Dangerous Jobs and Workers Comp
The rights and protections Americans enjoy in the workplace were not always as comprehensive as they are today. Even a brief inquiry into the history of American labor can instill a modern person with a deep appreciation for the struggles of ordinary working people to create positive change for future generations. One such positive change is workers’ compensation. This insurance system allows workers injured on the job to receive partial compensation while recovering from their injuries. Before the advent of this system, injured workers would have to work through pain and discomfort, fearing financial hardship and termination of their employment if they took time off to recover. While the new state of affairs is an obvious improvement, the existence of stronger labor protections and health and safety standards has not removed danger from the workplace. Today’s blog post will explore dangerous jobs and workers comp.
A Brief Note on Methodology
Given that workers’ comp is administered on a state-by-state basis, there’s no single number compiled by a federal agency to determine the volume and breakdown of workers comp claims across the varied industries which comprise our economy. However, we can draw on readily available data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics concerning workplace injuries and especially workplace fatalities. From this, we can extrapolate the relative danger of a given profession and their likelihood of filing workers comp.
Dangerous Jobs and Workers’ Comp
Logging
Did you know the forestry industry is the fifth largest employer in the state of Maryland? Recent estimates suggest that as many as 18,000 people are employed in this industry in some capacity. In Garrett and Allegany counties, it is the single largest employer.
This makes it all the more relevant that logging is one of the most dangerous jobs in America. The combination of heavy machinery, dizzying heights, and often unpredictable circumstances can lead to serious injury. Worse yet, the remote locations where timber is harvested can make it difficult for injured loggers to secure prompt medical attention. This can exacerbate already severe injuries.
Roofing
Every building has a roof and every roof is inevitably subject to decay due to the ravages of time and the elements. This means that any owner of even the most modest building will require the services of a professional roofer at some point or another. The inherent risks in roofing are obvious. A roof, by its very nature, is the highest point of a house, barn, shed, or any other building. Working at heights means falls are an omnipresent risk. This can mean broken bones and ligament injuries, but also more debilitating spinal and brain injuries, to say nothing of the emotional trauma associated with an injurious fall.
Public Works
The infrastructure of modern society requires the sweat and expertise of thousands of trained technicians to keep things operating. Public works departments, departments of transportation and other relevant government agencies at the state and municipal level employ large numbers of technicians to handle the upkeep and expansion of roads, power lines, sewer systems, and other public utilities. This umbrella even extends to services like garbage collection.
All these roles require people to put their bodies on the line for the public good. Garbage collectors, electric linemen, highway maintenance workers, and snowplow or street sweeper drivers all risk injury on a regular basis just in the course of performing their jobs.
Agriculture
Your food does not simply appear at the grocery store! The hard work of thousands of agricultural workers and farm owners all across America and the world puts food on your table. These workers engage in taxing manual labor and risk a wide variety of injuries from farm industrial equipment, encounters with livestock, application of pesticides, and simple wear and tear.
Firefighting and Law Enforcement
Similar to public utilities employees, firefighters and law enforcement officers put their bodies on the line to keep society operational. In addition to the more cinematic dangers of the law enforcement profession, which we experience vicariously through film and television, police officers are vulnerable to things like car accidents and wear and tear injuries, both of which can be caused by sleep deprivation while on the job. In addition to all of these, firefighters must be wary of inhaling carcinogenic fumes while on the job. This can lead to lung damage and long-term disability.
Construction
The construction industry is booming in our region. New high rise residential buildings are in high demand and DC leads the nation in office space to apartment conversions. This means plentiful jobs in the construction industry. Unfortunately, these jobs come with exposure to many of the hazards previously elaborated on. Heights, heavy machinery, wear and tear, and the possibility of burns and electric shocks are all part and parcel of the construction industry.
How Malloy Law Can Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in their workplace, Malloy Law can help. Our blog can provide preliminary information on the ins and outs of the workers’ compensation process. In addition, our dedicated legal team is home to the region’s workers’ comp specialists. Our staff will evaluate your case free of charge and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf. People who risk their health performing dangerous jobs deserve protection! Contact Malloy Law today and let’s win your case.
