Each day, employees can be injured at work. At workplaces where there are many moving parts and heavy equipment, there is a higher likelihood of work injuries. Additionally, the age of the worker may also influence the likelihood of an injury. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has tracked fatal work injuries since 1992 and has provided some insightful data on trends. Also, the National Safety Council (NSC) has studied work injuries from 2011 to 2019. According to the data from these sources, workers over 55 years old are more at risk for injuries than other age groups.
Why are Older Workers at Risk for Injuries?
From 2011 to 2019, work injuries increased from approximately 15 percent to nearly 17 percent among workers who were between 55 and 64 years old, according to data from the NSC. With the development of new technology and increased education about worker safety, these numbers should have decreased instead of increased. This might suggest that employers were not enforcing safety practices.
According to the BLS, fatal work injuries for workers between 25 and 34 years old decreased between 1992 and 2016. However, there was an increase for workers who were 55 years old and older. Injuries for workers between 16 years old and 20 years old remained consistent in both studies. These statistics are concerning since the trend was different for workers between the two age groups.
The data from the BLS and the NSC raises many concerns for both employees and employers. The information suggests that older workers are not being trained properly and that employers may not be enforcing safety standards. Employers may need to adapt their trainings and the enforcement of safety practices to better reach older employees. If an employee is injured on the job, they are likely eligible for workers’ compensation. After a work accident, an employee should speak to a lawyer about filing a claim for benefits.
Downingtown Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Wusinich, Sweeney & Ryan, LLC Help Older Employees Get Compensation for Work Injuries
Older workers may be more vulnerable to injuries. If you were involved in a work accident, a Downingtown workers’ compensation lawyer at Wusinich, Sweeney & Ryan, LLC can effectively look at your situation and help you collect benefits. Employers should be aware of trending data and understand that they may need to change practices to promote safety among all workers. Contact us online or call us at 610-594-1600 for a free consultation today. Located in Exton, Pennsylvania, we serve clients throughout Downingtown, West Chester, Exton, Coatesville, Phoenixville, Malvern, Lyndell, Wagontown, Uwchlan Township, Parkesburg, Chester Springs, Lancaster County, Reading, and Morgantown.