A Growing Public Health And Safety Issue
Workplace violence is a growing public health and safety issue that affects employees across industries—and in some cases, leads to serious or permanent brain injuries. Defined as any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other disruptive behavior at work, it can range from verbal abuse to physical assault.
Prevention strategies—such as staff training, clear reporting systems, and supportive workplace cultures—are essential, but awareness and early intervention are equally important.
A Growing Public Health And Safety Issue
Workplace violence is a growing public health and safety issue that affects employees across industries—and in some cases, leads to serious or permanent brain injuries. Defined as any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other disruptive behavior at work, it can range from verbal abuse to physical assault.
Prevention strategies—such as staff training, clear reporting systems, and supportive workplace cultures—are essential, but awareness and early intervention are equally important.
Recent data underscores the urgency of this issue. In the United States, 733 workers died from violent acts on the job in 2024, with homicides accounting for the majority of those deaths. Nonfatal incidents are even more widespread: more than 2 million U.S. workers experience workplace violence each year, though underreporting remains a significant concern. The rate of serious workplace violence injuries has risen to 4.3 per 10,000 workers, reflecting a troubling upward trend.
Arizona reflects these national concerns. In 2024, employers reported 59,600 workplace injuries and illnesses statewide, with an incidence rate slightly above the national average. While not all are caused by violence, these figures highlight the scale of workplace risk. Certain sectors—especially healthcare and social services—face heightened danger, with workers four to five times more likely to experience workplace violence injuries than those in other industries.
Workplace violence can have lasting consequences, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), emotional trauma, and long-term disability. For survivors, recovery can be complex and lifelong. Prevention strategies—such as staff training, clear reporting systems, and supportive workplace cultures—are essential, but awareness and early intervention are equally important.
If you or someone you know may be experiencing workplace violence, help is available, contact the Brain Injury Association of Arizona at info@biaaz.org, call the Helpline at (888) 500-9165, or visit https://biaaz.org to access resources, support, and guidance. No one should face workplace violence alone.
SOURCES (Direct Links)
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary, 2024
https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cfoi.nr0.htm
AFL-CIO. Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect, 2025 Report
https://aflcio.org/reports/death-job-toll-neglect-2025
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Workplace Injuries and Illnesses — Arizona, 2024
https://www.bls.gov/regions/west/news-release/workplaceinjuriesandillnesses_arizona.htm
The Joint Commission. Preventing Workplace Violence (National Patient Safety Goals)
https://www.jointcommission.org/en-us/standards/national-performance-goals/preventing-workplace-violence/
Florida International University News. The Costs of Workplace Violence Are Too High to Ignore (2024)
https://news.fiu.edu/2024/the-costs-of-workplace-violence-are-too-high-to-ignore
The Brain Injury Association of Arizona is the state’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of brain injury survivors, their families, and caregivers. Your generous support is crucial to continue providing them with programs and services.
ABOUT BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF ARIZONA
The Brain Injury Association of Arizona (BIAAZ) is the only statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of adults and children with all types of brain injuries through prevention, advocacy, awareness and education. BIAAZ also houses the Arizona Brain Health Resource Center, a collection of educational information and neuro-specific resources for brain injury survivors, caregivers, family members and professionals.
What began in 1983 as a grassroots effort has grown into a strong statewide presence, providing valuable life-long resources and community support for individuals with all types of brain trauma at no charge.