What You Need to Know About Workers’ Compensation

 Posted on June 29, 2018 in Workers’ Compensation

In 2016 alone, insurance companies billed out over $45,000,000 in workers’ compensation claims throughout the United States. While the financial numbers for workers’ compensation nationwide only increased by 0.6%, there has been a massive uptick in workers’ compensation claims since 2010. The Insurance Information Institute estimates that in the span between 2010 and 2016, insurance claims for workers’ compensation have increased by over 30%. 

At Salvi & Maher, L.L.C., our personal injury attorneys assist with filing workers' compensation claims and addressing the denial of benefits. We put our decades of experience to work to help clients receive the compensation they deserve. 

Workers’ Compensation Statistics 

While workplace injuries can occur in any and all occupations, the vast majority of workers’ compensation cases originate from physically intensive occupational fields. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), the fields with the most injuries and illnesses throughout 2016 include non-construction laborers, truck drivers, maintenance workers, and construction workers. 

Unsurprisingly, these fields also rank near the top in annual workplace fatalities. Just under one in every five fatal injuries suffered in the workplace involved construction workers. In all, nearly one thousand construction workers lost their lives while working in 2015. 

According to extensive studies conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA), 5,190 American workers lost their lives while working in 2016. While most people assume that occupational deaths are incredibly rare, OSHA’s studies concluded that just under 100 workers nationwide are fatally injured in the workplace each week, with an average of 14 workers killed each individual work day. 

In fields involving manual labor, the vast majority of workplace injuries fall into four categories: falls, being struck by objects, electrocutions, and collapsed structures. In construction alone, falling accounted for 384 on-the-job fatalities in 2016. According to OSHA, many of these fatal falls can be attributed to a lack of fall protection, leaving employees at risk and employers liable. 

Receiving Workers’ Compensation 

Many workplace injuries come with long term implications. Workers’ compensation benefits can help those recovering from injuries pay for medical expenses and rehabilitation, while also making up for income lost due to missed work. In the most severe workplace injuries, victims may be unable to work for long periods of time, and some are unable to return to work altogether. In these cases, temporary or permanent disability benefits can help a family address the financial losses which occurred because of an on-the-job injury.

Contact a Lake County Workers’ Comp Lawyer

In the event of a workplace injury, employees have the right to receive workers’ compensation benefits, regardless of who was at fault. For additional information on filing a workers’ comp claim or ensuring that you receive the benefits you deserve, contact our knowledgeable team of Waukegan personal injury attorneys. To set up a free consultation, call us today at 847-662-3303. 

Sources: 

https://www.osha.gov/oshstats/commonstats.html

https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-workplace-safety-workers-comp