THE 10 MOST DANGEROUS OCCUPATIONS IN AMERICA

It is important that every employee understand their workers’ compensation benefits. It is difficult to imagine yourself being left disabled or losing your life as a result of an on the job accident. Being prepared in the case that an on the job injury does occur is beneficial to you and your loved ones.

In the most recent Census of Occupational Injuries released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in September, there were 4,585 work related injuries in 2013 that resulted in death. It is important to remember that a workplace injury can occur in any occupation. The following is a list of the 10 most dangerous job in America using the BLS’ most recent data.

1. Airline Pilots: It may be no surprise that airline pilots face the greatest risk of death while on the job. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, accidents for this occupation have generally decreased however, accidents involving air tours, charter flights, and air medical accident increased.
2. Animal Care Workers: Those who work with animals face a greater risk of work related injuries than most other occupations. These individuals work with injured and sick animals, wild and tame. Animals can be very unpredictable and the injuries they inflict can be catastrophic.
3. Construction Workers: Balancing on beams, operating heavy machinery, and using powerful and dangerous tools is commonplace on a construction site. The risk for a work-related injury is high for a construction worker.
4. Emergency Medical Technicians: EMTs put themselves in danger when they respond to calls for emergency medical assistance. They are first responders and it is no surprise the occupation has such high rates of work-related injuries.
5. Military Jobs: Military workers engage in combat and assist in disasters in America and abroad. Unsurprisingly, military workers face a high risk of injury.
6. Firefighters: Firefighters respond to a variety of emergency situations. They combat forest fires and enter blazing buildings to fight fires. Burn and back injuries are common in this occupation.
7. Truckers: Commercial truck drivers haul heavy loads and drive in all types of weather. Although there are restrictions on driving times and freight weight restrictions, numerous accidents still occur.
8. Lumberjacks: It is a known fact that working with falling trees and heavy machinery creates a high risk for injury and death. Lumberjacks also work in areas that are far from medical assistance and in terrain that makes to difficult for emergency assistance to get to when assistance is needed.
9. Prison Workers: Working with dangerous criminals is what Correctional and Parole Officers do. With this, comes the risk of being injured on the job. The unpredictable nature of inmates creates a constant risk of injury and death.
10. Law Enforcement Officers: Police officers put their lives on the line daily to protect and serve our communities. Officers sustain injuries as a result of many causes. They intervene in conflict and respond to a variety of emergency situations. It comes as no surprise that law enforcement jobs are one of the 10 most dangerous occupations in America.

Employers are required by state law to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Employers and Employees are responsible for the cost of the insurance that provides the employee with compensation after a work related injury.

Following a work-related accident that caused a serious workplace injury, many of our clients were initially told that they should not retain the services of an attorney. At Sanders.Law in Kansas City, Missouri, we encourage our clients to speak with us regarding their on the job accident, so that we can determine whether or not they may be entitled to workers compensation benefits.