Illinois Workplace Accidents, Fatalities Should Be Preventable

After several years with a workplace fatality rate consistently near the national average, Illinois’ rate of work place fatalities has fallen since 2013 from 3.1 deaths per 100,000 workers to 2.9 deaths per 100,000 workers – third lowest in the nation. This puts Illinois well ahead of the national workplace fatality rate of 3.6 deaths per 100,000 workers. Illinois’ rate has not been reflected by the national level – where the on-the-job death rate has remained between 3.5 and 4 fatalities per 100,000 workers since 2007 – since 2010 when the rate spiked to 3.7 and matched the national levels.

Illinois remains below – although quite close to – the national average when it comes to rates of work-related accidents and illness that caused missed work days or job restrictions. Such injuries and illnesses occurred at a rate of 1.5 per 100 workers in the state; while on a national level, 1.6 per 100 workers were injured or became ill on the job and missed work in 2016.

For the most part, workplace accidents – especially those that are fatal – are preventable and avoidable. In most instances, such accidents are caused by unsafe working conditions or practices. In other cases, workplace violence or worker mistake or inattention are the culprit. Regardless of the cause, these accidents and their respective consequences should be avoidable. Yet, as long as there have been workplaces there have been accidents.

Until all incidence of on-the-job injury, illness and/or death can be prevented, injured workers will need advocates. An attorney with extensive experience in dealing worth workplace accidents can help you, or anyone else who has been injured or become ill at work, get the compensation and medical attention to which your entitled. John Lesaganich PC has years of such experience. Visit our firm’s website to learn how we can help those who have suffered workers’ compensation injuries while on the job.