lost consciousness, get emergency care right away.
- 3Tell your supervisor or security what happened as soon as you can.
- 4Report the assault in writing to your employer. Keep a copy.
- 5Write down the time, place, what the person said and did, and who saw it, while it is fresh.
- 6Ask whether cameras covered the area and request that footage be kept.
- 7If you are having thoughts of harming yourself afterward, call or text 988.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
A workplace assault may involve two separate reports: one to your employer about the work injury, and one to police if you choose to make one. These are different processes. Reporting to your employer in writing is usually the first step for a workers' compensation claim.
Your employer generally passes the report to its insurer or claims administrator, and a claim is opened. Ask for the claim number and the adjuster's name. Deadlines to report and file vary by state, so check with your state's workers' compensation agency as soon as possible.
Keep a record of injuries, photos of bruises or cuts as they change, any police report number, names of witnesses, and the names of everyone you spoke to about it.
Emotional effects such as fear, trouble sleeping or flashbacks are common after an assault. Write those down too, with dates. Whether and how they fit into a claim varies by state.
Getting medical care
Get seen by a clinician at urgent care, an emergency department or an occupational medicine clinic. If you were struck in the head, a clinician may want to watch for concussion and may order imaging. A licensed clinician decides what is appropriate after an evaluation.
Tell the provider you were assaulted at work. Mention headaches, dizziness, confusion, neck pain and any emotional symptoms. Some states and employers have rules about which provider you see first, so ask your employer or adjuster.
If you are prescribed medication, ask the pharmacy and adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled. Many can be filled locally or delivered to your home, which may help if you are not ready to go out.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery, common medications after work injuries, or find pharmacies near you. Your doctor and pharmacist decide what is right for you.
When people often talk to an attorney
- You had a head injury, broken bones or injuries that keep you off work.
- You are struggling with fear, panic or trauma symptoms and your claim does not address them.
- The attacker was a customer, patient or someone outside your company, which can raise third-party questions.
- You were told not to report the assault, or were treated differently after reporting it.
- Your claim is denied or delayed, or you are told the incident was personal and not work-related.
- You are being asked to return to the same post or the same person without changes.
Learn more: what a workers' comp attorney does. Many offer a free first consultation; fees in workers' comp are often regulated by the state.
Recovery and going back to work
Physical injuries and emotional ones often heal on different timelines. Keep follow-up visits, and if you notice ongoing nightmares, jumpiness or dread about going to work, tell your clinician; a referral to behavioral health is common.
Before returning, it is reasonable to ask your employer what has changed: staffing, security, a different station or shift. Ask your doctor whether restrictions or a gradual return make sense.
Stay in touch with your employer and adjuster after appointments. If talking about the assault is hard, it may help to write things down ahead of time.
Questions to ask
- Employer: Will you keep the camera footage and give me a copy of the incident report?
- Employer: What safety changes will be made before I return?
- Doctor: Should I be watched for a concussion, and what warning signs should I look for?
- Doctor: Can you refer me to someone to talk to about the stress of the assault?
- Adjuster: Is counseling part of my claim?
- Adjuster: Do I need to see a specific provider?
- Attorney: Does the attacker being a customer or outsider change my options?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I was assaulted at work?
Get safe and call 911 if you are hurt or in danger, then get checked by a clinician. Report the assault to your supervisor in writing and write down what happened and who saw it. Ask that camera footage be kept.
Is being assaulted at work covered by workers' comp?
Injuries from a workplace assault are often handled through workers' compensation, but it depends on your state and the circumstances. Report it in writing right away. Check deadlines with your state's workers' compensation agency.
Should I call the police and also report to my employer?
These are separate, and many people do both. A police report addresses the crime, while a written report to your employer starts the work injury process. Keep copies and report numbers.
Can I get help for trauma after being attacked at work?
Yes, behavioral health care is often available, and you can ask your doctor for a referral. Whether a claim covers it varies by state. If you have thoughts of self-harm, call or text 988.
What if I was hit in the head during the assault?
Get medical care right away, because a blow to the head can cause a concussion even without losing consciousness. Watch for headache, confusion, vomiting or unusual sleepiness and call 911 if they appear. Tell the clinician it happened at work.
Do I have to go back to work near the person who attacked me?
That is a fair concern to raise with your employer before returning. Ask what changes are possible, such as a different post or added security. If you feel pressured, many people talk with an attorney.
Related situations
Industries where this often happens
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).