Many people assume that nurses and other healthcare staff don’t work a very physically demanding or dangerous job, but that’s simply not true. That sentiment is especially true in Minnesota, where violence against healthcare workers has grown increasingly common and especially violent in recent years. If you are injured while providing care to a patient, do you know where to turn? In today’s blog we take a closer look at how nurses and hospital staff can get compensation for their injuries in Minnesota
Workplace Violence In Healthcare
A recent investigation by the Star Tribune shed light on just how problematic violence against healthcare workers in Minnesota truly is. According to the data, between 2023 and 2024, an estimated 1,070 hospital workers in privately operated hospitals were violently injured at work. That rate earns Minnesota the dubious distinction of being the second worst state in the nation in terms of violent injury rate among healthcare workers. Only Connecticut had a higher rate of injuries among healthcare workers.
Hospital leaders and union heads say the figures are grim not because violence against healthcare staff is a problem, but rather because Minnesota has a culture of reporting adverse events, more so than many other states. Whether or not the culture of reporting in Minnesota has an affect on anything doesn’t really matter. What matters is that healthcare workers continue to be violently attacked across the state.
We saw that surge firsthand during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2012, there were 91 claims from healthcare workers who missed at least three days of work due to violence-related injuries. That number ballooned up to 272 in 2022. Although that number dropped back to 177 in 2024, we’re still nearly double where we sat nearly a decade ago.
So what should you do if you’ve been a victim of workplace violence as a healthcare worker? For starters, know that you have legal options. Many in the healthcare industry have devoted their lives to helping others, so they aren’t always great at seeking out care for themselves. This is one of those times where you need to prioritize your health and your financial future so that you can provide the best care to your patients.
The single best thing you can do for yourself and your family if you have been a victim of workplace violence is to connect with an experienced injury lawyer like Dean and the team at Margolis Law Firm. They’ll be able to review your case, pursue every potential avenue for compensation and work to maximize your reward while you focus on what matters most – your health and your family. You have enough on your plate without stressing about filing a claim correctly or researching your compensation options. Let our experienced team of lawyers go to bat for you in your time of need.
We’ve helped many medical professionals get injury compensation from standard on-the-job injuries or as a result of workplace violence, and we can do the same for you. Time is of the essence for filing your claim and for preserving evidence, so don’t delay, call our firm today.
To learn more about your legal options, or to talk with an attorney about your specific injury case, reach out to Dean and the team at Margolis Law Firm today at (952) 230-2700.
