California small businesses warned on workplace violence liability

Workplace safety expert Michael Corwin says California small businesses open to the public face civil liability from workplace violence even when they have just one employee. He warns that written plans alone may not protect owners from third-party lawsuits, insurance gaps and regulatory fines.

Why it matters: - California small businesses open to the public can face costly third-party lawsuits if violence harms customers, clients, patients, vendors or guests. - Written workplace violence plans alone do not stop an attack and may not protect owners from six-figure civil settlements. - Standard insurance policies may exclude intentional violence or battery, creating possible personal liability for owners.

What happened: - Workplace safety expert Michael Corwin warned that California employers may be exposed to workplace violence liability under SB 553 even with just one employee. - Corwin said small business owners often assume workers' compensation will cover the fallout, but third-party invitees can sue directly in civil court. - Corwin said his warning is aimed at small businesses that are accessible to the public.

The details: - Corwin said he spent 30 years helping plaintiff attorneys build cases against employers when violence targeted invitees at their locations. - Corwin said generic policies and plans failed because paperwork does not stop an attack. - Corwin said harm reduction should emphasize situational awareness and other strategies to avoid physical harm. - Corwin listed four practical steps: train staff to read the environment and people around them, teach employees to report safety concerns, learn from near misses, and use a buddy system in settings such as parking lots. - Corwin said California's workplace violence prevention law is triggered by public access, not by employee count. - Corwin said failing to document hazards, address them and train workers can lead to regulatory fines as well as private lawsuits.

Between the lines: - The message shifts the focus from compliance paperwork to day-to-day operational safety. - For small businesses, the biggest risk may be that they underestimate exposure because they are small, public-facing and assume insurance or workers' comp will cover every incident. - Corwin's warning suggests employers may need to treat violence prevention as a live management issue rather than a one-time policy exercise.

What's next: - Small employers in California may need to review workplace violence plans, training and hazard documentation to reduce exposure. - Businesses with public-facing staff may also need to check insurance exclusions and test whether their procedures prepare workers to spot and report threats early. - Corwin's contact information was provided for media inquiries: mike@helpyoubesafe.com, 505-250-0244 and more information.

The bottom line: - For California small businesses, a written plan may satisfy paper requirements, but operational readiness is what may limit violence-related liability.