In a recent statement, U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis expressed concern about the number of workers being injured in the health care and social assistance industry. West Palm Beach injury lawyers know that healthcare professionals play a vital role in our state due to the number of older adults needing long-term care and other injured patients in need of medical attention overall.
Much concern is placed on the safety and protection of construction workers as well, as we frequently post about on our South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog. Not enough is being done to keep these workers sheltered from fall accidents and other work-related injuries to the eyes, hands, arms and various other parts of the body. Employers in any industry have an obligation to protect workers and keep work environments safe and hazard-free.
We know that as the economy bounces back and jobs become more readily available, many industries will see an increase in work-related injuries and deaths in Port St. Lucie, Deerfield Beach and statewide. If you suffer an injury at work, make it a priority to be advised of your rights so you can receive the compensation you deserve.
In recent information released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for Florida, 2010 workplace fatalities reached an annual low since deaths first started being recorded in 1992. The preliminary low total of occupational deaths in Florida for 2010 was 215 compared to the high total of 422 recorded in 2004. The sector which includes trade, utilities and transportation reported the most work deaths at 52, with construction not far behind at 40 deaths recorded in 2010. Workers exposed to harmful environments and substances resulted in 12 fatalities on the job. The majority of work deaths were wage and salary workers in 2010 with the leading cause being transportation accidents. Assaults and violence was the leading cause of death for self-employed workers who comprised less than 15 percent of total workplace deaths in Florida.
According to the recent Workplace Illness and Injury report from BLS, private industry employers reported almost 3.1 million cases of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2010, which equates to roughly 3.5 cases per 100 full-time workers. The 2010 illness and injury statistics presented very little improvement from the 3.6 cases per 100 full-time workers reported in 2009. Over half of the injury and illness cases reported nationwide in 2010 were serious enough to require days off from work, restricted duty or a transfer to another job.
The private construction industry sector reported 4 cases per 100 full-time workers in 2010 nationwide compared to the health care and social assistance industry reporting 5.2 cases of illness and injury per 100 full-time workers.
Injury and illness at work estimates are available for 42 states but will not be released until sometime in November.
If you need more information about workers’ compensation claims in Florida, visit Florida Department of Financial Services online. Work injury and illness claims are highly complex and can be better served with the advice of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney.
Contact Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC if you have been injured at work or need advice about a workers’ compensation claim in Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Oakland Park, Margate or the surrounding areas. Call 1-800-561-7777 for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your claim today.
More Blog Entries:
Landscaper Falls from Ladder in Fort Lauderdale Work Accident, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, September 13, 2011.