One of our Unison members was assaulted twice during a single shift by the same patient.
The member had already raised concerns about the patient’s behaviour and asked for extra support, which was acknowledged by their manager. Despite this, the patient became violent again, pulling the member to the ground. The member couldn’t reach the alarm and had to shout for help until a doctor arrived.
This same patient had also been aggressive towards other staff during the shift.
Unison stepped in immediately. We made a legal claim on the member’s behalf and, after strong negotiations, secured a four-figure compensation payment—with no deductions. The case was settled without going to court.
But we’re not stopping there.
Your Unison branch will continue to put pressure on management to take serious action to improve safety at work. No one should be assaulted while doing their job, and we will continue to push for better protections for all staff.
This case shows the real value of being a Unison member. Our legal service is free, and we take on cases that many “no win, no fee” firms won’t. We’re here to stand up for you when it matters most.
If you’re not already a member, now is the time to join. Unison is here to protect you, support you, and fight for a safer workplace.
