Our workplace injury lawyers commonly represent people who have been seriously injured, or even killed, in the scope of their employment. For many years, the incidence of employment-related injuries was left completely unchecked, and seemed to increase year after year. More recently, however, rates of nonfatal workplace illness and injury have fortunately been in steady decline.
The latest data released by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics from 2009 — the most recent year analyzed — shows the rates of nonfatal occupational illness or injury per 100 full-time employees dropped from 3.9 in 2008 to 3.6 in 2009. This represents the sixth straight year of declining illness and injury rates. There has now been a decline in every year since 2003, the first year in which the Bureau of Labor Statistics first began compiling and reporting this data.
Our personal injury attorneys are encouraged that rates of workplace injuries have been in decline. However, we know all too well that there is still room for serious improvement. For instance, there are many contexts in which workplace injuries can have devastaing consequences, particularly when heavy machinery is involved, such as construction site accidents or factory injuries.
We stand, as always, ready to provide legal assistance to those who suffer severe, preventable injury or illness in the workplace, although we know that the best possible outcome for any worker is to avoid the injury in the first place.
For a Free Consultation with a top-rated Chicago workplace injury lawyer at Passen & Powell, call us at (312) 527-4500.
