Employers are required to report a wide range of work injuries when they happen, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) records and analyzes the data about workplace injuries it receives. On a regular basis, the BLS releases information about employer-related workplace injuries and illnesses, typically at the end of a calendar year. The BLS recently released data for the 2021 calendar year at the end of 2022. In general, employers reported an overall decline in work-related illnesses, which may be due in part to a decline in the rate of respiratory illnesses and days away from work caused by COVID-19. At the same time, injury and illness rates remained high across a wide range of industries. It is important for employees and employers alike to learn more about the recent data in order to consider injury risks and prevention strategies in the workplace. Our Pompano Beach workers’ compensation attorneys can provide you with more information.
Overall Nonfatal Injury and Illness Rate Declined in 2021
One of the key takeaways from the BLS news release is that the overall rate of employer-reported nonfatal injuries and illnesses declined in 2021 in comparison with 2020. Indeed, the data showed an overall drop in nonfatal injuries and illnesses by nearly 2 percent from the previous year.
As the BLS explains, this “decline in injury and illness cases was due to a drop in illness cases, with private industry employers reporting 356,200 nonfatal illnesses in 2021, down from 544,600 in 2020, a drop of 32.9 percent.” The BLS further clarifies that “this decrease was driven by a 37.1 percent decrease in employer reported respiratory illness cases in 2021 at 269,600, down from 428,700 in 2020.”
Certain Industries Continue to Have High Injury Rates
The BLS report shows that certain industries continue to have particularly high injuries rates, and many showed increases in 2021. The industry with the highest rate of workplace injuries and illnesses is the health care and social assistance industry, although this industry showed a slight decline in injury and illness rates from 2020 to 2021. It is important to note, however, that 2021 injury rates remained higher in 2021 than in 2019, prior to the start of the pandemic.
Other industries that showed a high rate of injuries that actually increased between 2020 and 2021 were retail trade, manufacturing, and transportation and warehousing. Many other industries also showed a rise in injury and illness rates between 2020 and 2021, although injury rates in these industries are relatively low comparatively. Examples of those industries include educational services, arts and entertainment, and professional and technical services.
Contact a Pompano Beach Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Some types of injuries at work are more common than others, and some industries have higher injury rates than others. Regardless of where and how your workplace injury occurred, you could be eligible to seek workers’ compensation benefits. Our lawyers know how critical workers’ compensation coverage is for injured workers, and we can help you to seek the compensation you need. Do not hesitate to get in touch with one of the experienced Pompano Beach workers’ compensation attorneys at the Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A. to learn more about how we can assist you.
Source:
bls.gov/news.release/pdf/osh.pdf
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