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Motor Vehicle Accidents 
Employer violations of OSHA safety laws and regulations are the direct cause of thousands of workplace injuries each year. When accidents occur because of such violations, the companies may pay large fines. At the same time, employees also pay with lost wages, serious injuries, and even death.
Working in the healthcare industry can be surprisingly hazardous. In fact, a recent report referred to nursing as one of the most dangerous jobs in America. And the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the risk for serious injuries or illnesses that result in lost time from work is higher in the healthcare industry than it is in manufacturing and even construction.
There are plenty of ways employees can experience injuries on the job, but here are some of the most common that can result in a workers’ compensation claim in many cases. Consultants for the National Safety Council travel across the globe to visit different workspaces and conduct safety audits, and these are some of the more common workplace dangers they’ve found.
Approximately 13,000 landscapers are injured on the job each year. Individuals working in horticulture and landscaping face a number of risks on the job including slips and falls, electrocution, amputation, hearing loss, and exposure to the elements. Nationwide, there are approximately 900,000 landscape workers.
In Illinois, extreme temperatures have a big impact on health risks and injuries for outdoor workers. A Chicago work injury lawyer often handles workers’ compensation claims for heat and cold-related injuries for outdoor workers.
In 2015 BLS study, approximately 2.9 million nonfatal injuries were reported by private employers. Recent data shows that the overall rate of workplace injuries stands at 117 injuries in 10,000 workers. Unfortunately, most workers’ compensation claims in Illinois end up being denied by claim administrators and insurance providers.
A number of types of advanced technological tools have been developed and improved in the last few years to enhance safety in the workplace. A recent report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reveals that there were nearly three million work-related recordable injuries and illnesses across the United States in 2015 alone.
Trench collapses claimed 26 lives in 2016. This was more than the number of workers who died in 2014 and 2015 combined. Even at shallow depths of 4 to 5 feet, trench collapses can be particularly lethal as they can bury workers in mud, rock, and water making it impossible for them to breathe or extract themselves.
Potential changes to workers’ compensation laws could negatively impact employees. A change in Illinois is facing a vote in the state Senate and House. Other states have already enacted severe cuts that leave injured workers with large medical bills.
According to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are over four million cases of non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported each year. Of these injuries, almost 900,000 cases are back-related injuries that result in lost work time or restricted work activity.