Recent statistics published by the United Stated Department of Labor reveal that workers compensation accidents in Georgia last year resulted in 171 deaths. Although this figure appears high, the total number of fatalities was actually down from the prior year. In 2007, there were 193 deaths caused by a work related accident or injury.
As an Atlanta workers compensation lawyer, these statistics are of interest as they demonstrate where Georgia's workers are most at risk for injury. For example, further analysis of the workers compensation death statistics offer insight as to the cause of the employee fatalities. The largest category of deaths, 62, were caused by employees involved in a car accidents and truck accidents while working. Motor vehicle accidents were followed by falls at work (28 deaths), heavy equipment/machine accidents (28 deaths), and violent acts and assaults at work (26 deaths). As workers compensation attorneys, we are also interested in which workers are more at risk to sustain a work injury. The statistics evidence that men are disproportionately injured on the job in Georgia, as only 12 of the 171 deaths were women.
One particularly interesting revelation from the 2008 death statistics is that certain ethnic groups are killed at rates that are disproportionate to their representation in the general population. For example, although Hispanics comprise about 8 percent of Georgia's population, they accounted for almost 15% of all workers compensation deaths in 2008.
The Murray Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for individuals who have been hurt, or families whose loved one has been killed, in a workers compensation accident. We are based in Atlanta, but represent Clients throughout the state of Georgia.
