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According to the Dayton Daily News, Ohio is one of 24 states where fatal workplace accidents increased in 2014, when compared to the previous year.
The news outlet reported that there were 184 fatal workplace accidents in 2014 across all occupations, compared to 149 in 2013. The data comes from the Ohio Department of Health, which tracks statistics in partnership with the federal government.
Across the country, there were 4,679 fatal work injuries in the private and public sectors in 2014. This is up two percent from the 4,585 deaths that occurred in 2013. “Far too many people are still killed on the job – 13 workers every day taken from their families tragically and unnecessarily,” said Thomas Perez, U.S. secretary of labor, in a statement, according to the Daily News. “These numbers underscore the urgent need for employers to provide a safe workplace for their employees as the law requires.”
The news outlet reported that in Ohio, fatalities in manufacturing and construction are both on the rise, as employment in the sectors has been up since the recovery of the economic downturn earlier this decade.
In construction and manufacturing, deaths grew by double digits in Ohio—there was a 21 percent increase in the number of construction accident deaths from 2013, and an 11 percent increase in the number of manufacturing fatalities.
Workplace safety advocates said these numbers are alarming. Some industry leaders said there needs to be more attention paid to work practices in both industries, as many say that there are a number of younger, inexperienced workers entering into the trades.
Our Columbus Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Can Help You If Your Loved One Has Died in a Workplace Accident
It is unfortunate that fatal workplace accidents in Ohio are on the rise as the economy is beginning to rebound. Although it is great that more people are finding work in construction and manufacturing due to the economic upswing, it is unsettling that many employers are not paying attention to safety measures.
As we noted in Monday’s blog, if your loved one dies in a workplace accident, you should be aware that you might have certain legal rights. One may be to pursue Ohio workers’ compensation death benefits. Additionally, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim or pursue a third-party lawsuit.
The immediate aftermath of a fatal workplace accident can be a very difficult time for family members. You may be asked to fill out paperwork or legal forms, which can be confusing if you do not have guidance. Prior to doing this, you may want to talk to our Columbus workers’ compensation attorneys about how to move forward with a claim, as you may surrender certain legal rights if you do not obtain quality representation.
Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC – Columbus Workers’ Comp Attorneys