The Bureau of Labor Statistics has recently published its Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, and the data reveals that there were 4,679 work-related fatalities in 2014 across the country. This is 2 percent more than the 4.585 fatalities reported the previous year. Workers in Texas might want to learn of the occupations in which most deaths occur from work-related injuries.
The jobs in which most of the 2014 work fatalities occurred were in the transportation and material moving group. The BLS recorded 1,289 worker deaths, a 3 percent increase over 2013 and the highest amount since 2008. These employees also accounted for 28 percent of occupational fatalities, the largest of any job group. Within this group, nearly two of every three cases were truck drivers and drivers or sales workers.
Among jobs in extraction and construction, the number of fatal work injuries rose to 885 or by 5 percent, the highest for this job group since 2008. Construction trades employees were involved in 611 fatal injury cases, a 3 percent rise and the most since 2009. There was an increase in the number of electricians who died from work-related injuries as well.
There was a 9 percent increase in farming, fishing and forestry deaths to 253. This was the result of a 12 percent rise in agricultural fatalities and 31 percent rise in logging deaths.
Among protective service jobs, however, there was a 15 percent decline in fatal work injuries to 211, the lowest for this group. This was the result of a 51 percent fall in the number of first-line fire fighting workers and supervisors to 35, but there was a 17 percent increase in deaths among police and detectives to 103. Among resident military personnel, the BLS reported a decline in fatalities from 71 to 55.
Employees who suffer an on-the-job injury as a result of a workplace accident may want to meet with an attorney to determine if they are eligible to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. If eligibility is established, legal counsel can explain what benefits may be available and how to apply for them.