The numbers are in, and they spell good news for Connecticut workers. After years of steady increases, the number of work-related fatalities fell nationwide in 2017. However, the 2017 numbers were still noticeably higher than the 14-year low set in 2009.
According to data collected by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were a total of 5,147 fatal work injuries reported during 2017. That number fell from 2016, but it’s still noticeably higher than the 4,551 fatalities recorded in 2009.
Additionally, the BLS reported the rate of fatal injuries compared to total workers fell as well. By their calculations, there were 3.5 fatalities for every 100,000 full-time equivalent workers. That is a slight decrease from 3.6 fatalities per 100,000 recorded the previous year.
On the state level, 27 different states reported fewer fatal accidents in 2017 than in the previous year. That contrasts with the 21 states and District of Columbia that recorded increases. Only California and Maine reported the exact same number from one year to the next. Out of every metropolitan area in the United States, 192 reported at least 5 fatal work injuries in 2017.
The industries with the most fatalities were transportation, material moving, construction and extraction occupations. These four industries made up 47 percent of all fatalities for the year. Of the four, transportation injuries had the highest number of incidents despite recording a slight decrease from the year before.
While this may be a positive development, workplace injury accidents are still commonplace in Connecticut and across the United States. However, employees who are injured while on the job may have a claim for workers’ compensation. An attorney with experience in workers’ compensation law may be able to help a hurt employee get the compensation they are entitled to.
