While many Americans work in fields typically considered quite dangerous, such as logging and mining, a recent report revealed that the most deadly jobs in the United States are actually those that involve long hours on the road. According to the study compiled by eTrain Today, “transportation incidents” accounted for 39 percent of all work-related deaths in the U.S. in 2010.
Workers whose job responsibilities require them to spend long hours traveling from one location to another are therefore at the greatest risk of suffering a life-threatening injury on the job. Of the 39 percent of deaths caused by transportation incidents, 21 percent of those accidents took place on highways. In total, 683 workers died from such incidents in 2010, including individuals who worked as truck drivers and sales representatives.
The study also found that men were significantly more likely to fall victim to a fatal workplace incident, as men accounted for 92 percent of the work-related deaths in 2010. Further, a large percentage of the victims of work fatalities were 65 years of age or older.
In 2010, Illinois was one of the deadliest states in America, in terms of individuals killed in accidents on the job. In total, 203 workers died while on the job in Illinois that year. Few states had a higher number of workplace fatalities.
Apart from transportation incidents, other common causes of work-related deaths are violent acts, “contact with objects and equipment,” falls and exposure to toxins.
Family members who have lost a loved one in a work-related incident may be entitled to legal remedies due to their loss. Consulting with a skilled personal injury attorney can ensure their rights are protected.
Source: Huffington Post, “The Deadliest Jobs in America,” Drew Cuarini, August 22, 2012.