A job injury can happen in any work environment. However, there are some occupations that carry a greater risk of injury and death than others. In fact, there are some professions in which the risk of dying is 10 times higher when compared to the average American job.
The financial website 24/7 Wall St. recently reviewed fatal injury rates for 71 occupations from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries program. If you or a loved one has been injured in a workplace accident in South Carolina or North Carolina, contact Stewart Law Offices to speak with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney today.
Top 25 Most Dangerous Occupations
The most severe job injuries typically occur in industries that use heavy machinery or have employees working at great heights. But even a desk job could result in a serious injury.
The 25 most dangerous jobs in America include:
- Logging workers
- Fishers and related fishing workers
- Aircraft pilots and flight engineers
- Roofers
- Refuse and recyclable materials collectors
- Drivers/sales workers and truck drivers
- Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
- Structural iron and steel workers
- First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers
- Electrical powerline installers and repairers
- Grounds maintenance workers
- Miscellaneous agricultural workers
- Helpers, construction trades
- First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Police, sheriff’s patrol officers, and healthcare workers
- Construction laborers
- Maintenance and repair workers, general
- Mining machine operators
- Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
- Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
- Electricians
- Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
- Athletes, coaches, umpires, and related workers
- Industrial truck and tractor operators
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Common Types of Workplace Accidents
According to the National Safety Council, a worker is injured on the job every seven seconds. While not all accidents are serious, even a mild job injury may keep an employee out of work for several days or longer.
The most common causes of workplace injuries include:
- Overexertion
- Contact with objects and equipment
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Defective machinery
- Exposure to hazardous materials and toxic substances
- Insufficient safety equipment
- Poor supervision
- Failure to follow safety standards
- Undertrained workers
- Repetitive motion
Most employers in South Carolina and North Carolina are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to help cover medical expenses and lost income resulting from on-the-job injuries. These benefits can be critical sources of support for families while their loved one is recuperating, especially if he or she is the primary breadwinner.
Examples of Job Injuries
Tens of thousands of workers in the Carolinas suffer job injuries that range from mild to catastrophic.
The most common types of workplace injuries include:
- Muscle sprains, strains, and tears
- Cuts and lacerations
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Knee injuries
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Amputation
- Electrocution
- Thermal and chemical burns
- Respiratory problems
- Visual or hearing impairment
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
Workers’ compensation benefits are typically available to employees regardless of who is at fault. Despite this no-fault system, deserving workers sometimes need help getting the benefits they are entitled to. When that’s the case, a knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney can advise them of their legal options.
Need Help with a Workers’ Comp Claim? Call Stewart Law Offices Today
Involved in a workplace accident? Obtaining full and fair workers’ comp benefits can be a vital way to stay financially afloat while you recuperate. But filing claims can be complex and frustrating. Our experienced and compassionate workers’ compensation lawyers at Stewart Law Offices can assist with every part of the workers’ comp process.
Call or contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
