Tens of thousands of American workers are injured in on-the-job accidents every year, which is why every state requires employers to purchase workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation claims are quite rare in some industries, but they are worryingly common in others. Here are five business sectors that have regular workers’ compensation claims.
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1- Nursing
Nurses and other health care workers take risks when they care for patients, and more than 580,000 of them are injured or become sick while at work each year. Nurses often have to deal with mentally unbalanced individuals who can become dangerous without warning, and they frequently injure their backs while trying to move obese patients. The constant stress of working in a fast-paced environment like a hospital makes nurses more vulnerable to workplace injuries, and one prick from an infected needle can cause serious health issues.
2- Construction
More than 1,000 construction workers die in on-the-job accidents each year. The industry is highly regulated, and the rules are enforced rigorously, but working in construction remains one of the most dangerous jobs in America. Construction workers use powerful machinery, perform their tasks at great heights, and are exposed to toxic substances on a regular basis, and their work is grueling and physically demanding. This is why thousands of construction workers contact workers’ compensation attorneys each year.
3- Law Enforcement
Police officers have dangerous jobs, and violent criminals are not the only threat they face. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of work-related injuries in the United States, and law enforcement officers do a lot of driving. Traffic accidents account for almost a third of all law enforcement line-of-duty fatalities, and they claimed the lives of almost 500 police officers between 2014 and 2023.
4- Airlines
High noise levels, relentless pressure, and enormous aircraft make airports very dangerous places to work. Baggage handlers and maintenance crews have to remain vigilant at all times, as walking too close to an operating jet engine or not noticing an approaching truck can be fatal mistakes. When they let their minds wander for even a moment, airline ground personnel can be involved in catastrophic accidents. Pilots and flight attendants also face on-the-job risks. Pilots can develop back problems caused by prolonged sitting, and flight attendants are often injured in altercations with intoxicated or unruly passengers.
5- Trucking
Truck drivers face several work-related hazards. Loading heavy cargo can cause serious musculoskeletal injuries, and operating a large and cumbersome vehicle on American highways can be quite dangerous. Driving a truck for a living also makes maintaining a healthy lifestyle difficult. Truck drivers rarely get a chance to exercise, often eat food high in salt, sugar, and fat, and follow strict federal hours of service rules that interfere with the body’s natural wake-sleep cycle.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
When workers suffer job-related injuries or develop job-related illnesses, workers’ compensation benefits can help them make ends meet. Dealing with insurance companies, paperwork, and deadlines can be very challenging for workers recovering from serious injuries or illnesses, which is why so many of them ask experienced professionals to help them navigate the workers’ compensation claims process.