Fatal Work Injuries in Minnesota and Your Right To Compensation

The calendar has recently turned to 2018, which means the most recent statistics about fatal work accidents in Minnesota have been released. The most recent data is actually for the 2016 year, because there are still ongoing investigations and open cases stemming from 2017 incidents. However, the 2016 data still provides us with a fresh look at how well Minnesota companies are doing at keeping their workers safe from fatal injuries. Unfortunately, the numbers suggest we’re trending in the wrong direction.

According to the most recent data, there were a total of 92 fatal work injuries in Minnesota in 2016. That’s a significant jump from 2014 when there were 62 fatal work injuries, and 2015 when there were 74 fatal work injuries. It’s actually the highest number of fatal work injuries in Minnesota since 1996.

Fatal Work Injury Statistics

Here’s a closer look at some of the statistics uncovered in Minnesota’s Annual Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries:

In 2016, Minnesota’s fatal injury rate was 3.4 fatalities per 100,000 full-time-equivalent workers.

The most dangerous industry for fatal work accidents was the “Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting” industry, with 23 reported fatalities.

The second most dangerous industry was the construction industry, with 15 cases, up six from 2015.

The most common type of workplace accident that resulted in a fatal injury was a transportation accident (46 deaths).

The second and third most common types of workplace accident that led to a fatal injury was exposure to harmful substances or environments (12 deaths) and falls (11 deaths).

Men accounted for 84 of the 92 fatally injured workers in Minnesota in 2016.

More than half of workers who were fatally injured on the job in 2016 were over the age of 55.

Compensation For Fatal Work Injuries In Minnesota

There’s no way to prepare for the unexpected death of a family member in a work accident, but it’s important to remember that Minnesota workers’ compensation offers protections for families who lost a loved one in a work accident. You have the right to file for death benefits or a wrongful death suit, which can help provide some economic stabilization during these trying times.

We’ve helped individuals in these situations earn the compensation they deserve after someone close to them died in a work accident. We know that you have a million more important things on your plate, but there are also deadlines to meet in order to get your compensation. You don’t have to go through this process alone, or you don’t want to deal with any of it, let us help. We can do all the heavy lifting when it comes to filing a claim, which will allow you to focus on what matters most during this difficult time. If you want to learn how we can help you after a fatal work accident, contact Dean Margolis today.