Patient Assault On Professional

Summary

Unwanted physical contact, such as a patient forcefully grabbing your wrist, could be considered assault in the United States. The patients mental state and intent may also be relevant. Report the incident to your employer and the police. If your employer dismisses your concerns, you can file a complaint with OSHA, consult a labor attorney, and document everything for potential legal action. Your workplace should be safe and free from threats.

Full Conversation

I am a medical professional wondering if it would be considered assualt if a patient of mine forcefully grabbed my wrist on purpose
Hello Anonymous, the law varies depending on your location. Generally, this could be considered assault, especially if you felt threatened. However, the patient's mental state and intent might also be considered. Where did this incident occur?
At work
Thank you for the clarification. Could you please tell me in which country or state your workplace is located? This will help me provide more specific legal information.
United states
Thank you for the information. In the United States:
- Unwanted physical contact such as grabbing could be considered assault.
- The patient's mental state and intent may impact this.
- You can report the incident to your employer and the police.
Consider consulting with a local attorney for advice tailored to your situation.
What if my employer does not care and writes me up
If your employer dismisses your concerns, you may:
- File a complaint with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Consult a labor attorney
- Document everything for potential legal action
Remember, your workplace should be safe and free from threats.