Thousands of people in Georgia suffer work-related injuries or illnesses each year. While most of these injuries are not fatal, workplace injuries can take a severe physical toll and cost workers a lot of money. A workplace injury can even leave a victim with lifelong disabilities in some cases.
To illustrate the size of this problem, the Georgia workers’ compensation lawyers at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC want you to be aware of statistics on the most common workplace injuries and how often they occur.
Georgia Workplace Accident Statistics
According to recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were about 91,200 nonfatal workplace injuries or illnesses across Georgia in just one year. In about 44,000 of these cases, the injured worker had to take at least one day off, was transferred, or had work restrictions.
The BLS workplace injury statistics also report Georgia had 193 fatal workplace injuries or illnesses in another recent year. The biggest cause of workplace accidents resulting in death was transportation accidents. The other top causes of these workplace injuries were harmful contact with objects or equipment and falls. Men made up the overwhelming majority of fatal workplace victims, as only 10 women died in work-related accidents that year.
Most Common Workplace Injuries in Georgia
Workplace injuries and illnesses come in many forms, but some of the most common injuries we see at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC are:
- Motor-vehicle accidents — Whether you drive a lot or only make the occasional trip for your job, you risk suffering a work-related car accident. Car accidents can lead to broken bones, internal bleeding, head trauma, and other major injuries.
- Falls — Falls can happen at any time on the job and are caused by a wide range of factors. Bad weather, spilled liquids on the floor, stray cords, and poor lighting can all cause someone to lose their balance and fall. Broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and back injuries are some of the most common injuries sustained in falls.
- Heavy machinery and objects — Workers can easily be injured by heavy machinery when they aren’t trained properly or the equipment is faulty. They can also be hurt by moving objects, such as a metal shard that flies from a machine or a box that falls from a shelf.
- Lifting heavy objects — Lifting or carrying large objects improperly can lead to muscle tears, sprains, or strains, among other injuries. These injuries can also build up over time if you spend a lot of time carrying heavy things.
- Repetitive motion injuries — Performing the same task day after day can take a severe toll on your body over time, leading to injuries in your hands, arms, shoulders, and other areas.
- Exposure to toxic substances — Breathing in fumes or coming into direct contact with chemicals can severely damage your lungs, skin, and other parts of your body.
- Workplace violence — Tempers can sometimes flare when employees work in close proximity. This can lead to fights in the workplace that can leave one or more parties injured.
Talk to a Georgia Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today
Georgia’s workers’ compensation system is designed to help injured workers get the money they need to take care of themselves as they recover. But many workers have a hard time claiming the benefits they deserve. Contact Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC today to speak to a Georgia workers’ compensation attorney.
