The Number of Preventable Work Deaths in the U.S. Increased by Nearly 9% Last Year

Preventable Work Deaths in the U.S.

For over 25 years, our Charlotte workers’ compensation attorneys at the Ramsay Law Firm, P.A. have represented injured workers throughout North Carolina, so they can successfully access the benefits they are entitled to after getting hurt at work.

Unfortunately, not only are a growing number of workers requiring legal help to pursue workers’ compensation benefits, but a growing number of survivors and dependents need our help pursuing death benefits after a work-related injury caused the loss of their loved one’s life.

Last year alone, the National Safety Council (NSC) reported the number of preventable work deaths increased by nearly 9%. Over the same period, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BOL) reported a worker died every 101 minutes from a work-related injury.

Here we explore the sectors that experienced the biggest increases in preventable injury-related deaths in the U.S.

Preventable Injury-Related Death Data Shows Employers Are Still Not Doing Enough to Protect Workers

Recently our Charlotte workers’ compensation attorneys explored the leading causes of workplace fatalities in the U.S. Now, we would like to shine a light on the industry sectors that are contributing to the increases in preventable injury-related deaths.

Last year, the latest data by the NSC reported:

• Preventable injury-related deaths: 4,472
• Preventable injury-related deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers: 3.1
• Medically consulted injuries: 4,260,000

According to the BOL, workers in transportation and material moving occupations experienced a series high of 1,523 fatal work injuries last year — an increase of 18.8% from the previous year — and represent the occupational group with the highest number of fatalities.

Transportation incidents remained the most frequent type of fatal event with 1,982 fatal injuries last year — an increase of 11.5% from the previous year. This major category accounted for 38.2% of all work-related fatalities last year.

The industry sectors experiencing the highest fatality rates per 100,000 workers were, in order:

• Agriculture
• Forestry
• Fishing and Hunting
• Mining

Employers must take a systematic approach to improve worker safety that includes instituting policies, training, and risk assessment techniques to address the major causes of workplace injuries and fatalities.

If you were injured or tragically lost a family member during a workplace accident in North Carolina, we can help you understand your legal rights and options to pursue workers’ compensation benefits without delay.

Contact Our Dedicated Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Charlotte, North Carolina

Our dedicated Charlotte workers’ compensation law firm provides free consultations to all employees who have been hurt, and surviving family members who have lost a loved one to a preventable workplace injury in North Carolina by calling 704-376-1616 or contacting us online.

A Voice For The Injured. Here Every Step of The Way.