A new study reveals that Maine is the state with the highest rate of workplace accidents. Research conducted by experts at High Rise Financial analyzes the most recent data from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics to reveal the rate of nonfatal work injuries and illnesses across each U.S state. The study reveals that Maine is the state with the most accidents in the workplace, with the highest rate being 4.7 out of every 100 full-time workers.
On average, 2.8 workers out of every 100 in the U.S are injured every year. Maine’s rate is 67.8% higher than the yearly average.Maine also had the highest rate of injury or illness which led to restricted work or job transfer, involving 1.4 of every 100 workers. Job transfers are often the result of work restrictions leading to a temporary change in an injured worker’s routine job functions.
Oregon and Vermont placed next in the rankings, with an accident rate of 3.8 out of 100 full-time workers. Oregon also ranked high for the rate of cases resulting in days away from work, with 1.7 of every 100 workers taking one or more days off due to workplace injuries. Washington ranks fourth for the highest number of workplace accidents, while Montana follows in fifth place. The top ten is rounded out by Alaska, Hawaii, Iowa, Minnesota and Nevada, all coming out with a total of 3.3 out of 100 recordable cases per 100 workers.
Generally, Northern states have higher percentages of people working in jobs such as health and personal care, nursing, and heavy tractor/truck drivers. Particularly healthcare which is known to be one of the most dangerous professions. These professions tend to have higher risk factors, such as environmental hazards, burnout and even violence. In fact, nearly two million American workers report being victims of workplace violence each year.
In Maine, most recent data shows 15,890 people of 592,000 registered employees (2.68%) are Home Health and Personal Care Aides, and 14,380 people of 592,000 (2.43%) are Registered Nurses. These professions are the second and third most popular professions in the state. Maine also has 9,610 (1.62%) Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers, the eleventh most popular profession across the state.
A spokesperson for High Rise Financial, a Pre-Settlement Legal Funding Company, has commented on the findings. “The number of cases, particularly in the top five states of the study, show just how often workers across the U.S are involved in accidents in the workplace. “It is extremely important for employers to address these statistics, emphasizing the implications of a potentially dangerous working environment. Not only can workplace accidents directly impact workers’ health and safety, but also the workforce as a whole, losing team members and potentially incurring financial losses if cases are taken to court.
“Slips, trips and falls are the top cause of all workers’ compensation claims, incurring injuries such as broken bones, sprains, cuts, pulled muscles, and damage to the back, head and neck. Whilst these types of injuries are described as ‘nonfatal’, they can result in hospitalization and missed workdays, often resulting in financial losses. Accidents in a workplace can pose many complications in injury cases, due to the number of parties that are often involved as well as the time they can take to be resolved.
“While legal representatives can resolve some lawsuits quickly, most take months or even years to settle. As a result, many workplace injury victims amass debt while waiting for their settlement. Therefore, opting for pre-settlement funding can help a claimant access money prior to their settlement, to avoid a buildup of debt without applying for a loan.”