If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Get to a safe place and call 911 if you are in danger, hurt, or the person is still nearby.
- 2Get medical care for injuries. Watch for concussion signs after any blow to the head: headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion or vision changes.
- 3If you were bitten, scratched or exposed to blood or spit, wash the area and ask about exposure follow-up.
- 4Report the incident to your supervisor and in writing, and ask whether there is a separate security or violence report.
- 5Write down what happened, the time, the place, what the person said or did, any threats beforehand, and who saw it.
- 6If you have thoughts of harming yourself afterward, call or text 988.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Workplace violence happens in hospitals, stores, schools, transit vehicles and on police, fire and EMS calls. It can be a single attack or repeated threats. Reporting it at work is separate from any police report or criminal case, which is your choice to make. Your work report documents your injury. Transit operators are spat on or punched, retail workers are shoved during thefts, nurses are hit by confused patients, and teachers are hurt breaking up fights. Each deserves a report.
Your report should list every physical injury, including ones from falling, being pushed or restraining someone, and any emotional effects. If security staffing, alarms, locks or a known threat were part of the picture, mention them factually. If threats came before the attack, by phone, text, social media or in person, save them.
Physical injuries from an assault at work are generally treated as work injuries, depending on your state. Emotional injuries are handled differently in different states. Deadlines to report and to file vary, so check with your state's workers' compensation agency soon. If you are a public employee, your employer may have its own claims process; ask HR.
Keep your work report, any police report number, medical records and notes on how you are doing. If a security contractor or property owner was responsible for safety, note their name. If a protective order or police case is involved, keep those papers with your claim records as well.
Getting medical care
A licensed clinician can evaluate your injuries and decide what care fits. Follow-up may involve urgent care, imaging, concussion care or behavioral health. Mention every place you were struck, grabbed or fell on, as well as headaches, dizziness or trouble concentrating. These details help the clinician decide what to check.
Tell every provider the injury happened at work. Rules about which provider you see first vary by state and employer, so check with your employer or the adjuster. If you need imaging, concussion care or counseling, ask the adjuster how approvals work.
If you leave with a prescription, ask the pharmacy and the adjuster how it should be billed as a work injury. Home delivery can help if leaving home feels hard.
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 have a head injury, ongoing headaches or memory problems.
- You have anxiety, nightmares or fear of returning to work.
- You were told violence is just part of the job and not to report.
- A security company, property owner or other party may share responsibility.
- Your claim is denied or emotional care is not covered.
- You were attacked by a coworker and are worried about retaliation.
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 your care plan for physical and emotional injuries. Do not rush back if you still have concussion symptoms. Physical injuries and emotional reactions often heal on different timelines. Both deserve attention.
Ask about changes before you return, such as a different location, shift, route or a safety plan. Share restrictions in writing. Examples include escorts to your car, a partner on your route, panic buttons, or a different unit or classroom.
Talk with your clinician about how you are coping. Ask about peer support or an employee assistance program. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988. Staying connected to coworkers who understand can help.
Questions to ask
- Is there a separate security or violence report I should file?
- What safety changes will be made before I return?
- Can I change my shift, location or route for now?
- Doctor, should I be checked for a concussion?
- Is counseling or peer support available?
- Pharmacist or adjuster, how do I fill work-injury prescriptions, and is home delivery an option?
- Attorney, can emotional effects be part of my claim in my state?
- Can I have an escort to my car or a partner on my route for now?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do after workplace violence?
Get safe and call 911, then get checked for injuries, including concussion. Report what happened in writing to your employer. Keep copies of every report.
Is workplace violence covered by workers' comp?
Physical injuries from an assault at work are generally the kind of event workers' comp addresses, depending on your state. Emotional injuries may be treated differently. Ask your state's agency.
Do I have to press charges to file a work injury claim?
No, reporting your injury at work is separate from any police report or criminal case. That decision is yours. You can ask questions first.
What if a coworker attacked me?
Report it in writing and get care. Rules about coworker assaults vary by state. People often talk with an attorney, especially if they fear retaliation.
Can stress after an attack at work be part of a claim?
In some states and situations it may be. Rules vary. Talk with your clinician and ask your state's agency or an attorney.
Is it normal to feel afraid to go back after an assault?
Yes, fear and anxiety are common after an attack. Tell your clinician and your employer. Support is available.
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).