As a construction worker or the family of one, you know that construction fields can be dangerous. Each day, you’re exposed to new hazards, and while many safety procedures and protocols are in place, a single error can result in injuries or fatalities. If you’re hurt at work, you probably already know you can claim workers’ compensation or other compensation, but in the case of a worker dying, families may need to seek compensation with the help of an attorney.
Work injuries should be on the decline, and it seems that is the case in Florida from 2003 to 2012. In 2012, there were 209 fatal work injuries according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in a preliminary report. Generally speaking, the rate of injuries in Florida has been on the decline, with fewer people being killed annually than in previous years or the last decade.
In 2004, for instance, there were over 400 workplace fatalities, while in 2007, the number was just over 350. In 2011, the number of fatalities dropped to around 250, while the total came to 209 in 2012. The downward trend may be attributed to a few different things, from better safety standards to safer vehicles for transportation. Florida’s most common workplace fatality link was to transportation incidents, while contact with equipment or objected ranked as the lowest risk.
Slips, trips and falls are still deadly in the workplace, with 21 worker deaths taking place in 2012 due to those circumstances. Construction has still been listed as the most dangerous occupation with the most worker deaths overall.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Fatal Work Injuries In Florida-2012,” accessed Oct. 01, 2015
