Getting Back to Work and Workplace Injuries

With new safety regulations and safety technology, workers in the U.S. should be seeing fewer on the job injuries and fatalities. Unfortunately, worker fatalities have not dropped and have gone up, in some jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 5,333 workers who died as a result of on-the-job injuries in 2019, an increase over 2018. The number of worker fatalities has not been as high since 2007, when there were 5,657 people killed on the job. 

The increase in worker fatalities has hit some groups harder than others. One out of every 5 workplace fatalities involves a Hispanic or Latino worker, which is a 13% increase from the previous year. There is also an increase in nonfatal workplace injuries for younger workers, Workers aged 20 to 24 years old are 2.3 times more likely to be injured on the job compared to workers aged 25-44. 

Many workplace injuries are transportation-related. These account for almost 40% of fatal work-related injuries, killing 2,122 in 2019. Drivers, sales workers, and truck drivers had the most fatalities since 2003. Construction and extraction jobs also have a high rate of fatality, increasing more than 6%, killing 1,066 in 2019. 

Why are there more fatal injuries instead of fewer?

Fatal work injuries have been trending down over the past couple of decades. Why has the trend changed? According to AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, one problem may be the rollback of existing safety regulations. 

According to Trumka, “Instead of increasing life-saving measures aimed at protecting working people at our workplaces, the Trump administration consistently rolled back existing safety and health rules and has failed to move forward on any new safety and health protections. We look forward to working with the new administration to strengthen job safety protections and enforcement, rebuild workplace safety agencies, and prevent worker deaths, injuries and disease.”

Does Your Workplace Take Job Safety Seriously?

Some employers do not take job safety seriously. Some employers treat job injuries and fatalities as “a cost of doing business.” However, jobs can always be made safer for workers and no worker should have to suffer an unnecessary injury because the company wants to cut corners. 

Other employers may retaliate against workers who complain about on-the-job dangers. If an employer does retaliate against a worker for reporting dangers to OSHA or assisting in a government investigation, the worker may be able to file a whistleblower complaint against the employer. 

Workers Comp Claims After an Injury

Workplace injuries are some of the most common injuries suffered in the U.S. Workers’ compensation programs are supposed to provide wage and health benefits when workers are injured on the job. However, some employers work against employees, denying or fighting against their claims. 

If your compensation claim was denied, you need an advocate to fight for you. Contact the team at Gilman & Bedigian. We offer a free consultation and will fight for you, to make sure you are fully compensated for your injuries.