N
The Global Insight

Can I sue my employer for being assaulted at work?

Author

Mia Phillips

Updated on March 22, 2026

In most cases, you cannot sue your employer for an injury in the workplace. This is because workers’ compensation laws prohibit you from suing your employer for an injury that occurs at work. However, you may be able to sue your employer if your employer is the party that assaulted you.

What happens if you get attacked at work?

Victims of a co-worker assault can: Report the crime to the police, File a complaint with the employer, and/or. File a worker’s compensation claim or a lawsuit against the co-worker and/or employer.

Can you claim for being attacked at work?

A workplace assault compensation claim is a type of personal injury claim. It is a legal process started by someone who has been injured as a result of an assault in the workplace, which seeks to secure financial compensation from those responsible.

What do you do if you are physically assaulted at work?

Make sure the medical provider knows you were attacked while on the job. Call the Police: Notify the police, if they weren’t already called to the scene of the attack. Notify Your Employer: As soon as you’re able, tell your employer you were injured on the job.

What happens if I get assaulted by a customer at work?

Rights if Assaulted by a Customer at Work If a customer assaults you at work, you usually have the right to collect workers’ compensation. When the job’s nature raises the risk for assault, and when the job is part of the customer’s motivation to commit the assault, the victim can typically get workers’ compensation.

Can you get fired for pushing someone at work?

Yes you will. It doesn’t matter whom the aggressor is, shoving is an act of violence. You need to take this person to HR. Violence is prohibited in the work place and grounds for termination without possibility of rehire.

Can you get compensation if you are attacked?

If you have been injured following a criminal assault, for example violent mugging, sexual assault or unprovoked attack, you may be able to pursue a claim for damages: Through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authorities (CICA) Through the courts in a civil claim for damages.

Are employers liable if an employee assaults someone?

The short answer to the question of whether a business is legally responsible for an employee’s violent criminal act is usually “no”. Vicarious liability means that an employer can be held liable for the actions of an employee, if that employee injures another worker or a member of the public.

Can your boss legally swear at you?

There is no specific law against “cussing” at employees. However, if your boss starts to target a specific trait such as gender, national origin, race, age, disability or religion, then your supervisor’s actions could cross into…

What happens when an employee is attacked at work?

Unfortunately, all too often, the person who has been attacked is disciplined right along with the attacker. This is particularly true if the attacker is a customer or client, in which case the employer often dismisses the employee in an effort to mitigate possible liability.

Who is liable for an attack at work?

The employer itself is the most obvious target. It may have liability to the victim (s) of the attack under a variety of different legal theories. For example, attacks that occur in the workplace may create liability for the employer on a premises liability theory, whether the attacker was an employee, a customer, or someone else.

Who is responsible for an assault in the workplace?

Employee liability for committing assault. An employee who lashes out and assaults a co-worker or another person in the workplace may be exclusively liable for resulting injuries, particularly where: the assaultive conduct was not tolerated or sanctioned by the employer.

What should employers do to prevent workplace violence?

Employers and employees are well advised to develop strategies to prevent and address workplace conflicts and head off violence whenever possible, given that both risk liability.