How Employees Are Most Often Injured in the Lone Star State
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 2.5 million Americans suffer some type of non-fatal injury at work every year. What are the most common types of workplace injuries? What jobs pose the greatest risk of injury? Let's take a closer look.
The Primary Causes of Workplace Injury in Texas
Data collected by state and federal officials indicates that the following types of injuries are most frequently reported:
- Slips, trips, and fall—These accidents can stem from a variety of circumstances, including
- Slippery surfaces, including wet, oily, or icy steps, stairs, walkways, ramps, or floors.
- Slips and falls can also be the result of dangerous or defective flooring, such as torn carpet or linoleum, broken tiles, or damaged floorboards, as well as insufficient lighting.
- Workers may also stumble or trip over trash, debris, or obstacles in the workplace.
- Repetitive stress or motion injuries—In manufacturing, industrial, and even retail jobs, workers may spend hours performing the same physical task. This can lead to a wide range of injuries, including carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, back or neck sprains or strains, and shin splints.
- Motor vehicle accidents—Many workers must get behind the wheel as part of their job, putting them at risk of injury in a car or truck accident.
- Accidents involving tools, machines, or equipment—Another common cause of on-the-job injuries is the malfunction or breakdown of mechanical devices, such as presses, fabricators, assembly tools, ladders, scaffolding, power tools, hi-los, and other equipment. It's not unusual for a worker to be struck by or have a body part get caught in a large or dangerous machine. Unfortunately, far too often, the machines have safety mechanisms built into them that have been disabled, either for ease of use or to enhance production.
- Fires and explosions—Many jobs put workers at risk of injury because of the proximity of gas lines, combustible materials, or open flames. According to the Department of Labor, about 3% of all non-fatal workplace injuries involve either a fire or an explosion, often with serious and catastrophic injury.
Let the Personal Injury Attorneys at Bailey & Galyen Help You When You've Suffered a Workplace Injury
At the law offices of Bailey & Galyen, we bring more than four decades of proven experience to people across the Lone Star State who have been hurt in any type of work-related accident. We know that the civil justice system can be confusing and intimidating, and we will take the time to carefully explain the process at every juncture.
Contact us by email or call us at 844-402-2992. You also can call our offices at one of the convenient locations listed below. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.