No matter what occupation or industry you work in, you're in danger of suffering a serious injury or death. Work accidents are to blame for thousands of fatalities each year in the United States, and countless more long-term injuries that leave workers suffering with chronic pain, limitations in movements, and restrictions in the types of work they can perform—if they're not permanently disabled.
Unfortunately, dangerous workplace fatalities are increasing. According to the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5,190 workers were killed in 2016—a 7 percent increase from 2015. This is the third straight year that fatalities increased, and the first year that deaths topped 5,000 since 2008.
Workplace Accidents That Most Frequently Cause Death
While many types of accidents on the job can result in workers losing their lives, some types of incidents are more likely to lead to fatalities than others. The U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics indicate:
- Transportation accidents continued to remain the most common cause of fatalities in 2016, causing 2,083 deaths—40 percent of all fatal incidents.
- The second top reason workers died in 2016 was violence and other injuries by individuals or animals—increasing 23 percent from 2015. Homicides accounted for a large portion of these deaths—500 of the 866 employee fatalities. In addition, 291 workers died in work-related suicides—the highest number yet.
- Fatalities from falls, slips, and trips were 6 percent higher in 2016 than 2015 and caused 849 deaths nationwide. Fatal falls for roofers, carpenters, tree trimmers and pruners, and tractor-trailer truck drivers increased by 25 percent.
- Overdoses of non-medical uses of alcohol and drugs at work increased 32 percent in 2016, accounting for 217 deaths.
Florida was one of the 36 states that saw an increase in fatal workplace accidents, increasing from 272 deaths in 2015 to 309 in 2016.
Did a loved one die in workplace accident? Did you suffer injuries on the job? At Johnson & Gilbert, PA, our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys have decades of experience fighting for the rights of employees who were killed or injured while working. Take advantage of our free consultation to learn about your rights to workers’ compensation benefits under Florida law. Call our office today and schedule your appointment.
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