• 03
  • February
    2012

The majority of people of working age spend an estimated 40 percent or more of their waking hours employed at their respective work sites. Given that, it comes as no surprise to disability attorneys in New York or elsewhere throughout the country that the potential for job-related injuries is high, along with their actual realization, and that workers' compensation benefits necessarily provide for ailing workers.

Researchers involved in one recent study say that the overall costs associated with worksite injuries and illnesses are even higher than commonly perceived. They note that the nation spends about $250 billion a year in costs related to employees who cannot work (down time, benefits expended and other factors). Adjusting for inflation, the costs have increased by $33 billion since 1992.

A key study finding strongly stresses that the United States needs to focus more acutely on addressing the issue and reducing workers' injuries, since the costs in money, time and productivity will only increase further in the future without remedial action being taken.

"It's unfortunate that occupational health doesn't get the attention it deserves," says study author J. Paul Leigh, a professor at the University of California, Davis. "The costs are enormous and continue to grow."

Data taken from 2007 indicate that about 59,000 workers died that year in work-related injuries. That exceeded the number of fatal car crash victims across the country by more than 15,000.

Study authors extracted relevant information from more than 40 databases providing information on workplace injuries and illnesses.

Source: US News & World Report, "U.S. work-related injuries, illnesses take toll on the till" Jan. 20, 2012