How Common Are Industrial Accidents?

Major industrial accidents are a relatively big deal in the U.S. When a large industrial accident occurs, it usually makes national headlines, even when there are relatively few fatalities. Hopefully, you are never unlucky enough to experience an industrial accident. But if you or a family member does, the following information may be useful.

The Prevalence of Industrial Accidents

The U.S. government considers nearly all occupational accidents to be industrial accidents. This means that industrial accidents are extremely common.

How Often Do Industrial Accidents Occur in Wyoming and Nationwide?

Nationwide, there are millions of industrial accidents every year. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those accidents only resulted in 5,283 fatalities in 2023. That puts the fatality rate at a fraction of a percent.

Comparatively, there were 45 fatalities reported from industrial accidents in Wyoming in 2023. That may seem like a very low number, but it is almost 1% of all industrial fatalities recorded in the U.S.

A fatality count of 45 is a very high value when you consider that Wyoming only represents approximately 0.15% of the U.S. population. The state had almost eight times the fatality rate in industrial accidents as other states.

Common Causes of Industrial Accidents

There are numerous causes of industrial accidents that differ depending on the industry. Overall, though, the following are some of the most common causes:

• Equipment malfunctions or failures
• Poor training
• Failure to follow safety protocols
• Slips and trips
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals or substances

Most industrial accidents are avoidable. Usually, they occur when some party is negligent.

Common Types of Injuries From Industrial Accidents

There are almost as many types of injuries caused by industrial accidents as causes. Some of the most common types of injuries are:

• Fractures
• Burns
• Lacerations
• Spinal cord and neck injuries
• Respiratory issues
• Traumatic brain injuries

The type of injury you suffer often matters most when making an injury claim after an accident. The more serious your injury, usually the more compensation you will receive from a successful claim.

In Which Industries Are Accidents Most Common?

The industry with the most accidents is the construction industry, which isn’t surprising, given the nature of the work construction workers perform. Workers commonly use heavy machinery and hazardous substances and often work at heights.

Most construction sites also have a lot of loose materials that can cause tripping or slipping hazards. Every common cause of industrial accidents is present at most construction sites.

Industrial accidents are also common in the transportation and warehousing industries. Somewhat surprisingly, the industries that often make the most news when accidents occur, like the nuclear industry, are some of the safest. They are usually the best regulated due to their potential to cause the most damage.

What to Do After Being Injured in an Industrial Accident

If you are injured in an industrial accident, you should take steps to protect yourself. The first thing you should do is get medical attention and preserve any records resulting from that care. This both protects your health and creates evidence for your injury claim.

Furthermore, you should contact an industrial accident lawyer as soon as possible. Getting fair compensation for your injuries is often a matter of acting quickly. If you don’t preserve evidence of what caused your accident and how seriously you were injured, you might have trouble getting it later. An attorney will act quickly to protect your rights.

How a Wyoming Industrial Accident Attorney Can Help You Get Compensation

What precisely does a lawyer do for you? The most important help your lawyer provides is an in-depth knowledge of the claims process. Whether you are filing a workers’ compensation claim or some other type of injury claim, they understand the process and will guide you through it easily.

Your lawyer also will communicate with all appropriate parties while you are recovering from your injuries. Most claims processes require you to act quickly, even if you are in the hospital. That is an unreasonable requirement if you aren’t represented by an attorney.

FAQ

Who Is Responsible When I Am Hurt in an Industrial Accident?

Unless you were intentionally doing something that would cause you to get injured, your employer is almost always responsible if you were hurt while on the job.

How Much Will an Industrial Accident Lawyer Cost Me?

Effectively nothing. Industrial accident attorneys take their cases on contingency. This means you only pay them if they get you money. And when you do pay them, you only pay a percentage of the money they obtain for you.

Can I Get Benefits if a Loved One Dies in an Industrial Accident?

You probably can receive compensation for your loss. Workers’ compensation benefits provide death benefits to the loved ones of people who die while they are on the job.

Contact an Industrial Accident Lawyer at The Spence Law Firm Today

If you are seriously injured in an industrial accident, state and federal laws allow you to get compensation for the injuries that you suffered. Typically, that compensation will come in the form of workers’ compensation benefits.

But whether you need to apply for workers’ compensation or need to file a lawsuit against your employer, the best way to get the compensation you need to recover is to contact our law firm as soon as possible after an accident. We’re prepared to help you navigate the legal process.