According to the most recent census data and an economic news release by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) of more than 4,600 occupational fatalities in 2014, Louisiana ranked 12th among all states, accounting for 120 fatalities caused by events or exposures pertaining to specific occupations.
Of the 120 fatalities recorded, transportation incidents, harm caused by other people or animals, and falls or slips were the most common causes for these fatalities; other causes include fires and explosions, exposure to harmful substances, and contact with objects and equipment.
Compared to other states, Louisiana ranks high for occupational fatalities, but moderate to low for non-fatal occupational injuries. According to the BLS, Louisiana has the 7th highest fatality rate among all states, with 6.3 fatalities per 100,000 full-time employees.
Louisiana is outranked by occupational fatality rates in Wyoming (13.1), North Dakota (9.8), Alaska (7.8), South Dakota (7.2), Mississippi (7.1), and New Mexico (6.7).
States with the highest nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses rates, which are calculated per 100 full-time employees, include: Maine (5.3), Vermont (5.1), Washington (4.7), and Montana (4.6).
In the chart below, the state’s Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses are calculated per 100 full-time employees, and Occupational Fatalities are calculated per 100,000 full-time employees.
(Note: Each state voluntarily elects to participate in the BLS Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) and the BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI). Some data was not available in states that chose not to participate in one or both surveys.)
All data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 2016.
The type of work/industry a state’s population regularly engages influences occupational injury and fatality rates.
For example, Wyoming ranks 50th in the nation for population size but has the largest percentage of the workforce in mining and agriculture. The same is true of Alaska, where the population size is small compared to the percentage of workers in high-risk occupations, such as commercial fishing and logging.
The proportion of a workforce that is employed in these high-risk industries varies by state. This variation can help explain differences in fatal and non-fatal rates among states.
In Louisiana, workers in certain industries sustain nonfatal and fatal injuries at a much higher rate than the overall workforce; those industries include agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting.
Occupational injuries often result in lost wages, costly medical expenses, and emotional suffering. What’s worse, a wrongful death caused by negligence, poor working conditions, or unsafe equipment can destroy the lives of an entire family.
Whether it’s a broken bone, burn injury, neck or back injury, or catastrophic event, know that legal representation is available for you and your family.
Work-related injuries or fatalities can be devastating to a family. If you have any questions about an occupational injury or fatality, or if you suspect wrongful death caused by an employer’s negligence, we at the Monroe Law Office of J. Antonio Tramontana, Attorney at Law, want to hear from you.
For a free case review, please fill out the form to the right, or call me directly at (888) 982-1290.
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