Report Says Logging Is One of the Most Dangerous Jobs
Posted March 15th, 2018 by Anthony Carbone, PC.
Categories: Workers Compensation.
According to a recent article in the USA Today about a 2016 study done by 24/7 Wall St., working in the logging industry is the most dangerous job in America. We aren’t going to disagree. Logging is a demanding job that occurs in remote locations where medical aid is hard to come by. In Layman’s terms, if you’re hurt, you might be out of luck.
Not if the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone have anything to say about it. Logging accidents can result in very serious injuries and even death. Here are some statistics from the study mentioned earlier:
- 135.9 fatal injuries occur per 100,000 workers
- 91 fatal injuries in 2016
- 900 nonfatal injuries in 2016
- Being struck by an object was the most common accident
The injuries most commonly associated with logging occur to worker’s hands, head, upper body, legs, and feet. You are probably thinking that all of these injuries happen because of falling trees and tree limbs. While some do, the majority do not. Many logging accidents happen when a worker is struck by equipment such as a chainsaw. Other types of equipment used in the logging industry that might cause injury include:
- feller bunchers
- grapple skidders
- forwarders
- harvesters
- delimbers
- slashers
- chippers
- debarkers
Because of injuries that arise from the logging industry, many injured workers lose time from work while the medical bills rack up. In many instances, injuries resulting from logging can leave workers permanently disabled. While filing a workers’ compensation claim can help, it won’t save an injured worker and their loved ones from pain and suffering.
A workers’ comp claim might be common when dealing with logging industry injuries, but there are multiple claims that can be brought forward involving issues of employee training or lack thereof, unsafe equipment, improper machine operation certifications, slipping and falling from trees or limbs, and even violations of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements when it comes to logging.
The OSHA requirements for loggers call for more training, especially when it comes to new jobs, equipment, tools, and practicing safe work habits. Unfortunately, these requirements tend to be overlooked by employers who are supposed to implement and practice them.
Logging accident lawsuits are dependent upon the determining facts that lead up to and that have caused the accident along with the corresponding injury. If you have suffered a severe injury or lost a loved one from a logging accident, you need an attorney in your corner who’s experienced in many facets of the law.
Contact the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone today to set up a free consultation. We are here to help in your time of need.
