At the end of last year, the U.S. Department of Labor published its preliminary results from the national census of fatal occupational injuries in 2013. While the final results will not be published until spring 2015, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a preliminary total of 4,405 fatal work injuries were recorded in the United States in 2013. The rate of fatal work injury for U.S. workers in 2013 was 3.2 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers. This rate, however, is down slightly from the final rate of 3.4 per 100,000 in 2012.
Key Findings from 2013 National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries
In 2013, fatal work injury counts were lower for all major racial and ethnic groups, except Hispanic or Latino workers. Fatal injuries dropped by 6 percent among non-Hispanic white workers, by 15 percent among non-Hispanic black or African-American workers, and by 22 percent among non-Hispanic Asian workers. Notably, fatal work injuries among Hispanic or Latino workers rose 7 percent from the previous year.
In 2013, it was the highest worker death total among Hispanic or Latino workers since 2008: 797 Hispanic or Latino workers died in this year. And a majority of these deaths, 527 (or 66 percent), were comprised of foreign-born workers. Hispanic or Latino workers had a fatal injury rate of 3.8 per 100,000 full-time workers, which is significantly higher the national rate of 3.2 per 100,000 full-time workers. Overall, foreign-born workers made up 845 fatal work injuries in 2013. The largest number of these workers (352, or 42 percent) came from Mexico.
Employer Duty for Safe and Healthy Workplace
Under South Carolina and federal laws, employers are required “to provide their employees with a safe and healthy worksite which is free of hazards which may cause injuries and illnesses to workers.” The South Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which is comprised of a staff of 17 safety inspectors and 12 health compliance officers, is tasked with conducting inspections of businesses to assure compliance with the law. Safety and health hazards can be reported with South Carolina’s OSHA.
While South Carolina’s OSHA does an admirable job of requiring businesses to comply with health and safety laws, unsafe and unhealthy work conditions occur too often. When this happens, workers can suffer severe injuries and fatalities. An experienced Greenville work accident attorney can help you recover compensation for your injuries, including medical expenses, pain and suffering and lost wages.
Contact a Greenville, South Carolina Workers Compensation AttorneyÂ
If you or someone you know has suffered an injury at work, a Greenville work accident attorney can help protect your rights. David R. Price, Jr. is an experienced Greenville work accident attorney who has extensive practice helping injured workers receive compensation for their injuries.
Contact David R. Price, Jr. for a free initial consultation and case evaluation. You can call today at 864.271.2636. ​​ Or, you can visit the office located at 318 West Stone Avenue in Greenville, South Carolina.
David Price is a Personal Injury, Civil Litigation, Collections, and Criminal Defense Attorney who practices in Greenville, SC. He graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law, and has been practicing law for 12 years. David Price believes in helping those who have been injured. Learn more about his experience by clicking here.
