Think of a dangerous job, and chances are you don’t think of teaching. The sad truth is that teaching can indeed be a dangerous profession, and many educators are leaving their jobs because of it. A newly released report written by the Bureau of Job Statistics and the National Center for Education Statistics details the number of teachers who were injured on the job from 2011 through 2012.
Data was gathered from a variety of sources. They included the School Survey on Crime and Safety, the National Crime Victimization Survey, and the School and Staffing Survey. Approximately 51,100 public school teachers responded to the survey, along with about 7,100 private school teachers. The survey focused on topics such as bullying, student victimizations and teacher injuries.
The report noted that it was not only students who were victims in school buildings.
Of the teachers surveyed, 9 percent said that they had been threatened with injury by a student. Physical attacks by students were reported by 5 percent of teachers, and these attacks were more prevalent among female teachers than their male counterparts. The threat was also higher in public schools than in private ones.
The report stated, in part, “Any instance of crime or violence at a school not only affects the individuals involved, but also may disrupt the educational process and affect bystanders, the school itself, and the surrounding community.”
Like students, teachers go to school expecting to be safe. When their instruction is interrupted by a violent student, it is not only their day that is affected, but the day of every student in the classroom.
If you have been injured at work and need assistance with workers’ compensation in Charleston, call our office. We will provide you with a free case evaluation and advise you of your options. Call now or browse our website for more information about our firm and how we can assist you.
