The educational climate of the United States is in flux. But one thing is clear — teachers are facing more violence in the classroom these days. One study suggests that a full third of America’s teachers were verbally harassed or threatened with violence in a recent year and another 14% suffered physical attacks.
The verbal attacks come from administrators, parents and even colleagues, the American Psychological Association reported. Because of this, 43% of those teachers surveyed stated they no longer wanted to teach.
Performance falls off after attacks
Perhaps to no one’s surprise, teachers and paraprofessionals who were injured in physical attacks experienced diminished performance on the job. Not all attacks even get reported because some victims remain silent after the attacks out of complex feelings of guilt and shame.
Right to compensation after an attack
Educators should not feel at risk and vulnerable to violence. No one should have to suffer workplace violence. Even if the physical scars fade, the psychological trauma can leave lingering effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
But you have the right to be made whole again by your employer. Many people are afraid to make workers’ compensation claims because they fear that it could adversely affect their employment.
But workers are protected from retaliation for filing legitimate workers’ comp claims. Learning more about your rights here in the state of California after suffering an on-the-job injury or illness can help you decide whether to file for worker’s compensation benefits. You can pursue both medical treatment and financial payments and settlements during the pendency of your workers’ compensation claim.