If you’ve been hurt in one of these industries, you may deserve compensation
All jobs carry with them a bit of risk, no matter the industry. However, it’s fair to say that some jobs are quite a great deal riskier than others. A factory worker certainly encounters more dangerous situations on an average workday than a receptionist, for example. Wherever you work, if you’ve been hurt on the job in Georgia then you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.
Here are some of the most dangerous occupations and industries in Georgia and why they present the risk for injuries.
Farming and agricultural
Farmers are the backbone of America. This is especially true in Georgia, where our state proudly boasts a wide array of farmers and those who have tilled, sowed and harvested for generations.
Here are some stats about the farming industry in Georgia:
- Agriculture contributes approximately $73.3 billion annually to Georgia’s economy, according to the UGA Center for Agribusiness & Economic Development.
- One in 7 Georgians works in agriculture, forestry or related fields.
- According to the UGA Center for Agribusiness & Economic Development, the state’s forest industry supports more than 73,300 jobs in Georgia.
However, thanks in part to the introduction of heavy machinery that boosts efficiency and productivity, modern-day farming is a lot more stressful and potentially dangerous than it used to be 100 years ago. From temperamental animals to long shifts in the summer heat, the duties of a farmer or farmhand can result in injury, making it one of the more statistically dangerous jobs in Georgia.
On average, 240 agricultural workers report a workplace injury each day. Despite the occupational hazards farmworkers face, only 13 states require agriculture employers to provide workers’ compensation insurance.
In Georgia, nearly all employers in Georgia with 3 or more workers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance to cover regular full-time and part-time employees in the event of an accident on the job or occupational illness. However, Georgia is 1 of 16 states that do not require workers’ compensation coverage for migrant or seasonal farmworkers.
Delivery drivers and truckers
When it comes to the most deadly jobs in Georgia, those that involve a lot of driving tend to take the top spots. This isn’t a coincidence. Driving is one of the most dangerous activities any of us do on a regular basis. For truckers and delivery drivers, a combination of 2 dangerous work requirements contributes to the danger: driving a large vehicle on busy roads and frequently lifting heavy objects.
Although the right safety training can help to minimize the risk, drivers always take a chance when they must transport cargo long distances.
Nursing and healthcare workers
Medical professionals who work in nursing homes or dedicated care facilities are some of the unsung heroes of our society. The strain of physically assisting, moving and lifting patients can lead to persistent back pain and joint stress.
Furthermore, for those health professionals working in psychiatric or special treatment facilities, the risk of sustaining an injury while dealing with a combative or violent patient is ever-present as well.
Warehouse and factory workers
It should come as no surprise that those who work in warehouses and factories are at higher risk of sustaining a serious injury. Many folks in the manufacturing industry complain about joint and muscle pain due to frequently lifting and moving inventory on assembly lines.
There’s also a greater risk involved when working around heavy and potentially deadly machinery. When you combine this with long hours, which can lead to negligence due to fatigue, you create an environment where workplace accidents are bound to happen.
Fishing workers and loggers
Although loggers and fishers get to enjoy spending their days in the great outdoors, this is a potentially risky job for many reasons. First, it requires workers to constantly be on their feet all day, in addition to having to lift heavy objects constantly.
The presence of sharp objects and machinery also poses the risk of serious injury, particularly if workers are fatigued or working for a company that’s negligent in its safety protocol.
Construction workers
Atlanta is booming. Overall, the employment of construction laborers and helpers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations in Georgia. In 2019, 1,643,900 construction jobs were occupied in the state.
However, this industry isn’t without its risks.
The private construction industry had the highest number of fatalities in Georgia at 47—10 of which are transportation accidents. One in 5 worker deaths in 2016 were construction-related fatalities.
OSHA lists the “Fatal Four” as the most common causes of construction worker deaths. These are:
- Falls
- Being struck by an object
- Electrocutions
- Getting caught-in/between equipment, materials or machinery
What to do if you’ve been injured on the job
While some accidents may be unavoidable, many others are the result of preventable negligence on the part of the injured party’s employer. Often, the employer will attempt to deflect responsibility and make a case as to why they were not at fault. They may also attempt to smear the reputation of the injured worker by alleging that they were responsible for their own accident or are embellishing their injuries in the attempt to score a quick payday.
If you’ve suffered a workplace injury, you deserve justice, fairness and the appropriate compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages and more. The best way to ensure that you get what you deserve is by working with a workers’ compensation attorney with experience and knowledge.
