Barre man arrested for alleged assault on UVMMC worker

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - A Central Vermont man arrested following an assault at the UVM Medical Center early Friday now faces felony charges as the result of a new state law aimed at protecting health care workers.

Burlington Police say Daniel Culver, 49, of Barre, was treated and discharged from the emergency room around 2 a.m. Police say he became agitated when he was told to leave the room reserved for families, threatening officers and medical staff. They say he struck a security officer on the head

Culver is facing a criminal charge as a result of a new law passed by the Legislature last year to address increased violence in the workplace from patients. It allows officers to arrest people assaulting health care workers without a warrant.

State Senator Ginny Lyons, D- Chittenden County, says it’s too early to say whether the new law will help curb the growing violence against health workers. “Those things take time, educating people on how to behave around violent patients and family members. It s not something health care workers were trained for. They were trained to care,” she said. The law also requires law enforcement and hospitals to collect data on incidents of violence and looks at ways health care workers can deescalate the situation.

Police say Culver has an extensive rap sheet, including a 2008 conviction for assaulting police. Police say the prior conviction elevates Culver’s assault to a felony charge of assault of a protected professional.

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