What are the Most Dangerous Jobs?

Dec 07,2017

All jobs come with some level of risk for injury. However, there are some that are inherently more dangerous than others. These dangerous jobs are often those involving manual labor, operating a vehicle or working with heavy machinery.

In 2015, 4,836 workers suffered fatal injuries on the job. That was the highest number of workplace deaths since 2008. Nearly half of these deaths resulted from transportation incidents. The second leading cause of fatal workplace injuries were slips and falls.

In 2015, the Bureau of Labor Statistics conducted a survey of the most dangerous jobs in the U.S. These jobs rank the highest in risk for injuries, permanent disability and death.

Here are 10 of the most dangerous jobs in the U.S.

Construction Worker: Not surprisingly, construction work ranks No. 1 on the list of dangerous occupations. These workers operate heavy machinery and power tools, put physical strain on their bodies, and operate vehicles. The majority of injuries for construction workers result from falls.
Correction Officer: Three out of every 100 correction officers are treated for injuries every year. These officers are in charge of guarding inmates, transporting them to and from court hearings, and providing security in courtrooms. Correction officers are 36 times more likely to be injured than the average American worker.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT): EMTs are the first responders to emergency situations. These workers are three times more likely to be injured while working than the average American worker. Injuries often result from the physical strain of moving patients, as well as assault by patients.
Carpenter: There are quite a lot of inherent risks associated with this occupation. Carpenters are constantly lifting things and using dangerous power tools, and they often work in precarious locations, such as roofs. Around 15% of carpenters suffer a work injury every year.
Firefighter: It is no question that firefighters put their lives on the line while on the job. Firefighters are at risk of burns, smoke inhalation, being hit by falling debris, and exposure to hazardous chemicals. In 2015, 68,085 firefighters reported on-the-job injuries.
Nurses: Nurses are under constant physical stress, from lifting patients to exposing themselves to diseases. Assaults on nurses is also a problem. According to the CDC, 1 in 4 nurses has been physically assaulted while working.
Police Officer: Police officers face a myriad of dangers, from vehicle accidents to physical assault. In 2014, 13.5 of every 100,000 full-time police officers suffered fatal work injuries.
Truck Driver: Driving is one of the most dangerous activities you can do, and truckers do it for a living. It is no wonder that their job ranks as one of the most dangerous in the U.S. Truck drivers have a fatal injury rate 7 times higher than the average American worker.
For-Hire Drivers: This includes taxi drivers, rideshare drivers such as Uber drivers, and other professional drivers. These drivers take on the risk of driving, as well as the risk of picking up dangerous people.
Loggers: Logging workers handle heavy machinery and tools, not to mention chopping down huge trees. The fatality rate for loggers is 128 deaths for every 100,000 logging workers.

While these jobs rank as some of the most dangerous by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these certainly are not the only occupations with a high risk of injury and death. The Census of Fatal Injuries only took into account jobs with at least 15 reported work fatalities in 2015, and at least 40 million work hours—the equivalent of 20,000 full-time employees. There are likely other dangerous jobs that have less workers, or for which long-term health problems are more common than immediate injuries.

Have You Been Injured on the Job?

Just because a job has inherent risks doesn’t mean that workers are not entitled to benefits if they are injured at work. In fact, workers’ compensation exists to help workers who have been injured on the job. In rare circumstances, your injury could qualify for a personal injury case. Contact an experienced California personal injury attorney to learn about your options if you have been injured at work.

“Many workers put themselves at risk everyday in order to perform services needed by society. When they are hurt on the job, they deserve to be compensated for their damages,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.