The loss of a finger, toe, hand or foot is potentially devastating for any worker and will often result in permanent disability. Unfortunately, according to some recent government statistics, Michigan workers continue to suffer more amputation injuries than other workers in the nation.
The most recent data from the Michigan Department of Community Health and Michigan State University indicates that in 2012 there were 491 work-related amputations in the state. This works out to about 11.6 amputations per 100,000 workers. According to the Department of Labor, the estimated number of amputations for the rest of the nation is only 200 per year, which is nearly 60 percent lower.
However, all of the news in the report was not negative. The number of work-related amputations has dropped in the state by 34 percent since 2006 and the rate has decreased by 26 percent. In 2006, Michigan had 740 amputation cases which translated to 15.7 amputations per 100,000 workers.
More men were victims of amputation injuries, while young men between the ages of 20-24 experienced the highest rate of amputation. Nearly half of all of these injuries occurred in the manufacturing sector. Paper manufacturing companies and wood product manufacturing companies saw the highest rates of amputation injury.
Power saws were the most frequent reason for amputations and over nine in ten of these workplace injuries involved the loss of a finger. Nearly 13 percent of Michigan’s amputation injuries involved the loss of more than one finger.
The loss of even one finger due to amputation can be overwhelming for a Michigan worker. Workers’ compensation wage loss, medical and disability benefits can provide much-need financial relief for those injured on the job. Any injured Michigan worker may want to speak to a workers’ compensation attorney in order to determine what benefits may be available to them.
Source: www.michigan.gov, “Work-related amputations in Michigan, 2012“, Accessed June 22, 2015
