Some workers in Louisiana are surely aware of the dangers they face in their workplace. Many, however, likely feel relatively safe. A recent study reveals that workplace injuries can happen at any type of business or place of employment. These injuries often leave workers wondering how they will pay medical bills and cope with loss of wages while they recover.
According to the National Safety Council, a worker in America is injured every seven seconds. That averages out to approximately 4.7 million injured workers each year, with almost 13,000 people injured each day. A recent study indicates that approximately 25 percent of injuries happen in a worker’s first year. Additionally, almost two thirds of injuries occurred in the 18 to 34 age group and the 55 or older age group.
The study examined workers’ compensation claims over five years. Of the 1.5 million claims examined, the most common were relatively minor and resulted from tasks such as lowering, lifting or carrying something. The next most common injury resulted from falls, slips or running into something. These types of injuries affected construction workers more frequently that other types of workers. While serious injuries, such as amputations or electrocutions, occurred at the lowest frequency, they were, perhaps not surprisingly, the most expensive in terms of medical costs.
Unfortunately, many workers may have difficulty securing the compensation they deserve as a result of workplace injuries. Some injuries, such as those that occur from repetitive actions, may be difficult to identify or prove as work related. As a result, many people in Louisiana seek the guidance of an experienced attorney who can help guide them through the compensation process.
Source: CBS News, “What happens every 7 seconds: A workplace injury“, Ed Leefeldt, May 18, 2016
