What Are The Types Of Compensation?

Workplace Accidents

The number of workplace accidents is growing in part because of a lack of safety awareness

Workplace injuries are on the rise. According to a recent report from the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, injuries rose in the United States in 2018. That was the highest rate in five years. In fact, the injury rate is on pace to reach a level last seen in the mid-1970s, according to the report.

One reason for this increase is that many workers are unaware of the dangers they face at the workplace. A new survey by the Society for Human Resource Management found that 40% of employers reported that their employees were injured on the job because they didn't know the safety rules. Among those who knew the rules, only half followed them.

According to the report, the number of serious injuries increased by 1.5%, while non-serious injuries grew by 3.8%. Although this increase seems small, it's actually greater than the average annual increase over the past 10 years.

Why do workers become injured?

When we talk about workplace accidents, we often think about injuries that result in broken bones, sprained joints, and even death. But there are plenty of other reasons why workers are injured on the job.

A study of OSHA records found that there are 10 different injury types that account for more than half of workplace injuries. These include being struck by objects or equipment (such as by a forklift), being caught in machinery, being exposed to toxic substances, or slipping and falling.

The reasons that workers get hurt vary widely, depending on the type of accident. A worker who is struck by a piece of machinery might be injured by a machine that is malfunctioning or might be harmed by faulty maintenance. A chemical spill could cause an employee to get sick or experience a respiratory reaction. If the worker slips and falls, he or she might slip on water, mud, or ice.

Most of the time, workers aren't injured because their employers are negligent or careless; rather, they are injured because of simple human error. An employee who works in a fast-paced environment can easily get distracted or tired, and that can lead to mistakes.

Other accidents that occur on the job are due to intentional acts by coworkers or supervisors. For example, a coworker might deliberately cause damage to a machine. Or, a supervisor might deliberately assign an employee to do dangerous work.

Injuries that result from an accident can be costly to companies. Workers who are injured while at work are more likely to miss work and to require medical attention. Additionally, they are more likely to suffer a loss of wages and to file a workers' compensation claim.

Workers' compensation claims can be complex, so it's important to consult an experienced lawyer as soon as possible after an injury occurs.