BLS Releases Workplace Fatality Report

 Posted on February 06, 2024 in Uncategorized

A report released in December by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reveals that the number of workplace fatalities increased by almost 6 percent in 2022 compared to the number of deaths in 2021. According to the report, a worker died every 96 minutes in 2022.

The following is a brief overview of the report’s findings. If you have lost a loved one in a workplace accident, it is important to speak with an Illinois workers’ compensation lawyer to find out what legal recourse you may have.

Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary, 2022 Findings

The report shows that 2022 was the sixth time in the past seven years that more than 5000 workers were killed while on the job. Transportation incidents (motor vehicle accidents) were the number one cause of death, resulting in the deaths of 2,066 workers and representing just under 38 percent of all workplace fatalities, a 4 percent increase over the year before. The construction industry came in second, with 1,056 fatalities. This was a more than 10 percent increase in deaths over 2021 incidents.

Other types of incidents included in the report were:

• Exposure to harmful substances or environments – Responsible for 839 worker fatalities. Also included under this category were fatalities resulting from unintentional overdoses, which were the cause of 525 worker deaths, accounting for more than 60 percent of fatalities in this group. Unintentional overdoses increased by 13 percent over 2021.

• Slips, trips, and falls – There were 865 workers killed in slip, trip, or fall incidents, a slight increase from the year before. Falls from lower levels were the most common cause of death, killing 700 workers.

• Objects or equipment contact – This category also saw an increase in fatalities from the year before, just under five percent, resulting in the deaths of 738 workers. Almost 200 of those deaths were caused by some type of contact with machinery.

• Violence by persons or animals – An increase of almost 12 percent from 2021. More than 60 percent of these deaths were homicides, with 25 percent occurring to retail workers waiting on customers.

• Suicide – Increased by 13 percent in 2022, resulting in 267 deaths.

• Exposure to extreme temperatures – Fifty-one workers died in 2022, a 19 percent increase from 2021.

Those employed in the farming, fishing, and forestry industries had the highest fatality rate in 2022, while the transportation industry had the highest number of workers killed. Truck driver deaths increased by just under 10 percent in 2022.

Contact a Will County, IL Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has suffered a job injury, do not try to navigate through the complex workers’ compensation system. Find out what type of benefits you may be entitled to and what other legal options may be available. Call Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC at 815-730-1977 to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our skilled Joliet, IL workers’ compensation attorneys.