Mississippi Workers’ Compensation, Dangerous Jobs and Death Benefits
Every job in the U.S. economy is an important one, but some are far more dangerous than others. Each year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks workplace injuries and fatalities in its Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (COFI). In 2015, the COFI reported that there were 4,836 fatal workplace injuries; 77 of them occurred in Mississippi.
In response to the 2016 COFI, U.S. Secretary of Labor, Tom Perez said the high numbers of workplace fatalities, “underscore the urgent need for employers to provide a safe workplace for their employees as the law requires. We have a moral responsibility to make sure that workers who showed up to work today are still alive to punch the clock tomorrow. The fact is, we know how to prevent these deaths.” He underscored the labor department’s commitment to improving safety and health in our nation’s workplaces.
Which industries saw the highest number of work-related deaths?
The BLS lists the following occupations with a high rate of work-related deaths: (per 10,000 workers)
- Logging workers 132.7
- Fishers 54.8
- Aircraft pilots and flight engineers 40.4
Top 3 occupations with the most work-related deaths
- Tractor-trailer drivers (745)
- Farmers and ranchers (252)
- Construction laborers (235)
Mississippi vs. the rest of the country
The BLS lists five (5) causes of workplace death. Here is how those numbers break down for the county, and for our state:
U.S Totals Mississippi Totals
Transportation 42% 48%
Contact with objects 15% 17%
Acts of violence 15% 14%
Falls, slips and trips 17% 13%
All other 12% 8%
Workers’ compensation benefits for the families of employees who have been killed on the job
Workers who are injured within the scope of their employment, or who suffer from an occupational disease from exposure on the job, are covered by their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy. But the program also covers families who lose their loved ones in work-related fatal accidents.
Not every family will receive the benefits they are entitled to, however, and that is why you want to talk to an experienced Mississippi workers’ compensation attorney. At Merkel & Cocke, we help families protect themselves after losing their loved one. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation at our home office in Clarkdale. Call us at [phone] or complete our contact form.
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Since 1982, Merkel & Cocke, P.A. has offered thorough, aggressive legal representation on behalf of clients throughout Mississippi. As one of the largest plaintiffs’ personal injury law firms in the state, we consider it our duty and our honor to serve the people of our communities, and to uphold their rights in court. Our reputation is such that other law firms turn to us when they need legal counsel, and our business has grown through the years because of the referrals of these attorneys, who trust us with their needs and the needs of their clients. We are the firm you can trust when there are challenges ahead. To schedule a free consultation, please complete our contact form.