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Fatal Workplace Injury Accidents on the Rise

AccidentsATwork 320022884 1
July 17, 2020
By Niko Pothitakis
Category: Workers' Compensation
Posted on Jan 07, 2018
accident at work with man on groundA recent report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that fatal workplace injury accidents during 2016 in the United States reached their highest level since 2008. The report found double-digit increases during this time span in workplace violence and overdose fatalities. There were 5,190 fatal work injuries in 2016 and this was an increase of 7% from 2015. This is the first time since 2008 that the number has risen above 5,000. Here's how the numbers break down during 2016:
  • 2,083 work fatalities for Transportation incidents
  • 866 work fatalities for Workplace Violence
  • 849 work fatalities for Slips and Falls
  • 217 work fatalities for Drug Overdose
Loren Sweatt, U.S. Deputy assistant secretary for OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), declared that America's workers deserve better and OSHA is committed to finding new and innovative ways of working with employers and employees to improve workplace safety and health. OSHA will strive to address these alarming trends through enforcement, compliance assistance, education, and training and outreach. Further, she added that the Department of Labor will work with public and private stakeholders to help eradicate the opioid crisis as a deadly and growing workplace issue since it is impacting our workers at home as well as at their jobs. It's important to report incidents or unsafe working conditions to your employer and OSHA to protect yourself and your co-workers.

Surviving Dependents May Recover Benefits for Fatal Workplace Injury Accidents

Fatal workplace accidents place a significant emotional and financial strain on surviving family members. When a loved one dies from a fatal workplace injury, his or her spouse and children are entitled to benefits. Fatal workplace accident cases are different from traditional wrongful death claims, as there is no burden placed on claimants to prove that the employer was responsible for the decedent's death. The only necessary factor to prove is that the fatal injury occurred on the job.

Who Can Recover Wrongful Death Workers' Compensation Benefits?

Typically, surviving spouses and children qualify for wrongful death compensation when a loved one is lost in a workplace accident. This provision extends to stepchildren and, in some cases, other legal dependents of the decedent.
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For the past 15 years Mr. Pothitakis has focused his practice on Workers Compensation and Personal Injury Cases. The firm has two locations, one being in Burlington, Iowa and the other in Keokuk, Iowa. Mr. Pothitakis works with many area unions and employee organizations to provide advice, assistance, and guidance as it relates to employment issues. Mr. Pothitakis provides free consultations to those with legal questions in the firm's areas of practice. In this initial meeting or conference potential clients are provided advice on their need for assistance and how they need to proceed.

If you have been hurt on the job in Iowa, call our personal injury and workers' compensation law firm.

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