In 2022, there were 2.8 million non-fatal occupational injuries reported by private industry, which was a 7.5% increase from 2021. All occupations come with their own sets of personal injury risks. Even individuals who work desk jobs risk certain workplace injuries – but some jobs are more dangerous than others. Check out the most dangerous jobs in the United States of 2024 according to the most recent workplace accident data available.

 

Roofers

Those who work in the roofing industry put themselves at risk of severe personal injuries to repair, replace, inspect, and install roofing systems on buildings. They work at great heights with heavy duty equipment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the roofing industry has the 5th highest employee fatality rate in the construction industry. The fatal injury rate for this profession is 59 per every 100,000 employees, and the non-fatal personal injury rate is 2.4 per every 100 full-time employees. The most common workplace injuries for roofers include slip and fall accidents, and being struck by a falling object.

 

Truck & Delivery Drivers

In 2021 alone, there were 1,032 fatal workplace injuries to truck and delivery drivers in the United States. With tight deadlines and heavy cargo, the risk of a traffic accident, slip and fall, and overexertion related workplace accidents are common in this profession. Slip and fall accidents caused 23% of workplace injuries in this industry, and there were 37,190 personal injuries caused by overexertion and bodily reaction in 2020 alone. The fatal injury rate is 29 per every 100,000 full-time employees, and the non-fatal workplace injury rate is 3.5 per every 100 full-time employees.

 

Construction Workers

Construction workers work in dangerous environments filled with heavy materials, machinery, and physical labor. In fact, the construction industry has the third highest rate of workplace injuries reported among all business industries. The most common workplace accidents in this field are slip and falls, struck by falling objects, and severe back injuries. The fatal injury rate for construction workers is 23 per every 100,000 full-time employees, and the non-fatal personal injury rate is 2.4 per every 100 full-time employees.

 

Electrical Powerline Workers

Electrical powerline workers install, repair, and inspect power lines at great heights, putting them at risk of electrocution. They also work on the road often, which increases the probability of a motor vehicle accident on the job. From 2011-2021, 31% of workplace fatalities were in electrical occupations. The fatal injury rate per every 100,000 full-time employees is 22, and the non-fatal personal injury rate per every 100 full-time employees is 2.1.

 

Waste Collectors

Employees who collect garbage and recyclables have their own occupational risks to contend with, including car accidents, and instances of mechanical failure. The fatal injury rate for this occupation is 28 per every 100,000 full-time employees and the non-fatal personal injury rate is 3 per every 100 full-time employees. Waste collectors also have a high exposure to waste, which raises the probability of occupational illnesses. In 2022 alone, the occupational illness rate for landfill workers was 8.6 per every 100 full-time employees.

 

What to Do After a Workplace Accident

What should you do after a workplace accident to ensure you get the compensation you need to cover your personal injuries? Follow these steps.

  1. Report the accident and workplace injury to your supervisor as soon as possible.
  2. Contact a workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible to assist you with your workers’ compensation claim and guide you through the workers’ compensation process.
  3. Get a copy of the workplace accident report.
  4. Seek medical treatment for your workplace injury and inform your employer.
  5. Be thorough when describing your injury, and inform your doctor of all symptoms.
  6. Keep up with your appointments and treatment – delaying or giving up on treatment will hurt your workers’ compensation claim.

Your workers’ compensation attorney will help you prove your claim, and negotiate on your behalf to obtain a settlement that covers all of your personal injury related expenses.

If you’ve been injured on the job, contact The Hines & Wilson Law Firm as soon as possible to schedule your initial consultation for free legal advice from a skilled Columbia attorney near you. We’ll fight for the compensation you deserve!