Even though there are safety precautions in place at most jobs, work-related injuries and deaths happen more often than anyone may realize. In 2019, a worker died on the job in the United States every 99 minutes; that year also had the highest annual number of fatal occupational injuries since 2007.
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), some of the top work-related injuries involve contact with objects and equipment, overexertion and bodily reaction, and slip, trips, and falls.
What Causes Most Work-Related Injuries?
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the top ten injuries reported by type are:
- Caught in Running Equipment or Machinery
- Fall to Lower Level Infrastructure
- Compressed or Pinched by Shifting Objects or Equipment
- Caught in Running Equipment or Machinery During Maintenance & Cleaning
- Fall on the Same Level Due to Slipping
- Other Fall to Lower Level Less Than 6 Feet
- Fall on the Same Level Due to Tripping Over an Object
- Struck Against Moving Part of Machinery or Equipment
- Exposure to Environmental Heat
- Injured by Slipping or Swinging Object Held by Injured Worker
Brief Statistics of Work-Related Injuries
- In 2019, one of the leading causes for work-related injuries – slips, trips, and falls – increased by 11 percent.
- Exposure to harmful substances or environments resulted in the highest number of deaths since the series began in 2011.
- Deaths in the private construction industry increased by five percent – reaching the highest total since 2007.
Effects of Work-Related Injuries
Work-related injuries can be debilitating and devastating in some cases – impacting many aspects of your life, from how you complete basic tasks to whether you are able to continue your job role. A work-related injury can have a negative impact on your physical and mental health, increase rates of anxiety and depression, and result in many expenses that you may not have been prepared to handle. It can take an emotional and mental toll – not only on you but also on your loved ones. You may lose your ability to work in the same job role completely or struggle to do the job to the same extent that you were able to before your accident, which can be very difficult to process.
How an Attorney Can Help
After you have suffered a work-related injury, you may be dealing with severe injuries and medical expenses that feel unmanageable. An experienced attorney can evaluate your situation and help you file a workers’ compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit – to recover the compensation you need to cover any financial expenses that have resulted from your injury as well as any other losses, such as diminished or lost earning capacity (if you cannot work anymore due to your injury), loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional pain and suffering.
An attorney can fully investigate your case and help gather the necessary evidence to support your claim. In addition, an attorney will negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf and make sure your claim isn’t undervalued and that you receive maximum compensation for your every loss.
If you need an attorney after a work-related injury or have any questions, contact Ramsey Law Group to schedule a free case consultation. We are here to help you figure out your best options and navigate the legal process with more ease.
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