Work accidents are inevitable. Even if your workplace follows all the safety protocols, there is always a risk of mishaps. These accidents often lead to injuries from mild concussions to life-threatening ones.
Fortunately, injuries from work-related accidents are compensable in the US. If you get hurt at work, you’ll most likely be able to claim benefits.
But before that, we first need to understand how likely you are to suffer from work accidents and the workplace hazards that often lead to them.
WORK ACCIDENT STATISTICS IN THE US
Despite all the safety regulations, work accidents are still prevalent in the US.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 2.8 million non-fatal work injuries were reported by private employers in 2022. In contrast, more than 5,486 workers suffered from fatal work injuries that same year.
If we are to crunch the numbers, that amounts to more than 7,500 people suffering from work injuries every single day. But this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Here are other statistics to give you an overview of work accidents in the US for 2022:
- From 2021 to 2022, there were 2.2 million cases involving days away from work.
- On average, injured workers spend 10 days away from work following a work-related accident.
- Between 2021 and 2022, there were 759,560 days away from work cases involving persons aged 25 to 34.
- In the transportation and material moving occupations during 2021-2022, most Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred (DART) cases, totaling 329,150, were attributed to overexertion and bodily reaction.
- Of the DART cases, 165,690 led to one or more days away from work, with a median duration of 21 days spent away from work.
COMMON TYPES OF WORK ACCIDENTS IN THE US
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are the most common work accidents between 2021 and 2022:
1. EXPOSURE TO HARMFUL SUBSTANCES OR ENVIRONMENTS
Number of reported DAFW (days away from work) cases: 634,080
In 2019, exposure to harmful substances and environments was among the least common workplace accidents. But from 2021 to 2022, it climbed to the top almost overnight due to recent events.
Exposure to harmful substances or environments includes incidents like:
- exposure to electricity
- exposure to radiation and noise
- exposure to extreme temperature
- exposure to air and water pressure change
- inhalation or ingestion of harmful substances
- exposure to harmful substances through the skin, eyes, or any other exposed body part
- exposure to a traumatic or stressful event
2. OVEREXERTION AND BODILY REACTION
Number of reported DAFW cases: 521,350
Overexertion happens when you push yourself beyond your physical limits. This data includes overexertion while:
- lifting and lowering
- pushing, pulling, or turning
- holding, carrying, or wielding
- throwing or catching
- bending
- crawling
- reaching
- twisting
- climbing
- Stepping
This type of injury also happens due to repetitive motions as a result of:
- microtasks (typing, texting, key entry, etc.)
- repetitive use of tools or instruments
- repetitive use of hands (without tools or instruments)
3. FALLS, SLIPS, AND TRIPS
Number of reported DAFW cases: 450,540
Falls, slips, and trips include injuries resulting from:
- slipping on a substance
- slipping on a vehicle
- tripping on an uneven surface
- tripping from stepping into a hole
- tripping over an object
- tripping over oneself
- falling due to tripping
- falling while climbing stairs, steps, or curbs
- falling from collapsing structures or equipment
- falling through a surface or existing opening
4. CONTACT WITH OBJECT OR EQUIPMENT
Number of reported cases: 450,050
This includes getting:
- struck by objects or equipment
- struck by a powered vehicle
- caught between a rolling powered vehicle and an object
- run over by a rolling powered vehicle
- struck by a swinging or falling part of a powered vehicle
- struck by a vehicle tipping over
- struck by an object or equipment being pushed by the injured worker or another person
- struck by an object or equipment rolling freely
5. TRANSPORTATION INCIDENTS
Number of reported DAFW cases: 85,000
This includes:
- aircraft incidents
- rail vehicle incidents
- collisions between rail and roadway vehicles
- animal transportation incidents
- pedal cycle incidents
- pedestrian vehicular incidents
- water vehicle incidents
- incidents involving motorized land vehicles
TOP CAUSES OF WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS
According to OSHA, these are some of the most common causes of workplace accidents in the US:
- breach of safety protocols
- poor lighting
- improper storage and handling of hazardous materials
- lack of proper hazard warning
- unsafe ladders and scaffoldings
- inadequate respiratory or face and eye protection
- inadequate fall protection
- lack of employee safety training
- lack of personnel guarding the machines
- unsafe machinery
- safety violations for powered industrial trucks
WHAT ARE YOUR RIGHTS IF YOU GET INJURED AT WORK?
As mentioned, injured workers have rights, too. You can claim workers’ compensation benefits if you prove your injury is work-related.
Since workers’ compensation laws are implemented on a state level, the rules and regulations tend to vary. But generally, your workers’ compensation settlement will include medical benefits and lost wages compensation.
MEDICAL BENEFITS
Workers comp laws in most states require employers or insurance companies to pay for all necessary medical expenses. With that, medical benefits typically include payments for:
- emergency treatment
- medications
- medical supplies
- orthopedic devices (if needed)
- surgery (if necessary)
LOST WAGES COMPENSATION
To determine wage loss benefits, work-related injuries are classified into:
- temporary partial disability
- temporary total disability
- permanent partial disability
- permanent total disability
Each of these tiers has a corresponding percentage for wage loss benefits. They are typically paid twice a month until you reach maximum medical improvement or return to work, whichever comes first.
HOW TO CLAIM WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
If you’ve recently suffered a work-related injury, here’s how to file a workers compensation claim:
1. REPORT YOUR INJURY
The first step to making a workers comp claim is to inform your employer about the accident and your injury. Most states have a time limit for reporting injuries. In Florida, you must report your injury within 30 days of the accident. Otherwise, your claim can be denied.
After reporting your injury, your employer will inform your insurance provider. They will evaluate your claim to see if it has enough merit or if you have enough evidence to back it up. Sometimes, they may ask for additional evidence or send a workers comp investigator after you.
2. GATHER EVIDENCE TO PROVE YOUR CLAIM.
You must have enough evidence to support your claim to increase your chances of getting approved for benefits. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may need to gather:
- medical reports
- testimonies from witnesses
- testimonies from people who know about your injury
- your medical history
- your employment or education records
3. NEGOTIATE A SETTLEMENT
Once your claim is approved, the next step is to negotiate a settlement amount with your employer and insurance provider. This is where most injured workers often get the short end of the stick.
You see, insurance companies don’t like paying benefits. So you can expect they’ll pay you the least compensation they can legally get away with. Plus, they’ll likely have their legal team to make sure that’s exactly the case.
You must hire an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer like Victor Malca. He has already helped thousands of injured workers in Florida get the benefits they rightfully deserve. He can help you get yours, too. Call us now for a free consultation.
(Related: How Does An Impairment Rating Chart Work?)
VICTOR MALCA – Florida Workers Compensation & Social Security Disability Attorney
Victor Malca P.A. has over 27 years of litigation experience in Workers Compensation and Social Security Disability lawsuits. His experience and continued success when fighting for his clients puts him among the most trusted workers’ compensation attorney’s in Florida. He specializes in representing injured workers on compensation benefit cases and disabled individuals claiming lost social security disability benefits.
Book a free consultation today. Our unwavering advocacy for employee rights and privileges are recognized by our past clients across South Florida.
About The Author
Meet writer Rei Bayucca, a graduate of Saint Louis University with a passion for writing about legal topics. Explore insightful articles tailored to solve your most pressing issues. Rei’s expertly crafted content is thoroughly researched and fact checked.