The cost of a workplace injury

On behalf of Jeffrey Frederickof Frederick & Hagle posted in Workers’ Compensation on Friday, May 16, 2014.

Being injured on the job has many potential personal costs to the individual injured. Typically, the cost can encompass the physical injury, as well as the emotional and financial stress that an Illinois worker may face when dealing with their injuries. However, it is not only the workers that must contemplate what a workplace injury could cost.

According to reports, workplace injuries in the private sector cost a northeastern state economy more than $10.9 billion in the period of time from 2010 to 2012. However, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reportedly had a $583 million budget for the 2012 fiscal year. In 2012, the state reported data that detailed 146,300 private sector injuries.

With more than 590,000 reported workplaces in the state, there are less than 200 OSHA inspectors to perform the necessary safety inspections, which, according to the report, lessens the overall impact that OSHA has in gaining employers willingness to protect their employees. According to the story, the author of the report seeking reform to the state’s worker’s compensation laws believes that the state should work to improve the economic and health impact that workplace injuries by requiring employers in the private sector to put workplace safety programs into place. As a result, the report’s author believes that it will lead to a decrease in worker injuries as well as lower costs, which is the result that other states with similar programs have reportedly had following the implementation of their respective programs.

Illinois workers are not immune to the possibility of a workplace injury. Unfortunately, being injured on the job is a reality for some workers. Workers’ compensation benefits are one method by which injured employees can receive reimbursement for any medical expenses or a portion of lost wages incurred due to any injuries they have as a result of a workplace injury.

Source: ehstoday.com, “Workplace Injuries in New York Cost the Economy $10.9 Billion in Three Years“, Sandy Smith, May 6, 2014