Atlanta Injury Lawyers Blog

A posting on our Atlanta Injury Lawyer blog last week discussed a recent statistical report published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle indicating that the number of Georgia workers compensation deaths declined in 2008. As an Atlanta workers compensation attorney, I had speculated that this drop was likely due to the U.S. economical climate which has led to a slowdown in the construction industry. Much to my surprise, however, further research has revealed that most workers compensation fatalities in Georgia are not related to work site accidents.

In 2008, of the 171 work deaths reported to the State Board of Workers Compensation, more than one-third were caused by car and truck accidents occurring in Atlanta and throughout Georgia. Specifically, 62 work accident fatalities were caused by car and truck accidents. As both an Atlanta car accident attorney and an Atlanta workers compensation attorney, this figure was unexpected.

Following car and truck accidents, the most common cause of work related deaths in Georgia was "contact with objects and equipment" and "falls," which each accounted for 28 work fatalities. "Assaults and violent acts" resulted in 26 occupational deaths in Georgia, with "fires or explosions" (16) and "exposure to harmful substances" (11) accounting for the remainder fatalities.

As an Atlanta work injury attorney, I was interested to read a statistical report released in this week's Atlanta Business Chronicle analyzing workers' compensation cases in Georgia. The report showed that in the calendar year 2008, wrongful deaths related to work accidents declined significantly. Atlanta work accidents relating in deaths dropped to 62 from a total of 90 in 2007, while Georgia occupational fatalities dropped to 171 from 193 in the previous year.

Atlanta injury lawyers, and workers compensation lawyers throughout Georgia, have suggested that they have seen a decline in the number of work-related injuries in the last year. Obviously, many relate this to the down turn in the economy. As the construction has slowed substantially, so to have the frequent work injuries associated with the industry. While it is certainly a blessing that we have seen less work accidents in Georgia over the last year, it is troubling that this phenomenon appears to be associated with a weak job market as opposed to safer occupational standards.

As the economy resuscitates and the construction industry begins to pick up steam, Atlanta's accident attorneys anticipate that work accident figures will similarly escalate. We hope that most of these injuries will be minor, however, and that fatal occupational injuries will continue to decline.