Workplace fatalities have increased for three consecutive years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) most recent census. In 2016, there were 5,190 workplace fatalities. This was a seven percent rise from the year before, and the first time since 2008 when workplace fatalities rose above 5,000. The BLS also reported the rate of workplace fatal injuries was 3.6 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2016.
If your spouse, parent, or child was one of the many who lost their lives in a workplace accident, do not hesitate to contact a lawyer and discuss your rights and options. It can be difficult to determine your next steps after unexpectedly losing a loved one. You may not know if you are entitled to compensation, or if you should sue. At The Krist Law Firm, P.C., our workplace accident lawyers will help you find out. We will thoroughly review your situation and advise you on your legal options.
Call us at (281) 283-8500 to schedule a consultation.
Transportation Accidents Are the Top Cause of Workplace Fatalities
The BLS reported transportation incidents cost workers their lives more than any other type of accident. In 2016, transportation accidents transportation accidents caused 2,083 deaths, which accounted for 40 percent of all workplace fatalities.
A wide range of transportation accidents can occur in the workplace, including:
- Collisions between two or more work vehicles
- Collisions between work and personal vehicles
- Single-vehicle accidents
- Backover accidents
- Workers being struck by a work vehicle
- Workers being struck by a personal vehicle
Common Reasons for Transportation Accidents
These types of accidents can happen for any number of reasons. Distraction is a common issue for drivers. Texting co-workers, reading emails, and trying to look paperwork while driving can lead workers to strike another vehicle, hit a person, or cause another type of accident. Speeding, tailgating, inappropriately changing lanes, and other forms of reckless driving increase the risk of crashes, particularly when driving through a work site that lacks distinct roads or traffic signals.
Backover accidents may occur because of drivers being careless, but also happen when individuals are in vehicle’s blind spots. This may happen when there is a lack of communication or supervision at a worksite. Additionally, some workplace transportation accidents happen when drivers are impaired by drugs or alcohol, including prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Additionally, fatigue is a genuine issue in many transportations. Workers who are in physical and strenuous industries may behind the wheel for work despite being overly tired. Fatigue is a legitimate impairment while driving, and can be akin to drunk driving. Tired workers may not notice hazards and have delayed response times. They are also more likely to fall asleep behind the wheel.
Was Your Loved One Killed at Work?
If you lost a parent, spouse, or child in a work-related accident, you should contact an attorney. You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. This depends on whether your loved one was covered by workers’ comp at their job. If they are, this could help you pay for their burial and funeral while still supporting the family.
If they were not covered by workers’ comp, or a person outside of their job caused their death, then you may have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This depends on why the accident occurred and who is at fault. If someone from outside of your relative’s workplace caused the accident, such as if a driver hit your loved one while they worked in a construction zone on a highway, then you may be able to file a third-party liability claim against the at-fault driver, no matter the workers’ comp situation.
Let The Krist Law Firm, P.C. Help
Our legal team at The Krist Law Firm, P.C. has decades of collective experience with workplace accident claims. We are here to listen to your story, review the facts, and provide you with an objective opinion about the next best steps. Whatever you choose to do, we will guide you through the legal process, protect your rights, and fight for you to obtain the compensation you deserve under the law.
Contact us today at (281) 283-8500 to learn more through a free, confidential case consultation.