Workplace Fatality Rate Reaches a 10-Year High

Workplace fatalities have been steadily rising for the past three years now, but with a nearly seven percent increase from 2015 to 2016, rates are the higher than they have been in nearly 10 years, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports. With possible budget cuts on the horizon, the federally funded agency is concerned that these rates will continue to rise – and that there will be little they can do to stop it. Thankfully, workers can learn how to protect themselves from a fatality while on the job. Learn more in the following sections.

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistic’s Job Fatality Report for 2016 revealed several disturbing workplace fatality trends. Those related to work-related motor vehicle accidents were far from alarming, considering the general increase of car crashes throughout the country, but that does not make them any less concerning. Found to be the direct cause of one in four workplace deaths and even more nonfatal injuries, this trend is likely to continue unless it is appropriately addressed by employers, safety advocates, and the government alike.

Workplace violence has become an almost epidemic in the United States. In fact, statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that this cause of workplace fatality had increased by a startling 23 percent from 2015 to 2016. Much of that increase may be attributed to the uptick in violence against healthcare professionals, but other factors and situations may be responsible as well. In either case, victims could be owed compensation.

Although motor vehicle accidents and violence in the workplace are responsible for a large portion of the increase in workplace fatalities, they are not the only causes. Other common causes include:

• Chemical exposure;
• Failure to properly perform lock-out/tag-out procedures;
• Poor maintenance of equipment or machinery; and
• Failure to provide adequate training to at-risk employees.

If someone you love has been killed in a workplace accident, contact Corsiglia, McMahon & Allard, LLP for assistance. Compassionate and experienced, our San Jose work injury lawyers will aggressively protect your right to pursue full and fair compensation for your loss. No matter what the circumstance, we will strive for the most favorable outcome possible. Get started by scheduling a free and personalized consultation. Call (408) 289-1417 today.