The Incident
A care assistant has had to take medical retirement after being attacked by a resident at an old people’s home in Middlesbrough. The UNISON member, who was employed by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, has now received over £57,000 compensation after an eight year legal battle. Her job was looking after elderly male residents with difficult backgrounds, including alcoholism and sexual offences.
The worker, whose name has not been released, was hit and kicked repeatedly by the man as she tried to attend to him in his room. She was unable to reach an alarm but eventually escaped into the dining room, during which time the attack continued. She suffered bruising and swelling to her legs and shoulder.
But the care worker was so traumatised by the attack in 2002, she was unable to return to work and eventually accepted medical retirement.
After an eight year legal battle, the UNISON member received over £57,000 in compensation.
💡 Key takeaway: A single violent incident in a care setting can end a worker’s career, trigger an eight-year legal process, and cost the council over £57,000 — far more than investing in proper safety training.
