What Jobs Put Workers at Risk of Suffering an Injury?

Every job comes with injury risks. Even though some industries are more dangerous than others, the reality is that even a relatively safe desk job can result in a person sustaining injuries that affect their day-to-day lives. Here, we want to discuss which jobs in Georgia tend to be the most dangerous for our residents. We also want to look at what you can do if you sustain an on-the-job. Finally, we want to look at whether or not you can recover compensation if your loved one passes away as a result of a workplace injury.

What are the most dangerous professions in Georgia?

When we turn to information available from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), we can see that there were 207 total workplace fatalities in Georgia during a recent reporting year. Nationwide during that same year, there were 5,333 total workplace fatalities.

In Georgia, transportation incidents were responsible for 81 fatal workplace injuries. Additionally, workplace violence and injuries caused by animals accounted for 36 total fatalities. 

The transportation industry (truck drivers, bus drivers, metro operators, etc.) is usually the most dangerous in Georgia. However, the private construction industry usually sees a significant number of fatalities each year in this state.

What to do after an accident at work?

There are various steps that you can take after sustaining a workplace injury in Georgia to help ensure that you receive the compensation you are entitled to. This can include:

1. Seeking immediate medical care. It is crucial for any person who sustains a workplace injury to seek medical care as soon as possible. Failing to seek medical treatment after a workplace incident could give an employer or the insurance carrier a reason to deny the claim.
2. Reporting the incident. It is important to report a workplace injury as soon as possible to a supervisor or the employer. However, sometimes, the severity of an on-the-job injury is not immediately understood. The law in Georgia allows workplace injuries to be reported to an employer within 30 days from the date the incident occurred.
3. Continuing all medical care. After you report an injury, it is important to consult with the physicians specified by the employer or the insurance carrier. Additionally, all treatment plans need to be followed. Discontinuing medical care or failing to go to specified physicians could result in a claim being delayed or denied.

Can you recover compensation for the death of a loved one?

In general, we will find that family members will be restricted concerning how much compensation they can recover after they lose a loved one due to a workplace accident. Workers’ compensation laws in Georgia typically prevent individuals and family members from filing a lawsuit against an employer for an injury or death that occurs on the job. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, when injuries or fatalities are triggered by the actions of a third party, this will usually allow the deceased’s family to file a lawsuit to recover compensation. Additionally, if the injuries were caused by the intentional actions of a third party for reasons personal to that employee, family members will typically be able to file a lawsuit to recover compensation.