Quincy and the surrounding towns and cities in Massachusetts make up a significant portion of the workforce in Massachusetts. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 2,587,770 employed workers in Quincy, Brockton, Bridgewater, Easton, and the other cities in the area. Although the city’s largest employment sectors are transportation and utilities, education and health services, and government work, 77,890 workers are reported as being in construction and extraction occupations.
Quincy Workers Face Risks While on the Job
Although workplace injuries can happen to anyone in any occupation, those who work in construction occupations are at an especially high risk for workplace injuries. In 2013, there were 4,405 workplace fatalities nationwide, 42 of which took place in Boston, Quincy, or the surrounding areas. The construction sector had the largest number of workplace fatalities in the local area with 12 total deaths, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. Five of these workplace fatalities resulted from a fall to a lower level.
The Fatal Four
According to reports by OSHA*, there were 4,251 workplace fatalities in private industry in the year 2014. 874 (20.5%) of those deaths were construction workers. Many accidents can occur on construction sites, but these “Fatal Four” were responsible for more than half (58.1%) of the construction worker deaths in 2014.
- Falls ? 349 (39.9%)
- Electrocutions ? 74 (8.5%)
- Struck by Object ? 73 (8.4%)
- Caught-in/between ? 12 (1.4%)
*These risks are present whether or not OSHA standards are being violated, but even more so if regulations have been violated. Call OSHA’s toll free number 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) to report a violation in your workplace.
Were You Hurt At Work?
You have a right to workers’ compensation benefits if you are injured on the job. Workplace injuries are more common than you might think; according to a news release by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 74,460 incidents of non-fatal injuries or illnesses in the construction occupation nationwide in the calendar year 2014. In that year, the median number of days out of work was 10. 10 days out of work without pay could cause significant financial issues for you and your family.
A Quincy Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help
Workers’ Compensation benefits are available for workplace injuries as well as disability or workplace fatalities. Medical bills are expensive, and workers have a right to compensation when they have been hurt on the job to make sure they are able to receive proper medical care and continue to provide for themselves and their families while they recover. A workers’ compensation attorney can assist you in getting the compensation you deserve. The laws surrounding workers’ compensation and your rights can be confusing, and filing a claim can be time consuming, but a workers’ compensation lawyer with years of experience would be happy to help get you the help you need quickly and efficiently. A workers’ compensation attorney will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Schedule your free consultation with a Keches Law Group attorney today. Call us at 617-898-0808, or visit our website and chat with us online.