Workplace fatalities decreased nationwide in 2020, according to the latest fatal workplace accident statistics compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). But the decrease did not involve all workers. According to the AFL-CIO, workplace fatalities among Latino workers increased in 2020, continuing a trend of more Latino work-related deaths in the past decade.
"Worker injuries and deaths are still far too common," said Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO in an article by Market Watch News. "Every single day, 340 people die because of hazardous working conditions."
How common are workplace fatalities among Latinos?
In 2020, there were 4,764 workplace fatalities nationwide. That number represents a decrease of 10.6 percent, or 569 deaths compared to 2019 when 5,333 people died in fatal workplace accidents nationwide.
In contrast, workplace fatalities among Latino workers increased by 7.1 percent from 2019 to 2020, according to the AFL-CIO based on workplace fatality statistics compiled by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
These figures reflect an ongoing trend involving a steady increase in workplace fatalities among Latinos. In the past decade, the number of Latino worker deaths has increased by 15 percent between 2009 and 2019, according to OSHA statistics.
Which jobs are the most dangerous?
A lot of Latino workplace fatalities involved people working in the agriculture and warehouse industry, according to the AFL-CIO. In addition, many Latino worker deaths involved recent immigrants “who, due to labor-market discrimination and policy choices throughout history, are more likely to be Latino and Black,” Market Watch News reported.
In addition, workplace fatalities among Latino workers increased in the past decade among workers involved in the following industries, according to the BLS:
- Construction work
- Extraction work
- Building maintenance
- Grounds cleaning
- Installation work
- Maintenance work
- Repair occupations
Common causes of Latino workplace fatalities
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unsafe working conditions contribute to the most fatal workplace accidents involving Latino workers. In many cases, unsafe working conditions are caused by:
- Lack of safety training for workers
- Not providing workers with safety equipment
- Companies failing to regularly inspect workplaces to make sure they’re safe
- Unmarked hazards or objects in the workplace
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident on the job, make sure you take steps right away to protect your health and your legal rights. Seek immediate medical attention. Then, talk to a workers’ compensation lawyer right away.
Know your rights. Talk to a workers’ compensation attorney today.
Don’t simply assume you will receive workers’ compensation benefits if you get hurt on the job in the Bronx or another borough in New York City. Many times, employers and their insurance companies do everything they can to reduce or deny workers’ compensation claims. That’s why it’s critical that injured workers or surviving family members talk to an attorney right away.
The New York City workers’ compensation lawyers at the Law Offices of Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano, LLP can help you every step of the way. We know how the legal system works when it comes to workplace accidents and fatalities. As your attorney, we can work with you to file an injury claim or explore other legal options, including filing a wrongful death lawsuit, if necessary.
Don’t take chances with your future. Know your rights. Contact our law firm and learn more about how an experienced New York workers’ compensation attorney can help you. Schedule an appointment today. We have 12 offices conveniently located throughout New York, including five offices in New York City.