150 On-the-Job Deaths Occur Each Day

150 workers lose their lives everyday because of hazardous working conditions all throughout the United States.

According to a recent report published by the AFL-CIO, an average of 13 workers die each day because of on-the-job injuries, with another 137 dying because of occupational diseases.

At Garcia Law Group, PLLC we believe that one death is one too many. Manufacturers, corporations, and employers should be held accountable for not providing their employers a safe and conducive working environment. Even though our team of lawyers recognize that compensation can never ease the pain of losing a loved one, it’s still important that the financial needs of the surviving family members are met. Give Garcia Law Group, PLLC an opportunity to help you develop a wrongful death suit.

Tragic Statistics

In 2014, as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a total of 4,821 men and women went to work one day, and tragically, never made it back home. Another estimated 50,000 American workers passed away because of illnesses caused by continual exposure to toxic chemicals, though these numbers are poorly tracked because of frequent misdiagnosis.

Furthermore, the study indicates that in 2014, nearly 3.8 million workers across all industries, had work-related injuries that were reported to employers. However, because of system limitations in tracking these numbers and widespread underreporting, the real number for workplace injuries or illnesses is estimated to be at 7.6 to 11.4 million.

The state with the worst job fatality rate was Wyoming with 13.1 deaths per 100,000 workers. Wyoming was followed by North Dakota at 9.8, Alaska at 7.8, South Dakota at 7.2, and Mississippi at 7.1.

The state of Texas was at 4.5 per 100,000 workers, with a total of 531 deaths in 2014. This number is slightly higher than the national average of 3.4.

The lowest state fatality rate was claimed by Massachusetts with 1.7 deaths per 100,00 workers, followed by California with 2.0, then by Connecticut, New Jersey, and Rhode Island all with 2.1 deaths per 100,000.

Sadly however, twenty-five states saw an increase in the rate of job fatalities between 2013 and 2014, with Hawaii taking this horrendous top spot with a 213% increase.

Industry, Occupation, Gender, Ethnicity, and Workplace Violence

The industry with largest number of fatal work injuries in 2014 was the construction sector with 899. Additionally, BLS reported a record breaking 144 deaths in oil and gas extraction.

Occupations that included transportation and material moving had the highest rate of fatalities with 1,346 deaths.

Male workers were at greater risk of falling victim to a fatal injury in comparison to women and accounted for 92% of deaths while on the job. However, a disturbing trend that affected women at a greater number was workplace violence. Dismally, women suffered 70% of lost-time injuries because of workplace violence.

As per the AFL-CIO report, there were 765 deaths caused by violent acts in 2014, which accounts for 16% of all traumatic injury deaths in the workplace.

The report also notes that Latino workers were at an increased risk of facing a fatal injury while on the job. In fact, Latinos faced a rate that is 9% greater than the overall job fatality rate. In 2014, there was a total of 804 Latino workers who met an untimely death while working. The states with the highest rate of fatalities for Latino employees were Texas at 206 deaths, California at 130, and Florida with 60. Additionally, 47% of those Latino deaths in Texas were immigrant workers.

Furthermore, Latino deaths while on the job have increased by more than fivefold since 2009 for those employed in oil and gas operations.

Interestingly enough, the Pew Research Center found that labor union membership has fallen by 50% over the last 30 years, with only 11% of wage and salary workers members in 2014.

The Lack of Workers’ Compensation in Texas

If these numbers alone aren’t disturbing enough, it can be downright daunting for the common Texas worker to realize that Texas businesses are not required to provide workers’ compensation. This added obstacle is just another challenge that may deter you from seeking the justice and compensation you deserve when you get injured on the job, or when a loved one dies because of a company’s negligence.

The Garcia Law Group, PLLC has the experience of going after the big corporations and industries to fight for your just due. Though suddenly losing your loved to a workplace accident can be nerve shattering, it’s important that decisive actions are taken to ensure that their death does not have to happen in vain.

You and your loved ones should never have to face the risk of death or injury while at work, but if tragedy should strike, know that you have the strength and an ally in The Garcia Law Group, PLLC.