Workplace Accidents: the Danger Zone
Construction sites and other work places can be dangerous. Or fatal.
There were 5,283 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States in 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary, 2023 – 2023 A01 Results
Private industry surveys reported 2.8 million non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2022, a 7.5 percent increase from 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.
In Colorado, a total of 89 fatal workplace injuries were reported in 2022, and 83 in 2023, reports the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.
https://cdle.colorado.gov/press-releases/press-release-colorado-work-related-fatalities-decreased-in-2023
The number of occupational fatalities in Wyoming rose from 34 in 2022 to 45 in 2023 (an increase of 11 deaths, or 32.4%), reports the Wyoming Department of Workplace Services (WDWS).
https://dws.wyo.gov/wyoming-occupational-fatalities-increase-to-45-in-2023/ . The WDWS provides this analysis:
In 2023, 17 deaths occurred in natural resources & mining (or 37.8% of all deaths). Of those 17, nine deaths (20.0%) were reported in agriculture, forestry, fishing, & hunting, and eight deaths (17.8%) occurred in mining, quarrying, & oil & gas extraction.
Transportation & warehousing accounted for 13 deaths (28.9%) and construction accounted for three deaths (6.7%).
Across all industries, two-thirds of 2023 workplace deaths (66.7%) were the result of transportation incidents.
Transportation incidents include highway crashes, pedestrian vehicular incidents, aircraft incidents, and water vehicle incidents.
https://dws.wyo.gov/wyoming-occupational-fatalities-increase-to-45-in-2023/
In Colorado, a total of 83 fatal occupational injuries were recorded in 2023. There were 69 deaths in 2023 involving wage and salary workers, down from 83 in 2022. Self-employed worker fatalities increased from six in 2022 to 14 in 2023.
Falling, or incurring fatal injuries in driving incidents is a common cause of work fatalities:
- Transportation incidents were the leading cause of fatalities and up from the prior year by 6.1 percent. Transportation incidents increased from 33 in 2022 to 35 in 2023 and continue to lead all fatality events for at least the last 10 years.
- Falls, slips and trips are the second leading cause of fatalities in 2023. They accounted for 16 deaths and are up from 15 in 2022.
Wyoming’s estimated 587,629 population is about 10% of Colorado’s 5,957,493 estimated July 2024 population 587,629 population. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/CO/PST045224
Therefore, Wyoming should have about 10% of Colorado’s 86 workplace fatalities (average per year, using 2022 and 2023 data), so Wyoming can be expected to have about 8 or 9 workplace deaths per year.
https://www.bls.gov/charts/census-of-fatal-occupational-injuries/state-fatal-work-injuries-map.htm
But no! Suffering around 40 workplace fatal injuries per year, workers in Wyoming suffer injuries at a rate that is more than 500% higher (five times higher) than in Colorado, using these numbers.
Wyoming fatalities 45/34 (2023/2022)
Colorado 83/89 (2023/2022)
https://doe.state.wy.us/lmi/safety.html
If you were injured, or if a family member was killed, in a construction accident, speak with a Colorado and Wyoming construction accident attorney about getting the financial and medical assistance you need to help you recover and get back to work.
Workers’ Compensation Has Its Limits; We Exceed Them
Workers’ compensation does not cover all accidents that occur on construction sites and other workplace injuries. For example, a third party, such as a subcontractor, may be liable for your injuries. Let us explain the legal options available to you. Attorney JamesE. Gigax has been providing legal assistance to accident victims for over 30 years.
