If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Move to a safe spot away from the customer. Call 911 if you are injured or the person is still threatening anyone.
- 2Get emergency care for a head blow, choking, heavy bleeding or if you passed out.
- 3Tell your manager or shift lead right away.
- 4Report the attack in writing to your employer and keep a copy.
- 5Write down what the customer looked like, what they said, what they did and the time.
- 6Ask your manager to save security video and any receipt or transaction record tied to the customer.
- 7Get names and phone numbers of coworkers or customers who saw it.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
In customer-facing jobs, people sometimes brush off an attack as part of the job. It is still a workplace injury. A written report to your employer is generally how a workers' compensation claim begins.
Your employer usually sends the report to its insurer or claims administrator. Ask for the claim number and adjuster's contact information. Deadlines to report an injury and file a claim vary by state, so check with your state's workers' compensation agency soon.
If you also file a police report, keep the report number with your claim papers. The two processes are separate.
Keep photos of injuries, any torn uniform or broken glasses, and a short daily note of pain, sleep and how you are feeling. Stress symptoms are common after being attacked, and writing them down helps when you talk to a clinician.
Getting medical care
Get evaluated at urgent care, an emergency department or occupational medicine clinic. If your head was struck or shaken, a clinician may check for concussion and decide whether imaging is needed.
Tell the provider the injury was from a customer attack at work, and mention headaches, dizziness, neck pain, trouble sleeping or feeling on edge. 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 prescriptions can be filled locally or delivered to your home.
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 concussion, broken bones or injuries that keep you off work.
- You are dealing with anxiety, panic or trauma symptoms and want to understand how your state treats them.
- The business where the attack happened is owned or secured by another company, which can raise third-party questions.
- You were discouraged from reporting, or your hours were cut after you reported.
- Your claim is denied or delayed.
- You are afraid to return to customer-facing work and there is disagreement about your restrictions.
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
Follow the care plan for your physical injuries, and give the emotional side attention too. Feeling jumpy around customers or dreading your shift is a common reaction; tell your clinician if it does not ease.
Ask your doctor whether a gradual return, different hours or a role with less public contact makes sense for a while. Ask your employer what options exist and what safety steps have been taken.
Keep your employer and adjuster updated after each visit. Save every message about your schedule and return date.
Questions to ask
- Employer: Will the security footage be saved, and can I get a copy of the incident report?
- Employer: What safety steps are being taken so this doesn't happen again?
- Doctor: Do I need to be watched for a concussion?
- Doctor: Can you refer me to someone for the stress and fear I'm feeling?
- Adjuster: What is my claim number, and which providers can I see?
- Adjuster: Is counseling something I can ask about under this claim?
- Attorney: Does the attack happening at a property run by another company change anything?
Frequently asked questions
What do I do if I was attacked by a customer at work?
Get to safety and call 911 if you are hurt or the person is still a threat. Then get medical care, tell your manager, and report the attack in writing. Ask that security video be saved.
Does workers' comp cover injuries from a customer attack?
Injuries from a customer attack while you are working are often handled through workers' compensation, depending on your state and situation. Report it in writing right away. Check deadlines with your state's agency.
Should I press charges against the customer?
That is your choice, and it is separate from your work injury claim. Many people file a police report and also report to their employer. Keep copies of both.
I wasn't badly hurt — should I still report it?
Yes, reporting even a minor attack in writing is often a good idea. Bruises, neck pain, headaches or anxiety can show up or worsen later. A written report creates a record from the start.
Is it normal to feel scared to go back to work after a customer attacked me?
Yes, fear and nervousness are common after being attacked. Tell your clinician, who may refer you to behavioral health. Ask your employer about safety changes or a gradual return.
Can I see my own doctor after being attacked by a customer?
It depends on your state and employer, since some have rules about which provider you see first for a work injury. In an emergency, go to the nearest emergency care. Ask your employer or adjuster about follow-up providers.
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).