Falls are among the most common causes of work-related injuries across all industries. Hundreds of workers die in workplace falls each year, and hundreds of thousands suffer serious fall-related injuries. Even worse, the numbers are on the rise. In 2009, 605 workers died in falls, and more than 212,000 workers suffered serious injuries from falling on the job. In 2014, these numbers were up significantly, with almost 800 workers dying in workplace falls.
While most job related falls can be avoided with appropriate safety precautions, Pennsylvania’s “no-fault” workers’ compensation system provides benefits to employees regardless of whether their employers are to blame for their injuries. At the Jenkintown, PA law firm of Solnick & Associates LLC, our lawyers focus on helping injured workers win maximum workers’ compensation benefits to cover their losses.
Workplace Fall Data Trends
Common Causes of Workplace Falls
While construction workers are the most likely occupation to suffer fatal injuries in a fall, workers in non-labor industries are actually the most likely to suffer non-fatal injuries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the greatest number of fall victims work in health services and the wholesale and retail industries. Some of the most common causes of both fatal and non-fatal workplace falls include:
- Slippery and cluttered floors
- Unstable walking surfaces
- Missing and faulty guardrails
- Unprotected openings in floors
- Unsafe ladder use
- Misuse (or non-use) of proper fall protection
As an overarching concern, the CDC also points to a general trend of “persistent unsafe practices and low safety culture across many industries” that is leading to a rise in the number of fall-related injuries. In fact, government data shows a rise of 10 percent in fall-related deaths from 2013 to 2014, and preliminary data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) suggest that the number will be similar in 2015.
Pennsylvania Workers Suffer Fatal Falls in 2015
OSHA’s preliminary data also shows that a number of Pennsylvania workers have lost their lives on the job in 2015. This includes Middleburg, PA and Danville, PA men who fell from scaffolding in July and August, and a construction worker from Philadelphia who was killed when he fell through a hole in the floor in April. These are just a few examples of the many fatal accidents occurring in 2015.
Seek Help for Your Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Claim
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a work-related fall, the law entitles to compensation. Our attorneys can help make sure that your employer and their insurance company pay the full benefits you deserve.
Discuss Your Fall Claim with a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Jenkintown, PA
If you have been injured on the job and need to file for workers’ compensation, we strongly recommend that you hire an attorney to represent you. The Pennsylvania workers’ compensation system can be challenging to navigate if you aren’t familiar with it, and you will need a strong advocate who can stand up to your employer and their insurance company when they try to deny your benefits. To get started with your claim, call our Jenkintown, PA law offices at (877) 958-7010 or request a free consultation online now.
