Work-related deaths and injuries on the Treasure Coast hit record-high. Here’s what you need to know.
We’ve been warned about the hazards of sitting in front of a computer for too long—back and neck pain, poor posture, arthritis, and even eye strain. But the most dangerous jobs on the Treasure Coast take place outside of the office. In 2019, work-related deaths reached a 12-year high, with more than 5,300 fatalities occurring across the country. To put that number in perspective, a worker died every 99 minutes from a work-related injury that year.
A similar trend was observed in Florida. In 2019, 306 people died while on the job, which does not include the thousands more who were severely injured at work. Another alarming statistic is that Hispanic and Latino worker fatalities were up 13% in 2019, which is the highest it has been since 1992.
The report published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the number of work-related deaths, accidents, and illnesses continues to increase. Here we breakdown the 5 most dangerous jobs on the Treasure Coast, calculated by the total fatalities of each occupation in 2019.
The 5 most dangerous jobs on the Treasure Coast
- Transportation and material moving
The most common workplace deaths on the Treasure Coast were related to transportation, with transportation accidents accounting for 40% of all work-related fatalities. Truck drivers, delivery drivers, and others who are required to be on the road for long periods of time are at higher risk for being involved in traffic accident.
2. Construction and extraction
The second most common workplace deaths on the Treasure Coast were related to construction and extraction. About two-thirds of the people who died in this industry last year were independent workers. Roof and high-rise construction had the highest number of injuries and fatalities.
3. Protective service
The third most common workplace deaths on the Treasure Coast occurred among protective service members, including police officers, fire fighters, EMTs, and correctional officers. The majority of the fatalities were caused by traffic accidents.
4. Installation, maintenance, and repair
The fourth most common workplace deaths on the Treasure Coast were related to jobs in installation, maintenance, and repair, which includes mechanics and technicians in the aviation, automotive, power generation, and electrical industries. These professions often involve working with heavy equipment, chemicals, and high electrical voltages, which creates a high-risk environment.
5. Management, business, financial operations
This may come as a surprise, but the fifth most common workplace deaths on the Treasure Coast were related to jobs in management, business, and financial operations. While most of these occupations are “desk jobs,” the Bureau of Labor Statistics report found that these professions require a lot of travel, with the majority of these fatalities occurring as a result of traffic accidents.
Fatal work injuries on the Treasure Coast by event
In the above section we shared the most dangerous jobs on the Treasure Coast. Here, we breakdown the top causes of these fatalities, showing the most fatal work injuries on the Treasure Coast by event.
1. Transportation incidents
Across all professions, traffic accidents were the leading cause of work-related deaths on the Treasure Coast.
2. Falls, slips, trips
Fatal work injuries caused by falls, slips, and trips were particularly high among construction and extraction occupations. Most of these incidents happened when a worker was working on an elevated surface, such as a roof, high-rise construction site, or crane.
3. Violence and other injuries by people or animals (includes homicides and suicides)
Violence was the third highest cause of fatal work injuries on the Treasure Coast. Violence incidents tended to occur in work situations where a person was working late night shifts alone, working in high-crime areas, or guarding valuable property or possessions.
4. Contact with objects and equipment
Fatal work injuries resulting from contact with objects and equipment was the fourth most common type of work-related deaths on the Treasure Coast. This type of incident was more prevalent in construction, mechanic, and maintenance occupations. These incidents included a moving object striking a worker, a part of the worker’s body being compressed in heavy equipment, or a worker being crushed from a structure collapse.
5. Exposure to harmful substances or environment (includes substance overdoses)
Fatal work injuries resulting from exposure to harmful substances or toxic environment was the fifth most common type of work-related deaths on the Treasure Coast. Nearly half of these deaths involved nonmedical use of drugs or alcohol resulting in unintentional overdoses. Since 2011, fatal workplace overdoses have increased by 328%.
What to do if you’re injured while at work in Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, or Okeechobee
Immediately call Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd at 866-930-6435
Under Florida law, all businesses are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This means that any Treasure Coast employee who is injured on the job is legally entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits to cover medical bills, lost wages, and physical and emotional distress. If you’re injured while at work in Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, or Okeechobee, follow these three steps to ensure you receive full and fair workers’ compensation.
- Report your injury to your employer immediately and demand to fill-out an accident report.
You must notify your supervisor or manager within 30 days of the incident or you may forfeit your rights to workers’ compensation benefits. In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires employers to keep workplace injury reports. Demand to fill out the report, even if your employer says it’s not necessary and save a copy for your records.
2. Seek medical attention even if you don’t think your injuries are that serious.
This is very important. You must seek medical attention immediately. If you don’t, your employer could downplay the seriousness of your injuries or claim that your injury was caused by something outside of work. To receive workers’ compensation benefits, you must have documented evidence that you saw a doctor or medical specialist.
3. Contact the experienced workers’ compensation attorneys at Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd
The next step to receive workers’ compensation is to file a claim; however, studies show that when individuals try to file a claim without the help of an attorney, they receive significantly less money. Unlike other injury law firms, Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd has a dedicated workers’ compensation division with several lawyers whose sole focus is filing workers’ compensation claims in Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, and Okeechobee. This means you will have an entire team working on your behalf. Nobody on the Treasure Coast knows workers’ compensation better.
What to do if a loved one is killed while at work in Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, or Okeechobee
Immediately call Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd at 866-930-6435
At Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd, our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys and wrongful death lawyers can help you recover all the workers’ compensation benefits to which you are entitled for the loss of your loved one. We will also analyze the circumstances of your family member’s death to determine if there are other potential sources of financial compensation. There are cases where other parties are responsible for a worker’s death in addition to the employer. We will hold all negligent and responsible parties accountable.
For example, if your loved one died in a car accident while performing his or her job, we may be able to pursue financial compensation from the driver of the other vehicle if the other driver was at fault. In these cases, it is very important to have a skilled attorney that is knowledgeable in this area of the law. Coordination of benefits takes expertise to resolve. Timing of settlement between parties is also an issue that must be considered. It is critical that settlement with one party does not compromise settlement with another party. The settlement documentation must be skillfully worded in order for benefits not to be lost.
Call 866-930-6435 now for a free consultation
Our attorneys are available 24/7 to help you.
Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd is a law firm with deep roots in the Treasure Coast community. For over four decades, our Treasure Coast personal injury, wrongful death, and workers’ compensation lawyers have helped thousands of injured victims and their families recover from serious accidents in St. Lucie County, Indian River County and Okeechobee County.
Led by Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney and National Top 100 Trial Attorney Steve Hoskins, our firm has obtained over $500 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients. We have the expertise and experience you need to take on insurance companies in the courtroom. We understand how serious accidents can upend your life and have long-term consequences. That’s why we fight for our clients, ensuring they receive the physical, emotional and financial support they need to heal, recover, and move forward.
We offer FREE, no-obligation consultations to all potential clients. And, you don’t have to pay for anything unless we secure a financial settlement for you.
Call 866-930-6435 now to schedule your complimentary meeting with one of our Treasure Coast personal injury lawyers.
Get the legal help you need without leaving your home
Our Treasure Coast personal injury lawyers are available 24/7 to provide the answers and help you deserve when you need it most. We have four convenient office locations in Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, and Okeechobee, but if you can’t come to us, you can get the protection you need and hire us electronically from home. We can then start working on your case in minutes.
Call 866-930-6435 to learn more.
