New data on Ohio work accidents highlights the dangers workers face.
Despite safety campaigns, workplaces are apparently becoming more hazardous and deadly for employees. In 2021, more than 5,000 people died at work or due to work-related injuries, according to newly released statistics.
This is the fifth time in six years that the number of American worker deaths has surpassed 5,000. Overall, fatal work accidents increased by almost 9% - 5,190 fatalities, compared to the prior year.
Fatal work accidents are catastrophic and frequently preventable. As an established Ohio workers' compensation law firm, our attorneys understand how emotionally and financially devastating fatal work accidents are for a victim's loved ones.
No amount of money can replace a family member, but financial help is available for the loved ones of fatal work accident victims through workers' compensation. In Ohio, families of fatal work accident victims can contact Hochman & Plunkett Co., L. P. A., for more information and a free consultation.
Fatal Ohio work accidents in 2021
For Ohio, there were 171 employee deaths in 2021. The majority of fatal work incidents were reported in the manufacturing, transportation, office work, warehousing, construction, mining, and farm labor industries. The Ohio industry with the highest fatality rate was agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting. There were 26.8 deaths per 100,000 employees in this sector in 2021. This was followed by construction, which had a rate of 7.2.
The news has safety advocates calling for quick action to reverse the deadly trend.
"The data ... indicates workplaces have become less safe, and it is heartbreaking," said National Safety Council CEO Lorraine M. Martin. "Everyone deserves the chance to live their fullest life."
Ohio work injury statistics
In addition to fatal work incidents, the number of reported work-related injuries is up, rising to 2.6 million cases in 2021. Ohio industries that reported the most injuries include:
- Food services and drinking places - 4,200 injuries were reported in Ohio in 2021.
- Construction - 3,700 injuries.
- Warehousing and storage - 3,600.
- Fabricated metal manufacturing - 2,800.
- Truck transportation - 2,000.
- Food manufacturing - 1,900.
- Couriers and messengers - 1,900.
- Food and beverage stores - 1,800.
- Plastics and rubber products manufacturing - 1,700.
- Machinery manufacturing - 1,700.
- Motor vehicle parts manufacturing - 1,500.
- Health care and social assistance - 900.
- Motor vehicle manufacturing - 700.
- Utilities - 400.
- Nursing and residential care facilities - 300.
The Ohio industry with the highest non-fatal injury rate was nursing and residential care facilities. There were 8.1 injuries per 100,000 employees in this sector in 2021. This was followed by foundries, which had a rate of 5.3.
Catastrophic work injuries
The most common causes of worker death and injury in Ohio are occupational disease, motor vehicle and forklift accidents, falls, violence, and machine or equipment-related incidents. Other causes include electrocution and engulfment. According to the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, the most frequently reported catastrophic work injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injruies.
- Spinal cord injuries like quadriplegia and paraplegia.
- Amputations of a major extremity.
- Severe burns.
- Multiple trauma injuries involving fractures and crush injuries.
When workers are injured or become ill due to work, they are typically entitled to collect workers' compensation benefits. The families of fatal work accidents also deserve compensation from the benefits program.
Other compensation options may be available to workers and their families through third-party lawsuits. Although workers' compensation may seem straightforward, the process of collecting benefits for medical expenses and lost wages is complex. As a result, applications are rejected and lowballed every day.
That's why it is best to consult an experienced Ohio workers' compensation lawyer as soon as possible after a work injury, death, or discovery of an occupational illness.
Get a law firm with experience handling fatal work accidents
Ohio requires all employers to offer workers' compensation, regardless of company size, either through the Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) or self-insure (SI). Many cases are resolved with a lump sum settlement.
It takes extensive legal knowledge and a deep understanding of the long-term effects of your injuries to successfully settle a workers' compensation claim. Because of this, it's crucial that you consult an experienced Ohio workers' compensation lawyer as soon as possible.
Hochman & Plunkett Co., L.P.A., work injury and workers' compensation attorneys, have more than 150 years of combined legal experience. Whether your accident happened in Dayton, Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Springfield, Troy, Toledo, or somewhere else, we know what it takes to win in Ohio.
If you were injured, made ill, or a loved one died while on the job, contact us to review your legal rights and options.
There is no cost for this consultation and no obligation to hire us. However, a strict statute of limitations applies to workers' compensation and work injury action, so do not delay. Contact us to schedule your free case consultation right now.