Workplace accidents are a serious problem and the cause of long-term injuries for many people in Minnesota. These incidents can happen in any industry and often require employees to take time away from their jobs or even have to work on a restricted basis. Every year, the Department of Labor and Industry Bureau of Labor Statistics puts together statistics about how many on-the-job accidents occur in the nation and in each state.
For 2014, the rate of non-fatal work-related accidents in the U.S. was 3.2 for every 100 people employed on a full-time basis. Minnesota’s rate of these incidents was higher with 3.7 out of every 100 full-time people sustaining an injury that required reporting to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Out of the 78,700 employees injured while on the job in Minnesota, 38,400 of them either lost time at work, had to be transferred to a new job function or had to work in a limited or restricted capacity due to their injuries.
The number of people injured in workplace accidents in Minnesota in 2014 was lower than the prior year. In 2013, there were 81,200 reported accidents in the state. However, in 2011, there were 75,400 such incidents, fewer than in 2014. Agriculture, forestry, transportation and healthcare were some of the industries showing the highest number of injuries.
Clearly workplace accidents are an ongoing problem for Minnesota employees. Anyone who is injured while at work may wish to talk to an attorney to learn how to receive appropriate compensation.
Source: BrainerdDispatch.com, “Survey shows Minnesota workplace injury rate sets new all-time low,” November 1, 2015
