Workplace Injuries on the Rise Nationally
Overall, American workplaces have become much safer over the past century than they used to be. Even in the last few decades, better safety standards enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and stricter state and federal rules and regulations have all made U.S. labor more safe, healthy, and humane. In fact, before OSHA was created over 40 years ago, it is estimated that 14,000 U.S. workers were killed on the job each year. However, the system is not perfect, and workers are still frequently injured on the job or exposed to toxic substances.
Workplace Deaths Rose in 2016
It is not just in your head. There are more workers getting injured with each passing year, according to new data by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and reported by Scientific American. In 2016, at least 5,190 American workers died on the job–a number seven percent higher than the year before and the highest number since 2008. Moreover, in 2016 there were also 2.9 million non-fatal private sector workplace injuries and illnesses, with an additional 752,600 injuries and illnesses reported by state and local governments. One third of these injuries and illnesses required workers to take time off the job, and the average number of days that each of those injuries or illnesses required in terms of days off was eight. Eight days off from work without pay, on top of medical bills, can quickly send anyone’s budget into the red, which is why working with an experienced Wisconsin attorney is crucial when you get injured on the job.
The Cost of Worker Injuries is Footed by Them and Their Families
Worker injuries, illnesses, and fatalities cost a lot. In fact, a study reported that the cost of both fatal and non-fatal workplace illnesses alone cost a combined total of $58 billion in 2007. Liberty Mutual estimated that serious workplace injuries cost around $60 billion in 2017, while the National Safety Council estimated that the total economic cost of fatal and non-fatal workplace injuries was $142.5 billion in 2015.
A Wisconsin Attorney is Available to Help Today
Unfortunately, employers do not brunt the bill of these exorbitant “costs of doing business.” Instead, the injured workers themselves and their families, along with taxpayer safety programs, pay these bills. Workers’ compensation only covers a small portion. However, your injury does not need to become part of that statistic. A workers’ compensation attorney can help. Call our Amery workers’ compensation attorneys of Novitzke, Gust, Sempf, Whitley & Bergmanis for legal help filing a workers’ compensation claim today.