Workplace injury is a daily occurrence in the United States, with 2.8 million non-fatal incidents reported annually. In recent years, the National Safety Council has estimated the total annual cost of workplace injury to be over $161 billion dollars. Besides medical and lost wages expenses paid out to those affected, there number also includes administrative costs and property damage which may have occurred in the incident.
Would You Believe? Administrative costs represent the largest cost factor in workplace injury claims, estimated at $52 billion – $2 billion more than even lost wages.
Workplace Injury Facts and Figures
- When a workplace injury resulted in 6 or more days away from work and involved medical costs, the average cost per incident was $39,000. However, when a death occurred, the cost per incident rose sharply to $1,150,000.
- With an average 9 days off of work per incident, workplace injury represents 104,000,000 days lost in total.
- 34 million days are lost each year due to injuries suffered in a prior year’s accident, meaning that many of these cases have far-reaching effects. These cases generally represent permanent disabling injuries.
- Worker’s compensation claims reach $1 billion dollars weekly.
Trade publication EHS states the following statistics regarding the most common workplace injuries.
- Overexertion injuries: $15.8 billion
- Falls (single level): $10.17 billion
- Falls (multiple levels) : $5.4 billion
- Struck by an object or piece of equipment: $5.31 billion
- Miscellaneous exertions or bodily reactions: $4.15 billion
- Work related roadway incidents: $2.96 billion
- Slip or trip (without a fall): $2.35 billion
- Being caught in or compressed by equipment: $1.97 billion
- Striking against an object or equipment: $1.85 billion
- Repetitive motion injuries: $1.82 billion
The Role of Worker’s Compensation
Workers’ compensationWorkers’ compensationWorkers’ compensation is a type of insurance which provides income replacement and medical benefits to employees injured in the course of their normal duties relating to their employment. Typically, worker’s compensation claims are paid out in exchange for the employee relinquishing his or her right to sue their employer for negligence. Once a worker’s compensation claim is processed and the settlement accepted, the matter is considered legally over.
While worker’s compensation plans address medical bills and lost wages (present and future), they do not take into account pain and suffering and do not offer punitive awards.
In the United States, most businesses are required to carry some form of worker’s compensation insurance. There are also additional coverage options available to augment the coverage should the employer wish to protect themselves further, especially in more dangerous industries.
If you have been injured on the job and you have any questions regarding your workman’s compensation benefits, be sure to contact your human resources department immediately.
You may also wish to contact a local Sarasota or Bradenton area personal injury lawyer, who can advise you as to your options, as well as assist you should you need to collect information from doctors or negotiate a settlement with insurance representatives. In the aftermath of a workplace incident, you may be confused and scared, and tempted to take the first offer that comes your way. Having professional representation to keep a level head is a smart move.
Remember, once you accept a settlement offer or worker’s compensation claim, you typically have no further recourse. Therefore, taking a quick offer may be deterimental to someone who has not yet even determined their long term prognosis. Speak to the attorneys at Probinsky & Cole before proceeding any further. Your livelihood and your family’s financial future mat depend on it.
