The Most Common Causes of Preventable Accidents in the Workplace

In 2023, 7,200 private industry employees in Delaware reported workplace illnesses and injuries to their employers. These reports spanned nearly every industry and involved a wide variety of accident scenarios. While some industries involve inherent safety risks, many of the most commonly reported workplace injuries are entirely preventable with the right approach.

In order to reduce the incidence of these preventable injuries, it’s important to first understand how they usually occur. Let’s explore some of the most common causes of workplace accidents and discuss what employees can do to preserve their rights in the event that they are injured on the job.

What are the most common workplace accidents?

Accidents can happen just about anywhere and at any time, and even employees in industries that seem “safe” can be vulnerable to unanticipated risks. Here are some of the most commonly reported workplace accidents, according to the National Safety Council:

• Exposure: Workplace injuries or illnesses may arise as a result of exposure to harmful substances, diseases, or other pathogens.
• Overexertion injuries: Sprains, strains, and other injuries are commonly caused by single or repeated incidences of heavy lifting, bending over, reaching, pushing, pulling, etc.
• Slip, trip, and fall accidents: Can include slipping with or without falling, and may include falls from great heights in some cases.
• Contact with objects: Some injuries arise as a result of contact with falling objects or impact with workplace equipment or fixtures.
• Transportation accidents: Motor vehicle and transportation-related incidents are a significant cause of workplace injuries, especially for workers who spend time on the road.
• Acts of violence: While the risk of assault or violence is certainly higher for employees in certain fields, any worker can find themselves a victim of physical violence, leading to serious harm.

Any of the incidents outlined above can lead to significant harm with potentially long-lasting consequences. As a result, it’s highly advisable that employers take steps to mitigate risks to the best of their ability, particularly in sectors where these incidents tend to be more common.

Which industries are most prone to workplace accidents?

It’s important to recognize that not all jobs carry the same level of risk. Thankfully, we have ample data at our disposal with respect to the relative risk associated with various private industries. Here’s a brief overview of some of the industries known to carry the highest risk of workplace injuries, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

Healthcare and social assistance

Employees who work in healthcare settings or other fields centered around supporting the daily needs of vulnerable populations tend to be more prone to workplace injuries and illnesses, ranging from repetitive strain injuries to physical assaults. Nationally, in 2023, healthcare & social assistance had about 562,500 injuries and illnesses reported – higher than many other industries (although risk rates vary by job type).

Manufacturing

There were over 355,000 workplace injuries reported in the manufacturing sector in 2023. Employees in this industry are often prone to equipment-related injuries, repetitive stress issues, and exposure-related illnesses.

Retail

It might surprise you to learn that retail employees are at a relatively high risk of workplace injury, with over 353,000 incidents reported in 2023. Workers commonly report repetitive strain injuries, slip and fall accidents, and even psychological distress related to these positions.

Transportation and warehousing

Employees who spend their time transporting people/goods or managing the storage of goods tend to be more prone to a variety of injuries, with over 265,000 incidents reported in this field in 2023. Motor vehicle accidents, equipment-related incidents, and contact with falling objects may be common occupational hazards in these fields.

Hospitality and food service

Much like retail workers, hospitality and food service workers are prone to a variety of injuries, with roughly 231,000 incidents reported in 2023. Slip and fall accidents, repetitive strain injuries, and exposure-related illnesses run rampant in these industries and can cause workers long-term discomfort and distress.

These figures reflect national injury and illness counts reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; injury rates and risks vary significantly by occupation, employer, and work environment. While these industries constitute the five most risk-prone environments in the private sector, there is no shortage of harm suffered by workers in other professional settings. Injuries of any kind and of any severity can impact an employee’s quality of life and earning potential in both the short and long term. As a result, many injured workers choose to file claims for workers’ compensation and other benefits to help them provide for their needs in the wake of a job-related accident.

The true cost of workplace injuries

On both macro and micro levels, workplace accidents often come with hefty price tags. In fact, the total assessed cost of workplace injuries to taxpayers, employers, and individuals was over $176 billion in 2023, with the average cost per injury valued at roughly $43,000.

To employers, workplace injuries often constitute massive financial liabilities and can contribute to overall reductions in productivity. For injured workers, however, the costs associated with job-related injuries are often far more personal and can impact nearly every aspect of their lives.

Some of the individual expenses commonly associated with workplace injuries include:

• Medical expenses: While some workers may have some or all of their immediate healthcare paid for by their workers’ compensation benefits, some injured employees need additional long-term care that may not fall within the scope of their employer’s policy. Workers’ compensation generally covers reasonable and necessary medical treatment for a compensable injury, though disputes can arise over whether particular care is related or medically necessary.
• Lost wages: Employees may need to miss a significant number of work shifts to recover or attend medical appointments. Missed shifts generally amount to lost wages, which can cause additional financial distress for accident victims and their families.
• Reduced earning capacity: In some cases involving severe injuries, survivors of workplace injuries find themselves navigating long-term disability or a reduction in their ability to perform their previous work responsibilities. This, too, can seriously impact an employee’s short and long-term financial prospects.
• Emotional distress: Sometimes, workplace accidents are traumatizing, and the physical and financial toll of a worker’s injuries can cause them ongoing emotional distress. Some employees choose to seek mental healthcare to address changes in their quality of life, but these services aren’t always covered by workers’ compensation policies.

All in all, workplace accidents are costly and can have a serious ripple effect on the individual and systemic levels. Costs aside, workplace hazards can negatively impact employee morale, contribute to negative public perception of specific industries and employers, and leave injured workers feeling helpless and uncertain about the future.

What to do after a workplace injury

While some workplace accidents are outside of our control, knowing what to do immediately after an incident can help you get a clearer picture of what’s ahead and avoid potential surprises during your recovery. Here are a few steps to follow if you find yourself involved in a workplace accident:

1. Report the injury: Report the injury to your employer promptly. Delaware law generally requires notice to the employer within 90 days after an accident (unless the employer has actual knowledge).
2. Get medical attention: Even if you think your injuries are minor, you should always visit a medical provider as soon as possible after an accident. Not only do some medical conditions develop or worsen over time, but delaying care can lead insurers to challenge your claims for compensation down the line.
3. Gather documentation: You’ll want to collect and keep copies of medical records, witness statements, photo evidence, incident reports, and any communication with your employer or their insurance company in order to strengthen your claim.
4. Contact a workers’ compensation attorney: Not every claim is approved on its face, and some workers need a helping hand in fighting for their rights. An experienced Delaware workers’ compensation lawyer can help you get your paperwork in order, meet filing deadlines, and tackle the appeal process in the event that your claim is denied or undervalued by your employer’s insurance company.
5. File for workers’ compensation: Armed with ample documentation, comprehensive medical evaluations, and the support of a knowledgeable legal professional, you should be well-positioned to file a workers’ compensation claim. If approved, your claim should cover some or all of your medical care, lost wages, and rehabilitation needs and may also serve as the basis for a long-term disability claim down the line.

Everything you do and every choice you make after a workplace accident can have major implications for both your claim and your recovery process. The sooner you can take action to notify your employer and get in touch with a trusted workers’ compensation lawyer, the more options you may have at your disposal to protect and preserve your rights.

Final thoughts

Millions of workers fall victim to job-related accidents every year, but taking the right steps after an incident can help mitigate the long-term physical and financial consequences for you and your loved ones. Whether you slipped and fell at your retail job or contracted a communicable disease in a helping profession, you deserve to know that your rights are protected even if your health and safety were not.

At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, we understand the toll a workplace injury can take on local workers across all industries, and we are committed to helping members of our local community access the resources and support they need to heal. Regardless of how far along you are in the workers’ compensation claims process, our team may be able to help you cover your bases and safeguard your future.

If you or someone you know has been injured on the job, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team. We are standing by to learn more about your case and help you make an informed decision about how best to proceed in your fight for workers’ compensation.