On the Job Injury Risk Higher Among Young Workers, But Risk of Death is Less

According to a new federal report, younger workers throughout the United States face a higher risk of being injured on the job than older workers, but less of a chance of dying.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) released numbers in late April for on-the-job injury and death statistics among young workers in the U.S. from 1998 to 2007. According to NIOSH’s analysis, workers under the age of 25 were twice as likely to receive non-fatal injuries while at work, when compared to older workers.

Young workers suffered 7.9 million nonfatal injuries at work over the 10-year period studied, translating to 5 trips to the emergency room for every 100 full-time equivalent workers. Over the same period of time, 5,719 younger workers died from occupational injuries, or about 3.6 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers.

By comparison, workers over the age of 25 suffered about half as many non-fatal injuries, but 4.4 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers. The numbers are an improvement over previous 10 year periods, with non-fatal injuries for young workers declining 19%, and fatal injuries dropping 14%.

Transportation-related accidents, primarily automobile accidents, were the most frequent cause of death among young workers. These included incidents where workers were struck by as a pedestrian, injuries from car crashes, and losing vehicle control.

Almost half (49%) of all non-fatal injuries suffered by young workers were due to contact with objects or equipment. This means they were struck by, rubbed against, caught in, or were crushed by industrial equipment, machinery, parts or materials.

Younger Hispanic workers were the most at risk of fatalities, and mining, agriculture and construction were the most dangerous fields for young workers of all races.

MARYLAND JOB INJURY LAWYERS

The Maryland work injury lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent injured workers in claims for Maryland Workers Compensation Benefits. As a result of an on-the-job injury in Maryland, workers may be entitled to benefits including life-time medical care, lost wages and compensation for any disability caused by the Maryland job injury.

Following a Maryland on the job injury, consult with our workers compensation attorneys to make sure your rights are protected and that you get all of the compensation and benefits you deserve.