Unsafe working conditions result in fatal workplace accident
Our attorneys explain what you need to know
Two Veterans Affairs hospital employees who were killed while on the job died due to unsafe working conditions that could have been prevented, according to a recent federal investigation.
The fatal work accident occurred in November 2020 in West Haven, Connecticut, according to the Hartford Courant. A recent investigation conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) revealed the incident occurred due to hot steam rapidly releasing onto the two workers. Three other workers were injured in the accident, and the OSHA investigation discovered nine safety violations, including a lack of safety measures that could have prevented the hot steam accident.
Worst of all, such accidents are not isolated incidences. Thousands of people are killed and injured each year around the country in workplace accidents.
How common are workplace accidents?
Despite efforts to improve workplace safety, accidents in the workplace remain common and result in thousands of fatalities and injuries every year. In 2019, there were 2.8 million workplace accidents nationwide, according to statistics compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Such accidents resulted in 888,200 injuries, including 295,180 muscle sprains, strains or tears, along with 136,190 back injuries.
As for workplace fatalities, they reached a 12-year high in 2019. That year, there were 5,333 workplace fatalities, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That figure is the highest number since 2007 when there were 5,657 workplace fatalities.
As for where the workplace fatalities took place in 2019, Massachusetts had 86 workplace fatalities and Rhode Island had 10 fatalities. The state with the most workplace fatalities in 2019 was Texas, where 608 workers died in work-related accidents.
What are the common causes of these accidents?
While workplace accidents happen for many different reasons, certain situations often result in more workplace accidents than others. The most common cause of workplace fatalities are road-related accidents in which employees are driving for work-related purposes. In 2019, for example, 1,270 work-related fatalities occurred due to roadway incidents.
Slip, trip and fall accidents are another common cause of workplace injuries and fatalities. In 2019, a total of 244,000 injuries and 880 fatalities occurred due to slip and fall accidents at work.
Other common causes of fatal workplace accidents include coming into contact with another object or workplace equipment (which resulted in 732 workplace fatalities nationwide in 2019) and exposure to harmful or dangerous substances (642 fatalities in 2019), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How can a lawyer help me?
You might think you don’t need an attorney if OSHA or another state or federal agency is investigating your workplace accident. State or federal investigators are focused on determining the cause of your accident, however, not whether you’re fairly compensated for your injury-related expenses. In addition, your employer, their insurance company, and their attorneys are often doing everything they can to pay you as little as possible or deny your injury claim.
Workplace accident attorney Deborah G. Kohl and her talented legal team at the Law Offices of Deborah G. Kohl have years of experience handling these types of cases. As a result, we’re familiar with the state and federal rules and regulations governing workplace safety. We know how to investigate workplace accidents and find evidence in support of your claim. Whether it’s reviewing inspection reports or accident records, we work tirelessly to build the strongest possible legal case. Learn more about how our law firm can help you with your workplace accident. Contact us and schedule your free case evaluation at one of our office locations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.