Chicago workersu2019 compensation attorney Howard Ankin said the latest workplace injury numbers are welcome news, but that thereu2019s still much work left to do to protect employee safety. The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released its 2013 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. It shows a decline in serious injuries and illnesses and no change in non-serious injuries.
The survey shows that there were more than three million workplace injuries or illnesses in 2009. Injuries accounted for 2.9 million cases, while illness accounted for the remaining 100,000. In terms of types of employers, mid-size private companies reported the most injuries, while small companies with 10 or less employees reported the least.
The biggest decrease came among injuries that meet the DART classification. An injury is a DART injury if it results in days away, reclassification, or transfer. More than 1.6 million of the reported injuries met DART standards. Thatu2019s a rate of 1.7 per 100 employees, which is a decline from 2012.
There were approximately 1.4 million injuries that didnu2019t result in days away or job reclassification or transfer. That represents a rate of 1.6 per 100 full-time workers, which is unchanged from 2012.
Howard Ankin, owner and partner at Ankin Law, LLC, said that while he is happy about the decrease, he recognizes that there is still work to do. u201cI see sufferers of workplace injuries all the time,u201d he said. u201cWhile I can appreciate the progress, I still feel for those three million who are suffering. Thereu2019s much work to do to make workplaces safer for everyone.u201d
Ankin added that those who frequently suffer injuries are often the least prepared to deal with them. u201cI see a lot of workers from manual labor and service industries. They work demanding jobs and the work takes its toll,u201d he said.u201d u201cUnfortunately, they may not have the financial stability needed to miss extended periods of work.u201d
Mr. Ankin said that he and his firm continue to fight for injured workers who may need compensation to pay for lost wages, medical treatment, and rehabilitation.
Another study found that lower back pain is the leading cause of disability around the world. Furthermore, men are more susceptible to suffer from lower back pain than women
