Depending on your occupation and the industry you work in, getting injured on the job is a real possibility. While many people can’t imagine suffering an injury at work, others know this reality all too well. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nearly 3 million employees experienced a workplace injury or illness in 2017. Subsequently, a total of 5,147 workers died in workplace accidents, which is slightly less than the number of fatalities in 2016 (5,190). Some industries are inherently more dangerous than others, but what many people don’t realize is that accidents can occur in any setting. Even if you hold an office job, you may be at risk of an accident or injury.
There are many reasons why workplace accidents occur throughout the nation. Often, employers fail to implement safety protocols designed to protect employees. In other cases, an employee may act recklessly or without care of other workers. This is why safe and smart work practices are so important. To reduce the number of workplace accidents and, in turn, injuries and deaths, we must understand how they happen. As experienced workplace accident lawyers, we understand how devastating these types of cases can be. If you’ve been injured on the job as the result of someone else’s poor judgment or negligence, give The Green Law Firm a call today and schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced bilingual workplace accident lawyers.
Today, we intend on taking a closer look at workplace accidents. This includes statistics, common causes of accidents, steps to take following a workplace accident, and common injuries that happen as a result. If you have any questions about the information below, or if you would like to discuss your specific case with an experienced lawyer, contact The Green Law Firm today.
Facts About Workplace Accidents
Numbers never lie, which is why we thought it would be beneficial to go over some facts about workplace accidents. We already told you that nearly 3 million people are injured every year in the U.S. while working, but here are some other shocking workplace accident facts:
- A worker is injured on the job every 7 seconds
- 88,500 workers suffered an injury every week in 2018
- In 2017, injuries cause more than 104,000,000 workdays to be lost
- The majority of workplace injuries have to do with overexertion (33.54%)
- 26% of injuries involve “contact with objects and equipment.” This includes:
- Moving objects strike you
- Equipment compresses you
- Being caught, crushed, or struck by a collapsing structure or piece of equipment
Which occupations are the most dangerous?
The jobs and industries with the highest risk and rate of injury or death include:
- Service (such as firefighters and police force)
- Transportation and shipping
- Manufacturing
- Installation, maintenance, and repair
- Construction
Common Causes of Workplace Accidents
Workplace accidents are often random and happen in the blink of an eye. They can happen to anyone at any time. While the employer has a responsibility to ensure the work environment is safe, employees are also tasked with creating a safe and productive workplace. When this does not happen, for one reason or another, accidents can occur.
Some of the most common causes of workplace accidents in Texas include:
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Getting caught in machines or equipment (common in manufacturing plants or factories)
- Improper lifting
- Fatigue
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Moving objects strikes you
- Vehicle or other transportation-related accidents
- Dehydration
- Falling objects
- Walking into objects
- Exposure to hazardous materials
- Falling from buildings, scaffolding, or other heights
- Exposure to bloodborne pathogens
- Stress
- Violent acts
- There are approximately 500 workplace homicides every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Most Common Injuries from Workplace Accidents
The above accidents are common and can result in anything from a minor injury to a disabling illness. To ensure you are prepared to advocate for yourself in the workplace, it is important you are aware of the potential injuries that can happen on the job:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Muscle strains
- Anxiety
- Head injuries
- Injuries to the head, neck, or spine
- Amputation
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns
Steps to Take Following a Workplace Accident
One of the most important components of an accident, including workplace accidents, is determining fault. Proving that another party acted negligently or did not withhold their standard duty of care is difficult but imperative if you are going to bring a lawsuit. If you’ve been injured in a Laredo workplace accident, or if you lost a loved one while working on the job, contact The Green Law Firm. We will help you determine if you have a case and what the next steps are. To ensure a work-related injury, illness, or fatality is handled properly, the following should occur:
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible
- Report the accident to your employer as soon as possible
- Write down what happened to create a paper trail
- Follow up with your employer
- Listen to your doctor and don’t skip out on treatment
- Contact an attorney
How to Avoid a Workplace Accident
No matter the environment or industry you work in, here are several tips on avoiding a serious workplace accident:
- Be alert at all times
- Never rush through your work
- Wear the appropriate (and required) safety gear
- Follow your employer’s instructions closely
- Incorporate a safety program
- Consider a wellness plan for your employees
- Implement regular safety training
- Don’t take shortcuts
- Expect and properly maintain all company vehicles
- Keep a clean workplace
- Post proper signage
- Report any dangers or accidents
- Provide proper equipment
- Provide proper training
Workplace accidents are often serious or deadly. To avoid becoming another statistic like the ones we’ve discussed today, please contact The Green Law Firm and schedule a consultation with one of our bilingual workplace accident attorneys.
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