Regardless of the type of work a Louisianan does, there is a constant risk of there being a work-related accident and a fatality. Of course, some jobs are more dangerous than others, but accidents can happen in any career path. Whether they occur because of circumstances, negligence, recklessness or for some other reason is important to understanding the cause. This can also be crucial when the family left behind is considering a legal filing because of the loss of a loved one. Research is important to having a grasp as to why these incidents occurred. With that, it is wise to consider the statistics of a fatal accident on the job.
Recently released statistics show that although there was an increase in the number of fatal work accidents in the U.S. from 2015 to 2016, there was a reduction of such accidents in Louisiana. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries says that across the nation, there was a rise to 5,190 from 4,836. However, in Louisiana in 2016, there were 95 fatalities in a work-related incident. In 2015, there were 112. For every 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, there were 5.8 deaths in 2015. In 2016, that lowered to 5.0.
In the state, the number of deaths and the rate in which they occurred has gone down for two years in a row. Nationwide, for every 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, there were 3.6 fatalities in 2016 vs. 3.4 in 2015. Certain industries had more deaths than others. Trade, transportation and utilities led the way with 24. There were 16 each in construction and government. 14 were in natural resources and mining. There were seven in leisure and hospitality. There was a reduction of 12 in construction; eight in transportation and warehousing; six in mining; and three in administrative and waste services.
Any reduction in deaths in the workplace is a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, it is unrealistic to expect the number of work-related deaths to lower to zero. With that, there will always be a family left behind to cope with the loss of a loved one after a fatal accident. This affects them in a multitude of ways financially, emotionally and personally. A legal filing is often the only strategy to seek compensation after awrongful death in the workplace.
Source: wafb.com, “Work-related deaths in La. in 2016 down from previous year,” Rachael Thomas, Feb. 5, 2018
