New York is home to thousands of different types of businesses, ranging from small start-up companies to Fortune 500 businesses. Unfortunately, workplace injuries happen every day. Workers who get hurt on the job may suffer for months or years, depending on the type of injury, which can lead to financial difficulties and an exorbitant amount of undue stress and anxiety.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the most common workplace accidents include:
- Transportation Incidents
- Falls, slips, and trips
- Violence and injuries by a person or animal
- Contact with objects and equipment
- Exposure to harmful substances or environments
- Fires and explosions
Many of these accidents occur due to violation of OSHA safety standards and New York State’s Workforce Protections by a company, manager, or co-worker.
Which Industries See the Highest Number of Workplace Injuries?
It’s not surprising that building homes, hotels, and other structures is a risky job. The Department of Labor reported that, in 2015, there were 937 fatalities in the construction industry. That’s more than two workers killed every single day. Elevated workspaces, outdoor conditions, heavy equipment, electrical wiring, and trenches all contribute to the high-risk environment of construction sites.
The most common causes of construction worker deaths were falls from roofs or scaffolding; being struck by an object; electrocution; and being caught or compressed by objects while working. In fact, these four incidents are responsible for roughly 65 percent of all of the construction worker deaths reported in 2015.
Many construction accidents occur when companies or management do not follow safety regulations. If you are in a construction accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries. Contact a workplace injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options.
Logging
Cutting and transporting timber is also an inherently risky job. Loggers’ work is not only strenuous in itself, but it is also performed in dangerous conditions. Of the total number of fatalities reported, nearly two-thirds were caused by being struck by falling trees. Other causes included issues with tools and equipment, especially the misuse of chainsaws and heavy machinery. Other deaths were caused by blows from logs or limbs.
Logging workers spend long hours in extreme outdoor conditions surrounded by heavy equipment and falling trees. It is no surprise that it is one of the top industries that lead to workplace injuries. In the state of New York alone, there were 31 logging industry fatalities between 2006 and 2015.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a logging accident, don’t hesitate to contact a workplace injury attorney to discuss your ability to claim damages for your injuries.
Fishing
Although many enjoy fishing as a relaxing weekend activity, commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous jobs in the country. Fisherman may be killed by boating accidents, falling overboard, being injured while on the boat, and also injuries sustained while on shore, such as unloading cargo.
Fishermen are especially susceptible to suffering injuries to their upper bodies due to carrying fishing gear. Slips and falls are also common, accounting for almost a third of reported boating injuries. Using winches, wires, or ropes has also been cited as the cause of many injuries.
National Institute for Safety and Health (NIOSH), long hours, heavy labor, and harsh outdoor conditions make commercial fishing especially dangerous, with an average of 42 deaths per year. With more than 100,000 commercial fishing harvesters operating out of the US, it is one of the nation’s top industries that lead to workplace injuries.
If you have been injured in a commercial fishing accident, contact a workplace injury attorney to discuss how to claim compensation for your losses.
Transportation
Overall, deaths in the transportation and material moving industry fell in 2015. However, accidents in this division made up over a quarter of all fatal work injuries in the United States that year. For example, 745 truck drivers were killed. Pilots and other airline industry members also reported injuries.
The transportation industry incorporates thousands of high-risk occupations, including truck drivers, pilots, flight attendants, commercial truck drivers, and lift operators. According to NIOSH, the most common cause of transportation deaths is vehicle crashes. In fact, vehicle crashes are one of the top two causes of death in nearly every major industry.
If you work in the transportation industry and have been injured in an accident through no fault of your own, reach out to a workplace injury attorney to learn how you can seek compensation for your losses. A seasoned accident attorney will help protect your legal rights, compile evidence, and file a claim for damages.
Warehouse Employees
Many warehouses have goods stacked from floor to ceiling, ready to be shipped out at any time. The workers in charge of moving, organizing, and retrieving these items are at an increased risk of injury. Warehouse workers are at a much higher risk of suffering back, neck, and shoulder injuries due to lifting. They also suffer muscle tears, broken bones, cuts and bruises, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
The high volume, speed, and heavy lifting associated with warehouse work makes it an especially dangerous occupation for workplace injuries. In their desire for the quickest turnaround, warehouse companies do not always adhere to appropriate safety guidelines, which can place workers at even greater risk of injury.
If you or a loved one have been injured while working in a warehouse because of another person’s negligence or malicious actions, contact a workplace injury attorney to discuss your options. You may be able to file a claim to recover costs associated with your accident.
Speak to a Long Island Workplace Accident Lawyer Today
Although New York has established laws and regulations that protect workers, it only takes one mistake or accident for an employee to be injured or even killed while on the job.
If you were injured at your place of work, call the workplace injury attorneys at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP at 516-358-6900 to set up your free consultation. We will discuss your claim and the damages you may be entitled to receive.
