Chicago, Illinois residents would be shocked to know that more than 50,000 workers are killed in the United States every year as a result of injuries and illnesses caused by their occupation. This statistic is based on a recent study conducted by the National Council on Occupational Safety and Health. The report entitled, “Preventable Deaths 2014” contains data pertaining to workplace fatalities for the year 2012.
Recently, Central Illinois labor group held their annual Memorial Day rally in Peoria, Illinois to remember those workers who lost their lives as a result of a workplace injury or illness. The twenty-fifth commemoration parade made its way to the Workers Memorial Monument at city hall, where further events commemorating the issue took place.
According to the NCOSH report, more than 4,000 people were killed by sudden traumatic injuries in the workplace in 2012. The report suggested that this preliminary data may increase once the U.S. Department of Labor tallies the final statistics for that calendar year.
The report also pointed out that an estimated 50,000 workers die every year due to long-term diseases contracted while on the job. Deaths from illnesses related to the workplace cost the U.S. economy approximately $45 billion every year. Interestingly enough, the report stated that as many as 700 deaths can be prevented every year by limiting workplace exposure to some potentially harmful substances, such as silica.
If a worker is the sole financial provider for a family, his or her death can have severe consequences for the family, both emotionally and financially. Therefore, family members of deceased workers may choose to consult a Chicago work-related deaths lawyer to ensure that an accident caused by a Chicago employer’s negligence, such as use of dangerous tools or a fall from heights due to lack of precautions, is addressed to the fullest degree of the law. It is a good idea to tap into the expertise of the legal professional to get a clear understanding about all of the available options.
Source: Peoria Public Radio, “ Workers Memorial Day in Peoria ,” Tanya Koonce, April 28, 2014
