Public Hearing on

"Proposed Standard for Safety and Security in the Public Sector throughout New York State"

Testimony of Jill Dangler, RN

on behalf of the

New York State Public Employees Federation, AFL-CIO

June 24, 2003

      Thank you members of the Hazard Abatement Board for convening this hearing on the crucial topic of workplace violence prevention. My name is Jill Dangler and on November 19, 1996, I was assaulted while working as a nurse on the Admission Unit at Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center (MVPC), a New York State operated facility. The patient who assaulted me had been transferred from Mid-Hudson PC, one of the state’s forensic hospitals that are for people who are criminal and mentally ill. His history included breaking and entering; arson of a church; and the savage murder of a woman in her home. This individual was more than 250 pounds and six feet tall. His presence at MVPC was not unusual in that New York State often houses forensic patients with violent histories in regular adult hospitals.

After attempting to strangle me, he repeatedly punched my face causing my head to hit the wall at each blow. He repeatedly kicked all my body parts as I lay on the floor. It was another patient who heard the sounds of the attack and intervened to save my life. In my 20 years of employment at MVPC, I had never seen such a brutal attack.

As I was being transported by ambulance to the hospital, I was told that the patient was being transferred back to Mid Hudson, but when stable would return to MVPC. These words haunted me for weeks and months.

The next day, my husband and I went to the Utica Police Department to file charges. At this point my entire face was swollen, I had two black eyes, and I had a concussion causing severe headaches. I could only stand hunched over. My shoulders had sustained muscle damage and I could only lift my arms to my jaw. The jaw needed support so that I could talk. My teeth were so loose that my diet consisted of only soft foods. The vision in my left eye was intermittent, and the bones that surround and support the eye were fractured. I began having panic attacks and nightmares and only left the house if accompanied by my husband.

At the Utica Police Department, the officer refused to take the report and stated: "You knew that it was risky when you took the job!" Only at my husband's insistence did the police finally take my report.

The Social Worker that treated me for trauma counseling and the dental specialist would not accept the State Insurance Fund (Workers’ Compensation) due to low reimbursement rates and the long waiting period for receipt of payment. I paid these bills out of pocket. I received a $2,000 Trauma and Captivity benefit provided by my union, the New York State Public Employees Federation.

I was very concerned that the attacker would return to MVPC and cause me harm. MVPC management had no procedures for supporting staff that were assaulted and traumatized, including no policy for separating them from the patients who assaulted them. I wrote letters to the Director of Mid-Hudson PC requesting that he remain there and showing him pictures illustrating the severity of the assault. He replied that he would communicate with my hospital’s director and share my concerns with them. I feel it is ironic that I never heard from MVPC’s director and only heard from the Director of Nursing until after I wrote to my legislators and the Director of Mid-Hudson.

I returned to work on January 13, 1997, about two months after I was assaulted. Despite the extraordinary support I received from my union leader, Marilyn MaHanna, and all my coworkers, it seemed that MVPC management had implemented no plans for prevention. Further, management did not even acknowledge that the attack occurred nor validate the trauma to me, my family, co-workers, and patients.

With the assistance of Marilyn and my Regional PEF Coordinator, Mike DelPiano, I was introduced to state legislators such as Senator Mieir and Assemblywoman Destito, who were both very helpful and met with me several times.

Due to the efforts of legislators, the union, and my own advocacy, the patient was not returned to MVPC; personal alarms were issued to each staff member; a health and safety committee became active; the Employee Assistance Program started a crisis response team; and efforts were made to address the Utica Police Department's refusal to accept a report.

As a licensed healthcare professional, I feel strongly that being assaulted should not be a part of the job. On top of the physical pain of the assault, the indifference shown to me by my employer unnecessarily prolonged my anguish. All employers should meet their obligation to provide safe and healthy work environments. It was the union that pushed for resolution and closure I needed for my healing. I think it is time for the New York State and all employers to protect the well being of staff and patients by providing essential health and safety prevention programs and proper staffing on the wards. I appeal to you as a licensed professional nurse, as a union member, and as a person who has personally suffered the experience of workplace violence to do all in your power to address this critical problem. It is essential for the well being of workers and the workplace. Violence in healthcare environments must stop. It stands in the way of safety and provision of quality care for patients. I implore you to recommend that the Commissioner of Labor promulgate an enforceable standard to protect public sector workers from violence.

Thank you for your efforts.