When it comes to the most dangerous jobs in America, our minds immediately jump to construction workers, police officers, firefighters, and fishermen (thanks to the Discovery Channel).
You may be surprised to find out that nurses and health aides who work in state-run residential facilities are actually the most prone to workplace accidents. During the latest reporting year, there were 164,300 employee injuries and illnesses in the industry.
“Not only are they lifting patients out of the bed, but they’re repositioning them, they’re trying to prevent patients from falling,” said Deborah Berkowitz. She said back injuries are a particular problem. Workers in this industry have an injury and illness rate of about 13.4 per 100 workers according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
At Hiden, Rott & Oertle, LLP, we know that many jobs pose dangers for employees and that people in all industries are at risk of workplace injuries and illnesses. If you need a San Diego work injury attorney, you can count on our knowledgeable and experienced team to be by your side, working to secure the compensation you deserve.
What Happens
The top five most dangerous jobs and their incidents per 100 workers are as follows:
- Nursing and residential care workers – 13.7
- Veterinary services – 12.3
- Truss manufacturing – 10.2
- Police officers – 10.2
- Firefighters – 9.5
We also know that jobs like landscaping, highway construction, and roofing pose significant dangers, but there are many other jobs that see workplace injuries.
Traumatic injuries in the workplace are common and can include things like falls, vehicle accidents, electrocutions, and more. We also want to note that repetitive stress injuries are also common. These injuries manifest over longer periods of time and are caused by workers performing the same motions over and over again. These injuries are harder to pinpoint on a workplace cause because they take so long to develop, but they should be covered by workers’ compensation.
Mental health illnesses can also develop due to the workplace environment. Many workers in high-stress jobs report developing depression, anxiety, ADHD, or other mental illnesses. While we often associate these problems with jobs like social work, law enforcement, and the military, we know now that other pressurized jobs can lead to them as well. Mental health illnesses can quickly manifest themselves into physical symptoms.
What Are Your Options
Have you been denied workers’ compensation insurance after a workplace injury? Worse, have you been fired for reporting an injury?
At Hiden, Rott & Oertle, LLP, we want to help. We will work to ensure that you are treated fairly. If you have been injured or gotten ill due to a workplace incident, we will work to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. That can include:
- Coverage for medical expenses
- Lost income
- Reinstatement if you have been fired
- Punitive damages
- Court costs and legal fees
When you need a San Diego work injury attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling our office.