Workplace violence
Comprehensive legal advice and representation in relation to
employers' liability and public liability claims arising from
workplace violence.
The BBC Panorama documentary broadcast in March 2007 illustrated
the real cost of workplace violence to employers. It is estimated
that the NHS alone incurs costs of £100m per year in protecting
their employees and through absenteeism due to physical assaults
and abuse to staff.
In addition, there are the very real personal costs to those who
are victims of workplace violence, some of whom are unable to
return to front line duties. Healthcare workers are not the only
sector reporting an increase in violence and abuse over recent
years – others include retail, licensed retail, transport, public
services and, of course, security.
Injury to employees brings with it the threat of civil action
against their employers on the grounds that they have failed to
take sufficient steps to protect staff against the risk of robbery,
attack or abuse. The risk of civil claims does not stop there. In
recent years, there have been many well-publicised actions from
members of the public where employees have used excessive force,
resulting in serious and sometimes fatal injury.
Weightmans’ specialist Workplace Violence team has been at the
cutting edge for a number of years in defending employers against
workplace violence claims. We work closely with organisations such
as MAYBO, the country’s leading conflict management training
providers, and offer a holistic service dealing with all aspects of
claims for damages and prosecutions.
As an employer, you stand to benefit from our services in a
number of ways. Not only do we provide expert advice, guidance and
representation, but we also help you to implement policies and
procedures to help prevent incidents arising.
Our expertise and knowledge of the sectors affected
(particularly retail, licensed premises and security
guarding/delivery) puts us in a perfect position to help you take
preventative measures to manage the risks. As a consequence, your
organisation and your employees are better protected, claims are
reduced and there is less disruption to your normal activities.
"Weightmans' knowledge and expertise on workplace violence is
second to none. Their advice has been invaluable"
National Health and Safety Manager,
G4S
