A worker is injured or becomes ill on the job every 7 seconds, according to the National Safety Council. Most work-related injuries put employees out of work, resulting in lost income, and heavy medical expenses. This article will share statistics that highlight the most common workplace injuries in New York, and the legal steps to take if you’re injured on the job so that you can receive compensation for any resulting damages and loss of income.
Top 3 Most Common Workplace Injuries in New York
- Sprains, Strains or Tears: including bone, ligament and muscle injuries
- Musculoskeletal Pain or Soreness: injuries commonly due to improper spinal alignment for those with desk jobs, and excessive exertion for those with physically-demanding occupations
- Cuts, Lacerations or Punctures: injuries most frequently reported among construction, mining and manufacturing occupations, where workers are required to handle heavy and dangerous tools and objects
Top 3 Most Common Causes of Work-Related Injuries
- Overexertion: 34% of all injuries in the workplace occur due to lifting and lowering heavy objects, as well as performing repetitive motions. This can be avoided by taking regular short breaks, and training yourself to lift objects properly without bending or twisting.
- Contact with objects and equipment: 26% of workplace injuries occur due to employees getting struck by or against dangerous objects or equipment. Getting crushed or compressed against equipment is also very common among physically demanding occupations in New York. To avoid this, be sure to store heavy objects close to the floor, wear proper safety gear, and always keep your head on a swivel to look out for fast moving equipment and objects.
- Slip and falls: 25% of all injuries at work occur due to falling down stairwells, ladders, or on ground floors. To avoid, always place the base of ladders on an even surface, and be sure to have a spotter holding it steady. If floors are wet, alert staff and customers with signs and announcements, and get rid of any hazardous conditions immediately.
*Data collected from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Industries with the Most Work-Related Injuries in NY (2018)
In 2018, over 200,000 cases of nonfatal workplace injuries were documented in New York alone, within both private and government sectors. The information below was gathered from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which documented the total cases of work-related illnesses and injuries that resulted in employees requiring medical care and services beyond first aid. First, let’s break this data down to show you the industries that experienced the greatest number of accidents.
Total Workplace Injuries & Illnesses in New York’s Private Industries
Goods-Producing Occupations
- Manufacturing: 11,400
- Construction: 9,600
- Mining: 1,100
Service-Providing Occupations
- Education & Health Services: 44,100
- Transportation & Utilities: 32,400
- Leisure & Hospitality: 17,400
- Professional and Business Services: 10,500
- Information: 10,100
- Financial Activities: 6,100
- Miscellaneous Services (Excluding Administrative Services): 4,000
Total Workplace Injuries & Illnesses in New York State & Local Government Sectors
- Local Government: 46,100
- State Government: 14,300
A total of 60,400 cases of workplace injuries and illnesses were recorded in 2018 among New York’s local and state government sectors. The majority (67%) of these cases involved accidents occurring within local government sectors.
The rate of injury and illness for state and local government occupations in New York was 6.4 cases per 100 workers in 2018. This shows an increase in the rate of reported cases since 2017, when the rate was 4.8.
Fatal vs. Nonfatal Workplace Injuries in NY
In 2018, New York employers reported 140,200 nonfatal workplace injuries and illness cases. Out of these, 80,200 injuries or illnesses (57%) were severe enough to lead to either days away from work, job transfers, or employment restrictions (also called DART cases).
Over 90% of these DART cases involved accidents that resulted in employees missing at least one day of work. This data indicates that 1.3 out of every 100 full time workers in New York experienced a nonfatal injury or illness in 2018. It should be noted that 135,200 of recorded New York cases were physical injuries, meaning only 4% of were due to employee illness.
Most Common Workplace Illnesses in New York
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the most common occupational illnesses in New York included:
- Hearing loss
- Skin disorders
- Respiratory conditions
- Poisoning
Workplace Injury Law in New York
Not all workplace injuries are the same in the eyes of the law. Depending on the worker’s perceived pain and suffering, some injuries and illnesses will result in bigger settlements than others.
Employees who are injured at their workplace are protected by various worker’s compensation and personal injury laws. Like most states in the US, New York provides various avenues by which employees can pursue damages and compensation for any injuries they receive as a result of negligence on behalf of their employer or simply because of factors outside either party’s control at the workplace.
This means that you may be entitled to compensation even if your employer did nothing wrong, and the accident was “truly” accidental. A great example of this type of accident and following case is burning your hand on a stove while working at a restaurant.
Workplace Injury Law Benefits
Workplace injury laws are important because medical bills can quickly add up, leaving workers wondering how they’ll be able to pay for all the medical expenses required for recovery. Examples of such medical costs include:
- Loss of income while unable to work due to injury
- Costs of prescribed medicine
- Hospital and medical service fees
- Recurring medicinal costs
Furthermore, compensation laws can also award you damages based on more abstract injuries like “pain and suffering,” or the trauma you must overcome as a result of your accident. However, as with any case involving workplace injury, only excellent workplace injury attorneys can help you get the outcome you want.
It is important to note that any expenses covered by a worker’s compensation lawsuit will only apply to costs directly related to your injury. You may, however, file a personal injury lawsuit, in which compensation may cover a wider amount of costs. For a free consultation with a New York attorney, call 855-468-7626 to determine which option is best for your unique case.
Workers Compensation in New York
Worker’s compensation laws in New York work very similarly to others in the nation. Most employers have some form of worker’s compensation insurance. In fact, New York state law requires most companies to have it. This is in place to protect the employer’s finances in the event that one of their employees is injured over the course of their regular work.
How NY’s “No-Fault” Policy Affects Worker Compensation
New York is a “no-fault” state, which absolves the employer or employee from fault in the event of a worker’s compensation case. This is helpful for you, because your awarded damages will not be decreased by the amount in which you are determined responsible for your injury.
The only time you will be ineligible to receive damages for a workplace injury is if you are proven to be intoxicated with drugs or alcohol.
Worker’s compensation claims are paid if the employer or their insurance carrier both agree that the illness or injury is work-related. This is the battleground of any worker’s compensation case, as it is the worker’s responsibility to prove that the injury would not have occurred if they were not at work performing their regular duties.
Naturally, these cases can become more complicated than they initially appear. Navigating legal intricacies and collecting the right evidence are both necessary if you want the best case possible and the highest award.
Contact New York Workplace Injury Attorneys
Finding top-tier legal representation for any workplace injury lawsuit in New York is critical. Contacting an expert New York workplace injury attorney like those at Sobo & Sobo, who have over 40 years of experience with such cases, are specialized in maximizing compensation and guiding victims throughout the entire legal process. Call them today for a free consultation at 855-468-7626, and see what a personal injury lawyer can do for you.
