OSHA released a new report called “Adding Inequality to Injury: The Costs of Failing to Protect Workers on the Job” noting that approximately 3 million workers sustain some type of injury on the job per year. The study went on to further note that that injured workers will make about 15% less than a non-injured colleague over the course of 10 years, and will be forced to pay 50% of the expenses.

The Rising Costs of On-the-Job Injuries

OSHA presents several causes for the strain on the workers’ compensation system and the number of claims being made. One of the factors includes changes in trends in the workplace are prioritizing shortcuts and quick fixes, rather than looking at the bigger picture. This means ignoring basic safety guidelines or failing to provide warnings for any potential dangers.

Other troublesome trends in the workforce include:

• Usage of inexperienced, temporary employees
• Classifying wage workers as independent contractors
• Employees from different companies working at one site

Ultimately, these factors correlate to the fact that when these practices are exercised, there is little uniformity in the way safety protocols are enforced and regulated. For example, if an employee from Company A is working on the same site from Company Z, they are both receiving different instructions, and no set standard to ensure safety.

Because of this, the number of claims rises. It is estimated that workers’ compensation claims are costing close to $200 billion dollars. The compensation awarded was meant to cover the costs of lost wages due to inability to work, medical expenses, and other costs related to recovery, such as pain and suffering costs and the emotional impact it can leave on the injured person’s family. Even then, workers are only receiving a fraction—about $31, 000 less—than had they not been injured in the first place.

Fight for what you deserve—let our attorney help!

If you believe your employer failed to ensure your safety, know that you have the right to hold them accountable and be financially responsible for their actions. As you may now be aware, filing a claim on your own is an ordeal that can be difficult to manage on your own. That is why you should rely on Attorney John Daspit to handle your case. He is a former insurance defense lawyer, which means he knows the tactics that insurance companies use to deny or approve of claims. This insider knowledge can tip the scales your favor!

Choose our Houston workers’ compensation lawyer at The Daspit Law Firm and schedule a consultation today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.