Most workplace injuries are avoidable with the right safety procedures in place. With around 30 severe work-related injuries occurring each day in the United States, it’s easy to see how important it is that worker safety is taken seriously.
You might have gotten hurt walking along unsafe scaffolding, using heavy equipment or by an explosion in a grain bin. No matter what the cause, when you’re hurt on the job, it’s important that your injuries are taken seriously. You have rights as an employee, and workers are entitled to workers’ compensation in the majority of cases.
Aren’t today’s workplaces safer than they used to be?
It is safer to work in the United States today than it has been in the past, but that doesn’t mean improvements can’t be made. In 2015, there were 10,388 severe injuries caused by work environments. Of those, 2,644 results in amputations, and 7,636 required hospitalization
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) looked at data from 26 states with high safety standards. Those states have higher standards than the government requires, and still they reported 30 severe injuries related to work each day. The manufacturing industry is the worst, with 57 percent of the above amputations and 26 percent of hospitalizations reported.
Companies are required to report serious workplace accidents within 24 hours of the incidents. This system was created to help reduce the number of injuries occurring in the workplace.
If you’re hurt on the job, your employer should report that injury and help you get the compensation you need by helping you file a workers’ compensation claim. If you’re retaliated against or unable to file for other reasons, your attorney may be able to help. Our website has more information about workplace injuries.