PROTECTING SOCIAL WORKERS IS OUR BUSINESS:
Today, tens of thousands of human beings in our nation suffer indescribably. Many of our brothers and sisters don’t have happy childhood memories, and if they did, the memories are displaced as they struggle each day in misery and despair. They face a myriad of challenges just to survive, while social workers nobly lead the way towards a hopeful recovery. This is a dangerous trail because frequently, social workers serve in a threatening environment riddled with violence. The social work profession is truly a noble endeavor rooted in the values of service, integrity, and clinical competence. The nation owes a debt of gratitude to social workers. Thank you for all that you do.
The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2017 reported that there is 1 felonious assault death per 100,000 social workers per year. According to a report by AFGE dated July 15, 2016, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that during the period 2011 and 2013 there were 24,000 workplace assaults, and 75% of them occurred in the social services setting. In 2014, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that Health Care and Social Services settings sustained 52% of all workplace violence incidents.
These are merely the reported assaults. Insurance carriers and Lloyds London reinsurance syndicates admit that there are many more assaults in the social services setting that go unreported. A Lloyds London professional liability syndicate insurance carrier recently reported that their reported claims losses indicate that 690 per 100,000 social workers are assaulted annually while providing Professional Services. On average, they suffer 19 days out of work for injury recovery. If drug and alcohol issues are involved, the assault incidents almost triple to 2,000 per 100,000 social workers per year.
To address this alarming situation, NASW Assurance Services launched a new, and free Felonious Assault insurance policy at no cost to NASW members who are active policyholders in the NASW endorsed life and health insurance program with The Hartford. The notice letters were issued by NASW Assurance Services in October 2019, so retain your Felonious Assault policy notice in your file. It is worth $25,000 in cash.
If an insured dies due to a felonious assault while providing Professional Services, including traveling to or from the case assignment, the policy pays $25,000 to the insured’s estate to satisfy outstanding liabilities of the social work practice including the expenses arising from terminating or reconciling the practice. If any cash benefits remain from the $25,000 cash death benefit, the cash transfers into the insured’s estate. This Felonious Assault policy is insured and underwritten by the NASW Insurance Company Inc., is approved by the Government of the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking insurance regulators, and is a free NASW conditional member benefit.
This is our way of saying “THANK YOU” for all the noble work that you do to heal society and the risks that you sustain every day while doing this great work for people.
From a purely pragmatic utilitarian perspective, just remember that we protect you. When you buy insurance policies that are offered by NASW Assurance Services and the NASW Risk Retention Group, they cover you like gravy on turkey and mashed potatoes, so “gobble” them up!
Happy Thanksgiving!