The most hazardous occupations in America

Every workplace has its stressors. But some occupations are more dangerous than others. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were more than 5000 workplace deaths in 2018, a slight uptick from recent years.

Even in high-risk industries like construction or agriculture, employers have a legal duty of care to provide their workers with a safe environment. Unfortunately, that’s not always possible due to negligence or factors outside of anyone’s control.

10 jobs with a high risk of injury or death

According to a recent report, workers in these professions put their safety on the line much more than others:

1. Construction: Construction workers handle heavy machinery and raw materials all day. It’s no surprise that even a small incident could hurt them. Construction workers also risk enduring long-term injury or death from falls or falling objects.
2. Farm/agriculture: Farmers have one of the hardest jobs in America. They work long hours and deal with dangerous equipment such as combines and tractors. Others also deal with aggressive livestock, which may be hard to control.
3. Truck driving: People who drive semi-trucks often spend long hours on the road. While truck drivers can only drive for up to 14 hours a day, that can still cause a lot of fatigue, leading to accidents.  And many drivers get hurt handling freight, the landing gear, inspecting the rig, or covering a load.
4. Garbage collecting: Much like truck drivers, garbage collectors spend a lot of time on the road. And whether they work for the public or private sector, they have to be on the streets day in and day out, putting them in danger in a variety of situations.
5. Flying: Though many aircraft now have technology that can impede pilot error, flying commercial airplanes can still be dangerous. Pilots and cabin crew are subject to several adverse effects, including turbulence, equipment malfunctions, and passenger incidents.
6. Logging/lumber: Loggers have an underappreciated occupation.  If it were not for them, many people would not have homes or furniture. Unfortunately, logging is a dangerous business, as many workers endure falling trees and limbs, and hazardous tools like saws.
7. Law enforcement: Maintaining public safety isn’t always easy. And while debates surrounding policing standards continue, it’s still a dangerous job.  We have represented officers injured in motor vehicle accidents, shootings, fights, and simply chasing or apprehending a suspect.
8. Firefighting: Firefighters put their lives on the line to save others. But that can come with a cost. They put themselves into many unsafe situations when rescuing people from fires and other dangers.
9. Lawncare: Handling lawnmowers, weed whackers and other tools with large blades can be hazardous, especially if lawncare workers get them on and off the trucks.
10. Manufacturing: Many of these workers use their hands and backs and are working on large and complex machines or handling heavy materials.   Many of our clients were injured in the manufacturing sector.

If you do get hurt on the job, we can help you get the workers’ compensation benefits that you deserve.