When workers are injured, it’s important that they receive their workers’ compensation benefits to cover medical bills and costs of living. These benefits can mean the difference between dignity and severe hardship while healing. These claims are sometimes denied, which is where the Provo, UT lawyers of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton can help.
Rather than discuss workers’ compensation appeals and other matters related to the process, we’d like to consider some revealing numbers about work injuries and workers’ compensation benefits. These facts and figures tell a fascinating story about workers across the country.
The Extent of Workers’ Compensation Coverage
The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that workers’ compensation insurance covers more than 140 million people. This accounts for about 94 percent of all workers in the United States. The total cost to employers annually is around $95 billion.
Number of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses
Figures from the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics estimate that there were 2.9 million non-fatal injuries suffered by American workers. Of that number, 892,270 private sector injuries resulted in days away from work.
Current Workers’ Compensation Numbers in Utah
U.S. Department of Labor Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation (DEEOIC) Program has kept tabs on work injury numbers by state. According to DEEOIC 2018 statistics for Utah, there have been 4,398 workers’ compensation claims filed so far, resulting in 2,143 payments. The total amount covered in compensation and medical expenses in Utah is $253.4 million.
Private Industry Occupations with Highest Incident of Injury
According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the following 10 private sector occupations had the highest incidents of injury in 2016:
- Non-construction laborers – 63,790 injuries
- Large truck drivers (heavy, tractor-trailer) – 48,710 injuries
- Janitors and custodians – 36,470 injuries
- Nursing assistants – 36,340 injuries
- Repair and general maintenance and workers – 27,900 injuries
- Stock clerks and order fillers – 24,890 injuries
- Construction workers – 24,650 injuries
- Registered nurses – 24,310 injuries
- Retail salespersons – 23,480 injuries
- Light truck and delivery drivers – 22,650 injuries
Worker Fatality Numbers
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) numbers calculated that there were 5,190 workers who were killed on the job in 2016. This breaks down to more than 99 workers killed on the job a week, or more than 14 workers killed on the job each day.
Of the 5,190 work fatalities, 4,693 (21.1 percent) were people who worked in construction.
Leading Causes of Workplace Fatalities
According to a breakdown of fatal on-the-job injuries, the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) found the following leading causes of death:
- Transportation and vehicle crashes – 2,083 deaths
- Falls – 849 deaths
- Assaults and violence – 866 deaths
- Contact with objects and equipment – 761 deaths
- Exposure to harmful substances or environments – 518 deaths
- Fires and explosions – 88 deaths
Figures on Denied Workers’ Compensation Claims
Workers’ compensation claims may be denied on the first attempt, but that is no reason to give up. The people at Lawyers.com estimate that up to 47 percent of their readers had their claims initially denied. The insurance company Lockton estimated that 67 percent of initially denied claims are eventually paid within a year. This speaks to the importance of the appeals process following a work-related injury.
Contact Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton
To learn more about issues related to workers’ compensation and how our law firm can help, be sure to contact our team of injury accident attorneys. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton is here to help you. You can reach our Provo office by phone at (801) 753-1616, our West Jordan office at (801) 509-7102, our Orem office at (801) 669-8835, and our Saratoga Springs office at (801) 341-8424.