Aug 5, 2020

High-Risk Jobs For Workers’ Comp Injuries

Nathaniel Hansford
Reviewed by:
Nate Hansford

Every job has a risk of injury, regardless of whether it seems like a relatively “safe” job. Even sitting in a cubicle and working on a computer for a majority of the day can lead to an unforeseeable accident caused by workplace hazards or repetitive stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel.

However, there are certain jobs that present an inherently greater risk of danger and potential injuries for workers. It’s important for both workers and employers to understand these dangers so they can protect themselves and their future rights to benefits, should an injury be sustained.

We gathered data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to list some of the most dangerous job fields in the country:

Construction Workers

Workers in various fields of construction face many dangers on the job, whether it be from having to go manual labor at extremely high heights or operating heavy and dangerous machinery on a regular basis. Some of the most common accidents that occur in these fields involve:

  • Scaffolds

  • Falls

  • Excavations

  • Ladders

  • Electrical equipment

  • Lack of hazard communication

Loggers

Logging is one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States. The job of loggers is to harvest trees that will be turned into goods for consumer needs. Among the biggest risks of injury is being hit by following objects, including the large trees that they are attempting to cut down, or being injured by the heavy machinery that they use to do so. The rate of fatal injury for loggers is 28 times higher than the all-worker fatality rate average in the U.S.

Transportation Workers

Given all the time they spend on the road, it’s not surprising that injuries are common in the trucking industry. Drivers work long hours at a time, especially at night, and may struggle with driver fatigue; this happens to be one of the leading causes of trucking accidents. Despite federal hours-of-service regulations that put a limit on driving hours, truck drivers may be pressured by their employers to get their cargo delivered to its location on time.

Law Enforcement and Emergency Services

Police officers, firefighters, and medical responders put their lives on the line every day for the health, safety, and protection of local communities. From collapsing buildings to fires, violence, or dangerous car crash scenes, there are countless ways that workers in these fields can sustain injuries on the job.

Protecting the Rights of Injured Workers Across Georgia

When you’re injured at work and don’t know what to do next, we do. At Hansford McDaniel – Workers’ Compensation Attorneys, our legal team is dedicated to helping injured workers across Georgia pursue their rightful benefits so they can focus on healing the right way. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so don’t hesitate to reach out at your earliest convenience.

Contact our firm at 770-922-3660 to get started with a free consultation!