Injuries can happen in almost any field of work, but certain industries tend to generate more workers’ comp claims than others! Learn more here.
According to the latest research from the Social Security Administration (SSA), worker’s compensation laws for state and federal workers cover more than 135 million employees. These covered workers received a collective payout of more than $7 trillion each year.
If you’ve ever been injured at work, you know that workers’ comp claims can provide the financial support you need to help cover your medical bills, complete your treatment and get back on the job.
While workers across every industry have the right to file such a claim, the reality is that there are some careers that are simply riskier than others. As such, these tend to generate the most worker’s comp claims.
Do you know if your job falls into this category? Today, we’re exploring the most accident-prone fields, and how to find legal guidance to help you fight for your rights if you ever have to file such a claim.
Ready to learn more? Let’s get started!
1. Healthcare
Whether you’re a doctor, nurse, first responder, or any other professional whose job involves providing health services to others, you’re putting your own life on the line more than you might realize. In fact, according to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), this field reports higher rates of illness and injury than any other private industry sector, topping out at more than 580,000 cases per year.
In addition to direct medical staff, other healthcare workers who frequently file workers compensation claims include those who work within the following fields:
- Healthcare facility housekeeping
- Healthcare facility building and ground maintenance
- Medical equipment maintenance and repair
- Healthcare administration
While it might seem ironic, these workers who are tasked with keeping the rest of us safe are actually at some of the highest risk of experiencing a workplace injury themselves. And, the risk isn’t isolated to large-scale hospitals. Other facilities that see a high number of claims each year include:
- Family medicine clinics
- Urgent care clinics
- Dental offices
- Emergency facilities
- Retirement and nursing homes
- Outpatient surgery facilities
What kinds of dangers do these employees face on a regular basis? While the answer differs according to industry niche, a few of the most common risks include:
- Slips and falls
- Bloodborne pathogens
- Exposure to chemicals, waste, drugs or gas
- Manual lifting
- Exposure to radioactivity
- Lab-related hazards
- Biological hazards
Due to both the physical demands of the job as well as the repetitive tasks that most healthcare workers perform, most of the injuries received are musculoskeletal in nature. In fact, while musculoskeletal disorders comprise 30% of all overall workers’ compensation claims, the majority occur in healthcare environments. There are roughly 249 musculoskeletal disorders per 10,000 healthcare worker’s comp claims, compared to the average rate of 34 such disorders per 10,000 employees.
2. Transportation and Warehousing
Research shows that there are around 5.5 million employees currently working in the transportation and warehousing industry.
This sector made our list in part because it encompasses such a wide variety of positions. While truck drivers and warehouse line workers might be the employees that come to mind, this field also includes anyone who transports or goods by the following means:
- Road
- Rail
- Air
- Water
- Pipeline
In addition, this industry also includes anyone responsible for storing goods or assisting in transportation support activities.
It doesn’t take long to realize why these two industries are at such a high injury risk. Transportation workers assume this risk every time they get behind the wheel. And, warehouse facilities are replete with heavy equipment that could turn dangerous in seconds.
Across these two overlapping industries, some of the most common types of worker’s comp claims include those surrounding the following hazards:
- Unsafe transportation conditions
- Irregular work surfaces (slips and falls)
- Heavy, moving equipment
- Airborne objects
- Toxic chemical exposure
- Cargo handling dangers
- Physical overexertion
In 2017, there were 22 total fatalities reported in the warehousing and storage field alone. In addition, there were 5.1 recordable cases of injury and illness per 100 workers in 2018.
Thanks to modern innovation in driving technology, from lane-change notifications and backup mirrors to HID headlights, night-view lights, automatic high-beam assists and more, transportation has gotten somewhat safer for the average driver. Still, the frequency with which these employees get behind the wheel keeps their overall risk level high.
3. Forestry, Farming, Fishing, and Hunting
Ask anyone for a list of the most dangerous jobs in the world, and logging undoubtedly comes to mind. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this is only one specific job function in the greater industry of forestry, farming, fishing, and hunting.
In addition to loggers, other positions in this sector include:
- Agricultural workers (crops and livestock)
- Fishers
- Hunters
- Conservation workers
- Forest workers
Some of the most common dangers facing these outdoor workers include:
- Dangerous equipment and machines
- The mechanics of large-scale silos and grain bins
- Exposure to chemical hazards
- Unsanitary working conditions
- Respiratory risks
- Excessive heat
- Excessive noise
In 2017, there were 584 total fatalities in the agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting sector. There were also 5.3 cases of injury or illness reported per 100 workers in 2018.
4. Manufacturing
Before a product lands on the shelf, it goes through an extensive manufacturing process that also happens to be incredibly dangerous at certain junctures. Across the supply chain, there are many personnel who face serious risks and assume certain dangers.
Some of the products they help create include:
- Food and beverage (F&B) goods
- Apparel
- Textiles
- Furniture
- Paper
- Electronics
- Machinery
What makes this field so dangerous? Manufacturers come into regular contact with large, heavy-duty machinery that can pose myriad risks. In addition, a few other hazards to contend with include:
- Dangerous chemicals
- Biological hazards
- Slips and falls
- Electrical and equipment fires
- Suffocation risks
While safety and training programs have improved in this industry over the years, it still delivers one of the highest rates of worker’s comp claims in the nation. In 2017, there were 303 total fatalities in the manufacturing sector. There were also 3.4 cases of injury and illness per 100 workers reported in 2018.
5. Recreation, Arts and Entertainment
At first, it might not seem as though workers in the recreation, arts, and entertainment sector would be at much physical risk of injury or illness. What kinds of worker’s compensation claims would they file?
Turns out, more than you think.
This industry is a subset of the greater leisure and hospitality field, employing a total of two million workers. In addition to the artists and performers themselves, this niche includes anyone who works behind the scenes to make a production happen, including:
- Fitness trainers
- Gaming supervisors
- Amusement park attendants
- Recreation attendants
In 2017, there were 102 reported fatalities in this industry, as well as 4.1 cases of injury and illness per 100 workers in 2018. These figures increase when the recreation, arts or entertainment activity is in one of the following industries:
- Spectator sports
- Performing arts
- Other related fields
In this case, the total number of recordable cases of injury or illness jumps to 5.4 cases per 100 workers.
Why Seek Legal Support When Filing Workers Comp Claims?
If you got hurt on the job, a worker’s comp claim can help cover the cost of any medical treatments, surgeries or prescriptions you require. In addition, it can also help cover your costs while you’re out of work.
That’s why it’s so important to approach yours the right way.
Attempting to challenge the insurance company on your own can be frustrating at best and impossible at worst. When you’re facing a long road of recovery ahead, you need a competent legal team on your side to take the reins.
That’s where we come in. We’re a team of experienced and qualified workers compensation attorneys. We’ve been handling cases like yours for more than 15 years, and we’re well-versed in how the process works. We’ll review your case, provide you with guidance, answer your questions, interface with the insurance agency, and make sure you receive the benefits you deserve.
Let Us Handle Your Claim, Starting Today
You should be able to use this time after your accident to focus on recovering. You shouldn’t be faced with calling the insurance company to argue your payout or simply request answers. Especially if you work in any of the industries listed above, you know that workers comp claims happen on a frequent basis, all around the country.
That means to most insurance providers, you’re a mere number, one of the many cases they’ll handle that day. The good news? We don’t see it that way.
We’ll call upon our legal expertise to provide you the maximum amount on your claim, helping you tackle those rising medical bills and make up for lost wages. Contact us today to learn more about the services we provide and let’s take this next step together.