There were a reported 5,250 deaths from workplace accidents in 2018, with the most common attributed to transportation injuries.
Accidents at work can be caused by lack of training, or they can be attributed to slips, trips and falls.
Falls or being struck by an object can cause head injuries, which can have more serious long-term consequences if left untreated.
Compensation can be sought when employers are liable for the injury caused by an accident at work.
Take a look at some of the most common accidents and claims made for workplace accidents.
Transportation Accidents
The most common cause of fatal accidents at work are transportation incidents such as collisions.
There were a reported 44 fatal accidents relating to industrial truck and tractor operators, and 4,970 non-fatal injuries in 2018.
Should the workplace fail to adhere to health and safety legislation and standards, they could be responsible for an accident or fatality caused by an accident in a car, in a truck or long-haul vehicle.
This could be due to a lack of training provided or failure to carry out regular vehicle inspections.
Slips, Trips and Falls
Many people think that workplace accidents are more likely to happen in manual workplaces like the construction industry.
However, slips and falls can happen in any industry, including in the office. Workplace falls are the second most common after transportation injuries, with $70 billion in compensation paid out to employees each year.
Falls are often caused by hazards such as wet floors, defective stairs or loose carpeting, according to Lopez Law Group.
Many of these slips and falls are avoidable, therefore employers can be held liable if they have failed to put in adequate controls to prevent accident or injury.
Repetitive Strain Injuries
Repetitive strains or stress injuries are commonly caused by lifting and handling heavy objects improperly and repeatedly.
They are also common in offices due to repeated hand movements at a computer. It is estimated that 30% of compensation cases for workplace injury are caused by repetitive motion.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be caused by repetitive strain injury, as can tendonitis. Back pain, muscle strain and joint disorders can be caused by lifting and handling.
If your employer has not provided provisions, equipment or training to prevent these injuries, they could be liable.
Manual Accidents
Lack of training is often the cause of manual accidents, as is a lack of hazard control. They are common in the agriculture and construction industries where machinery and equipment are used.
Falling objects can cause head injuries, and equipment can cause cuts, bruising, broken bones or trapped limbs.
The number of workers caught in machinery rose by 13% in 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and OSHA report that one in five deaths are related to the construction industry.
Compensation claims can be made if the employer does not do everything they can to keep workers safe.
No-one should feel unsafe in the workplace, especially when accidents are easily preventable by putting in appropriate measures.
Compensation can be claimed if there is an accident which causes injury and could have been prevented by an employer.
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