Did you know that if you’re injured on the job, you’ve got 30 days to report it?sIf you don’t do so within this time frame, your claim will be barred. And the report shouldn’t include just work injuries, but should also include any kind of pain that you experience on the job, even if this pain doesn’t prevent you from completing work.According to newly-released preliminary statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were more than 4,300 people who were killed on the job in the U. . in 2012. Although this is down from the 4,600 work-accident fatalities witnessed in the country in 2011, we still have a long way to go.
Our Bangor workers’ compensation lawyers understand that there were millions more who were injured on the job throughout the year. If you’re injured on the job, your employer may require you to see an occupational health doctor. After that, you have the right to see a doctor that you choose. After 7 days of missed work due to your work injury, you are entitled to receive weekly compensation benefits beginning on the eighth day. If you miss more than 2 weeks of work, you will then receive payment retroactive to the date of injury.
According to the BLS, fatal work injuries in the private construction sector increased 5 percent to 775 in 2012, compared to the less than 740 witnessed in 2011. This doesn’t make sense when you consider that the total number of hours worked within this industry rose by only one percent over the year.
In the state of Maine, there were close to 20 people killed on the job in 2011. Of these fatalities, 8 resulted from transportation accidents, 4 resulted from contact with objects and other equipment, 3 resulted from exposure to harmful substances and another 4 were the result of slip, trip and fall accidents.
Throughout the entire country, there were more than 15 states (as well as the District of Columbia) that reported a higher number of fatal work accidents in 2012 than in 2011. In 32 states, the numbers were lowers. Two states reported the exact same numbers for both years.
And the workforce isn’t getting any safer for our new, young workers. According to the new statistics from BLS, the number of work fatalities among those under the age of 16 has nearly doubled, going from about 10 in 2011 to close to 20 in 2012.
Under federal law, employers across the country are required to provide employees with a work environment that is free from serious recognized dangers and they’re also required to comply with regulations, rules and standards that are under the OSH Act. Employers are also required to make sure employees have and use safe tools and equipment and properly maintain this equipment.
If you feel like your safety is being compromised on the job, it’s critical for you to speak up. You have the legal right to do so.
If you or a loved one has been injured contact Bangor injury lawyers at Peter Thompson & Associates to schedule a confidential appointment. Call 1-800-804-2004.
More Blog Entries:
Maine Job Safety: Unemployment Rates Down, Work Accident Risks Up, Maine Injury Lawyer Blog, October 4, 2012
Work Accidents in Maine Likely with Employer Disregard for Employee Safety, Maine Injury Lawyer Blog, July 24, 2012