New Report Highlights the Most Dangerous Jobs in America

In recent years, the rate of work fatalities has been going up. For example, the number of workplace fatalities went up two percent in 2019 compared to 2018. Work-related fatalities have continued to be high due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent U.S. Department of Labor data has identified some of the deadliest jobs in the U.S. based on worker death rates. 

What Are the Top 10 Deadliest Jobs?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 10 most dangerous jobs to work in the U.S., based on employee fatality rates per 100,000 workers in one recent year, include:

• Logging/forestry, with 97.6 deaths per 100,000 workers
• Fishing and fisheries, with 77.4 deaths per 100,000 workers
• Aircraft pilots, with 58.9 deaths per 100,000 workers
• Roofers, with 51.5 deaths per 100,000 workers
• Trash and recycling collectors, with 44.3 deaths per 100,000 workers
• Delivery drivers and truck drivers, with 26 deaths per 100,000 workers
• Agricultural worker, with 24.7 deaths per 100,000 workers
• Iron and steelworkers, with 23.6 deaths per 100,000 workers
• Construction and excavation workers, with 21 deaths per 100,000 workers
• Landscaping/groundskeeping workers, with 20.2 deaths per 100,000 workers

What Are Your Rights If You Are Hurt at Work?

If you are injured on the job in New Jersey, you normally have the right to file a claim for workers' compensation with your employer. Workers' compensation benefits are available to any employee who is injured in the course and scope of their job, regardless of who may have been at fault for a workplace accident. 

Benefits available under the New Jersey workers' compensation system include:

• Medical benefits, which pay for all reasonable and necessary treatment and rehabilitation of a work injury, including pain management services.
• Reimbursement of qualifying costs of travel to and from doctor's appointments or medical procedures.
• Temporary total disability benefits, which reimburse you for 70 percent of your average pre-injury wage when you cannot work due to a work-related injury or illness
• Temporary partial disability benefits, which reimburse you for 70 percent of the difference between your pre-injury wage and the reduced income you earn while working part-time or in a light-duty position while you recover from a work injury.
• Permanent partial disability benefits, payable when you suffer a permanent impairment but can still work, with the specific amount depending on the type and severity of disability you have suffered.
• Permanent total disability benefits, which continue temporary total disability benefits for as long as you remain unable to work in any capacity

In addition, when a worker's death is caused by a work-related injury or illness, the workers' compensation system can provide death benefits to the surviving dependents of the deceased worker. Workers' comp death benefits include contributions of up to $5,000 for funeral and burial costs, as well as financial payments to a surviving spouse or surviving dependent children based on the worker's average weekly wage.

Contact an Edison Workers' Compensation Lawyer to Discuss Your New Jersey Workplace Injury Case

A workplace injury can be devastating, particularly if it prevents you from returning to work for an extended period of time. Although New Jersey Workers' Compensation laws are supposed to provide you with reimbursement for medical expenses and replacement pay for missed time at work, it is not always easy to get the Workers' Comp benefits you deserve. That is why you should speak with a knowledgeable Workers' Compensation lawyer about your situation and get guidance throughout the claims process. The experienced Workers' Compensation attorneys at Lombardi and Lombardi, P.A.represent clients in Woodbridge, Old Bridge, Piscataway, New Brunswick, and all across New Jersey. Call 732-906-1500 or fill out our online contact form today to schedule a free consultation about your work injury case. Our main office is located at 1862 Oak Tree Road, Edison, NJ 08820, and we also have offices in Edison, Brick, Freehold, and Point Pleasant Beach.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.