The 2014 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a total of 4,679 fatal work injuries in the U.S., a two percent rise from 2013. This represents a death rate of 3.3 per 100,000 full-time employees.
An occupational injury in Salt Lake City that leads to a wrongful death may necessitate an experienced lawyer. Oftentimes, surviving family members are unsure of how to receive benefits or will not receive the benefits they deserve after a workplace wrongful death incident. In these cases, a lawyer who is familiar with Salt Lake City and state workplace compensation laws can help survivors navigate their way through the process.
Many workplace accidents do not result in wrongful death, however. Oftentimes, workplace accidents result in less severe injuries that cost companies thousands of dollars in premiums and workman’s compensation. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), indirect and direct costs stemming from occupational injuries can cost up to 5 percent of a company’s yearly operational costs.
The leading cause of occupational injuries are slip and fall accidents. OSHA reported that 20 percent of all workplace injury claims in 2013 were from such accidents. Slip and fall accidents occur across all industries in cities such as Salt Lake City, and employees are at risk no matter the work environment.
The second most common workplace injury is being cut while at work. Manual labor professions and restaurant environments lead all other industries in this type of injury. Per OSHA, 17 percent of all occupational injuries are cuts.
Approximately 16 percent of all injuries are a result of an employee being struck by an object. Whether that object is in the form of a vehicle, machine, construction equipment or something else entirely, manual labor occupations tend to lead the way in this type of injury.
Ultimately, workplace injuries–whether they lead to wrongful death or not–are common and can happen to anyone, anywhere. If you or a loved one has been injured at work, you may want to contact a local injury lawyer immediately.