What is the leading cause of workplace fatalities?

The leading cause of work-related fatalities

Overwhelmingly, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of workplace fatalities in the U.S. Car and truck crashes account for 40% of job-related deaths each year, according to the National Safety Council. Motor vehicle accidents are the #1 or #2 cause of job-related death across all industry groups.

Motor vehicle workplace deaths by industry

All workers can be at risk of a fatal work-related crash, whether or not driving is a major part of their job duties. Of course, some industries are more prone than others. Not surprisingly, workers who drive a vehicle as a primary part of their job including truck drivers, delivery drivers, and first responders face the highest risk. Consider the fact that one in three long-haul truck drivers have experienced a serious crash during their career. Motor vehicle accidents were responsible for half of workplace fatalities in the gas and oil extraction industry and 46% of work-related deaths for EMS first responders. […]

Employees sue companies in public nuisance lawsuits

COVID-19, workplace protections, and public nuisance lawsuits

The coronavirus pandemic has drawn attention to issues related to workplace safety and employee protections.

This week, the Pennsylvania Department of Health issues a new order requiring hospitals to better protect healthcare workers from the coronavirus. Hospitals will be required to provide respirators to staff involved in direct care of COVID-19 patients, replace soiled or damaged respirators on request, require universal masking, and notify staff members who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. They must also provide testing for their workers. These changes come after months during which nurses and other healthcare workers complained of inadequate protections, rationing PPE, and other safety concerns.

Workers suing McDonalds, Amazon test public nuisance theory in workplace safety lawsuits

Employees at McDonalds and Amazon seeking better workplace conditions have taken legal action against their employers. […]

Construction workers say productivity trumps safety

In America’s deadliest industry, construction workers say safety takes a back seat

A recent National Safety Council survey found that more than half of construction workers (58%) perceive that safety takes a back seat to productivity on their job sites.

To gauge employee perceptions about workplace safety, the NSC interviewed 2,000 American workers across 14 industries.

Of construction workers surveyed, 51% say management does the bare minimum when it comes to safety; 47% say they’d feel afraid to report a safety issue. These numbers are alarming, especially considering the fact that construction has more workplace fatalities than any other industry in the U.S.

No worker should feel stuck between losing their job, or losing their life. Marcy Goldstein-Gelb, co-executive director of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health said,“When workers can’t speak up, […]

Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer warns of the health risk of shift work

The National Sleep Foundation defines as shift worker as anyone who follows a work schedule outside of the typical 9 to 5 business day. Millions of Americans are considered shift workers, including doctors and nurses, pilots, police officers, customer service reps and commercial drivers among others.

According to WebMD, there are about 8.6 million people performing shift work in the U.S., either through rotating shifts during the week, or working a night job. WebMD quoted a neuroscientist at Harvard Medical School as saying that there is strong evidence that shift work is related to a number of serious health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. Shift work has also been linked to ulcers and other stomach problems, as well as depression and an increased risk of accidents or injury.

Shift Workers and Fatigue

One of the most serious problems shift workers face is frequent sleep disturbance that results in excessive sleepiness and fatigue. […]

How Much Will I Be Paid for Lost Wages?

As Pennsylvania workers’ compensation lawyers, we often find that one of the most common problems related to workers’ comp is how little people know about it. If you’ve never been hurt at work before, the claims process can be confusing. You’ll probably have lots of questions about how and when you can recover your lost wages.

One of the most common ones is: How much will I be paid for my lost wages?

If you suffer an injury on the job that prevents you from being able to work, workers’ compensation insurance exists to cover your medical bills and your wages until you can work again. In this way, workers can recover their losses without resorting to a lawsuit. Just how much you will receive, however, can vary.

Typically, you’ll receive compensation benefits for 2/3 (or 66.6%) of your average weekly wage. […]

The Most Dangerous Jobs in America, 2016

Some of the most dangerous jobs are the ones that our communities depend on the most. We are thankful to those who put their own safety at risk to help others. As we look ahead to Labor Day Weekend, we’re thinking of the laborers with the most dangerous jobs in the U.S.

Last month, CareerCast released the 2016 list of the most hazardous jobs in America.

Is your job in the top 10?

Top 10 Most Dangerous Jobs

1. Construction Worker
2. Correction Officer
3. Emergency Medical Technician
4. Farmer
5. Firefighter
6. Nursing Assistant
7. Police Officer
8. Taxi Driver
9. Truck Driver
10. Veterinarian

Not surprisingly, construction tops this year’s list again. In physically demanding industries like construction, injuries are not uncommon.

Similarly, careers involving driving are particularly risky. […]

Precarious Situations: Why Ladders Cause So Many Injuries

Do you use a ladder at your job? Whether it is just once in a while or as part of your everyday job duties, one mistake can result in a serious fall.

Falls are among the most common types of work-related injuries, and many of these occur on step ladders, expansion ladders, straight ladders, and combination ladders. Approximately 90,000 people are treated in the emergency room for ladder-related falls each year, and almost 1,000 of those falls are fatal. Even if you are comfortable getting up on a ladder as part of your job, accidents can happen to anyone.

Jobs with the Highest Risk for Falls

Not surprisingly, the occupations most at risk for a fall from a ladder include roofers, painters, electricians, construction workers, service and repair technicians, and other skilled trades that require physical labor, climbing, and lifting. However, […]

Follow Up: Supreme Court Hears UPS Pregnancy Discrimination Case

Wednesday, the Supreme Court finally issued an opinion on the pregnancy discrimination case brought against UPS, siding in favor of former employee Peggy Young.

At the end of last year, we blogged about  Peggy Young, the former UPS driver who brought a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit against United Parcel Service nearly ten years ago.  When Young became pregnant with her third child, her doctor advised her that she should not lift more than 20lbs. Because her job duties required her to sometimes lift up to 70lbs, Young requested light duty assignment, which was available for other employees who could not perform their normal job duties due to a work injury, disability, or suspension of their Dept. of Transportation certification. Her request was denied and placed on unpaid medical leave.

Young sued under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act which says, “women affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions shall be treated the same … as other persons not so affected but similar in their ability or inability to work. […]

Working multiple jobs increases risk for injury

Do you have more than one job?

Approximately 14 million Americans do. According to a recent study by the Liberty Mutual Research Institute, people who hold more than one job are at an increased risk for workplace injuries. The LMRI study, published in the American Journal of Public Health, found that working multiple jobs increases the risk of injury (both at work and not at work) by 27%.

The researchers looked at 15 years of data from the National Health Interview Survey conducted by the Census Bureau and compared information on  American adults who held multiple jobs and those who only held one. They discovered that the 14 million people working more than one job were 27% more likely to suffer an injury.

There are a few reasons for this increase in risk. […]

What Not to Do After a Work Injury in Wilkes-Barre

Our Wilkes-Barre workers’ compensation lawyers already shared a few pieces of advice about what you should do if you are injured at work. But, it’s just as important to know what NOT to do in a workers’ compensation case. Here are some key things to make sure you avoid:

1. Don’t delay. The sooner you report your injury to your employer, the better. In Pennsylvania, the law requires that you notify your employer of a work-related injury within 120 days of the incident. But, it is in your best interest to report what happened immediately, even if you think your injuries are minor. What may seem like a minor incident can cause complications down the road, so it is best to have it documented.

2. Don’t lie. In  a workers’ compensation case, it is crucial that you are honest with your employer and your doctor about your injuries and how they occurred. […]

Pregnant workers treated worse than drunk drivers? Discrimination case goes to Supreme Court

Workplace discrimination, in one form or another, is, unfortunately, a common occurrence for women in the workforce today.  The most recent case to make national headlines involves former United Parcel Service driver Peggy Young, who will take her pregnancy discrimination case to the Supreme Court later this week.

When Young, a resident of Maryland, became pregnant with her third child, she was instructed by her doctor not to lift more than 20 lbs. She requested light duty assignment, as was offered to her company’s employees who had been injured on the job or affected by other types of disability and work restrictions. Young was denied, and placed on unpaid leave.  She lost her health benefits and seven months of wages.  Young sued her employer for pregnancy discrimination, arguing that she should be eligible for the same accommodations afforded to non-pregnant employees with similar limitations. She lost twice, […]

Personal injury lawyer warns of 10 deadliest jobs and other unsafe work environments

Thousands of workers die from injuries inflicted at work each year. According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), 4,405 workers died on the job in 2013. Dr. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA said that “making a living shouldn’t have to cost you your life. Safe jobs happen because employers make the choice to fulfill their responsibilities to protect their workers.”

MSN News recently published America’s 10 Deadliest Jobs. The job with the highest fatality rate according to that list is Loggers. This is the 2nd year that loggers have topped the list of fatal jobs.

Here is the complete list of America’s 10 Deadliest Jobs, 2013
1. Logging Workers
2. Fishers And Related Fishing Workers
3. Aircraft Pilots And Flight Engineers
4. Roofers
5. Refuse And Recyclable Material Collectors
6. […]

OSHA tightens standards on workplace injury reporting

Last month, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) strengthened the rules that required businesses to report serious workplace injuries and fatalities. Their goal is to uncover workplace hazards faster and fix problems sooner by requiring companies to report more on-the-job injuries to federal regulators.

According to OSHAs revised safety rule, effective January 1, 2015, companies will be required to report all work-related in-patient hospitalizations, amputations, and eye losses within 24 hours. Current laws only require employers to report in-patient hospitalizations if three or more employees are affected, and amputations and eye losses do not have to be reported. Remaining unchanged is the requirement that employers report work-related fatalities within eight hours.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) preliminary 2013 workplace fatality data found that 4,405 workers were killed on the job in the US in 2013. That translates to an average of 85 deaths per week or 12 deaths every day. […]

Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer says untrained teens in summer jobs are an injury risk

With the end of the school year upon us, many young people are taking on summer jobs. According to the United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Young workers, ages 14-24, are at a high risk of workplace injury because of their inexperience at work and their physical, cognitive and emotional developmental characteristics. They often hesitate to ask questions and may fail to recognize workplace dangers.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that up to 80% of high school students work at least sometime throughout the course of a year, with many working during the summer. Young workers are employed in various industries and may engage in tasks that expose them to different workplace hazards, including operating dangerous tools, machinery, and vehicles, and handling cash in settings prone to robbery. Employers many not fully understand the laws or they may not recognize that these inexperienced workers need special attention. […]

OSHA issues plan to help reduce workplace accidents, deaths

OSHA recently announced this year’s Site-Specific Targeting (SST) plan for general industry employers with 20 or more employees. The primary inspection list for federal OSHA jurisdiction will be comprised of 1,260 establishments in what the agency describes as high-hazard, non-construction industries.

It is OSHA’s goal that the inspection plan will reduce the number of injuries and illnesses that occur at individual workplaces by directing enforcement resources to workplaces with the highest rates of illness and injury. OSHA said the plan is based on survey data of 80,000 employers in high-hazard industries.

Those industries surveyed and targeted include manufacturing, trucking, warehousing, air transportation and courier services, automobiles, construction materials, scrap and waste, groceries, poultry products, department stores, and medical facilities. Among other things, the directive provides a checklist for compliance, safety, and health officers and provides scheduling and inspection procedures.

According to the US Department of Labor, […]

Construction Accidents Leading Cause of On-The-Job Fatalities

Construction work increases with the start of the warmer weather months in the Northeast and Mid Atlantic states. The job of a construction worker continues to be one of the toughest, and getting the right safety training and equipment can mean the difference between life and death.

The injuries that can result from construction accidents can be catastrophic and include spine and back injuries as well as traumatic brain injuries. According to the US Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), 4383 workers were killed on the job in 2012. Out of 3945 worker fatalities in private industry in 2012, nearly 20% were in construction. The leading cause of worker deaths on construction sites was falls.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Department of Labor reported that nearly 3 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported by private industry employers in 2012, […]

Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys discuss workplace injuries and fatalities and new OSHA regulation

4,383 workers were killed on the job in 2012, averaging more than 84 deaths a week or nearly 12 deaths every day, according to statistics from the US Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).

OSHA also reported that out of 3,945 worker fatalities in private industry in 2012, nearly 20% were in construction. According to the US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, fatal work injuries in the private construction sector increased 5% to 775 in 2012. The leading cause of construction site deaths was slip and falls, followed by struck by objects, electrocution, and caught-in/between. These “fatal four” as they are referred to by OSHA were responsible for 56% of construction worker deaths in 2012. Eliminating the “Fatal Four” could save 435 workers’ lives in America each year.

Fatal work injuries in the private mining sector rose, […]

Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer tells you the first thing you should do after a work accident

You have just been in an accident at work and now you have some questions for a Pennsylvania injury lawyer. Questions such as:

• What’s the very first thing you should do the moment after the accident happens?
• What can happen to you if you don’t tell your employer about the accident?
• What if you get a disease or illness from work?
• Can you get workers comp for that?
• Do you have to talk to any insurance adjuster?
• What does a Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer advise?
• How long to you have to get a Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer to file a workers comp case for you?

Here are some answers straight from a Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer:

Right after the accident, you need to immediately tell your boss or a supervisor and make sure a written record is made of the incident. […]

5 Things To Know About Workers’ Compensation in Pennsylvania

You may be entitled to workers’ compensation – read these 5 facts.

The maximum weekly compensation rate for injured workers in Pennsylvania has risen to $1,347 for 2025.

That rate, which applies to workplace injuries occurring on and after January 1, 2025, represents an increase of 1.7 percent from 2024.

Under the state’s Workers’ Compensation Act, hurt workers are entitled to wage-loss benefits equal to two-thirds of their weekly pay. However, there are minimum and maximum limits. The exact amounts are based on the Department of Labor and Industry’s statewide average weekly wage calculation.

Understanding the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act can be challenging, especially with changing average weekly wage amounts, compensation denials, and securing total disability benefits. However, there are key components you should be aware of to ensure a successful workers’ compensation claim.

5 Things You Should Know About Workers’ […]

PA Pledges $20 Million to Help Intellectual Disabilities

The Pennsylvania state budget for 2013-14 will include nearly $20 million to help approximately 1,200 adults with intellectual disabilities.

The goal is to shrink the waiting list for home- and community-based services that are needed by these individuals. Among the covered conditions: Down syndrome, autism, and learning disabilities.

In announcing the budget set-aside, Governor Tom Corbett said, “We need to do a better job of looking after these citizens, who, through no failing of their own, cannot look after themselves.”

People in Pennsylvania with disabilities might be eligible for state or federal financial assistance.

Social Security Disability benefits are available to individuals who have earned wages and paid into the Social Security system in at least 20 of the last 40 quarters. In order to qualify for Social Security Disability, a person must be totally disabled – meaning incapable of performing any job due to the disability. […]