Statistics highlight types of accidents resulting in claims

The Bureau of Labor Statistics gathers numbers each year from across the country on a multitude of topics. One of the more grim statistics is the number and type of workplace fatalities that occur each year. In Michigan last year, 133 fatal workplace accidents were reported. Of those, 42 resulted from transportation related incidents, while an additional 40 were caused by workplace violence.

These two categories made up nearly two-thirds of all fatalities in Michigan that occurred last year on the job. These instances also raise interesting questions concerning workers’ compensation benefits since a third party is often responsible for the injury.

For instance, if you are injured falling off a ladder, there is little question that you should be entitled to benefits from your employer’s workers’ compensation fund given the inherent risk your job entails. If, on the other hand, you are injured in a car accident caused by a negligent driver while working or by a co-worker’s violence, it is not really the dangers of the job that caused the accident. Nevertheless, you are not precluded from recovering benefits and may actually be able to pursue additional remedies against the third-party.

Local Saginaw area workers’ compensation lawyers can help you understand these complicated claims and how they may be handled by the workers’ compensation adjuster. In addition, they will be able to advise you on the potential for additional cash rewards from the tortfeasor. Their experience has helped hundred of local workers avoid missing out on thousands of dollars of additional compensation.

Source: BLS.gov, “Fatal Work Injuries in Michigan – 2013,” Accessed on December 23, 2014