Every year, thousands of American workers lose their lives in on-the-job accidents. Many workplace injuries are preventable: for the last 15 years the number of fatal workplace injuries has been steadily declining thanks to stronger safety laws, better training for workers and increased employer accountability. However, according to the latest statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor, 2010 was a stagnant year for worker safety.
Worker Fatality Rate Mired in Status Quo
The Bureau of Labor Statistics National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries ("CFOI") is an annual report that provides an overview of worker deaths in the United States. Late this August, preliminary results from the 2010 CFOI were released that paint an unsettling picture of workplace safety.
In 2010, the CFOI reported 4,547 deaths resulting from work-related injuries, virtually unchanged from 2009's total of 4,551. The rate of fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2009 and 2010 was identical at 3.5. While worker fatalities thankfully did not increase, it seems a decade-and-a-half of momentum in the right direction may have finally leveled off.
"No worker should have to sacrifice his or her life to earn a living," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis in a statement issued in response to the preliminary CFOI report. "An average of 12 workers die on the job every day, and that reality continues to drive the work of the Labor Department...We cannot relent from our enforcement of laws that keep our nation's workers safe. One worker killed or injured on the job is too many."
The new CFOI did contain some good news: workplace deaths from transportation incidents, violent acts, falls and contact with objects or equipment all decreased slightly in 2010. However, any gains in these areas were offset by a huge increase in deaths caused by fires and explosions.
What to Do if a New Jersey Worker You Love has Been Injured or Killed
The CFOI reported 78 fatal work injuries in New Jersey in 2010. Many of these workers left behind families who depended on them for support, companionship and love.
Of course, no amount of money can ever replaced a lost loved one. But, workers' compensation death benefits and wrongful death damages can potentially help lift the financial burdens placed on families who have lost a provider to a workplace injury.
If someone you love was injured or killed on the job, contact a New Jersey workplace injury lawyer today to ensure you receive the full amount of compensation you deserve.
