What Jobs Put Tennessee Workers Most At Risk Of Wrongful Death?

Posted in Wrongful death on August 16, 2023

Some workers operate in hazardous environments that place them at risk of significant injury or illness on a regular basis. Even though there are fairly stringent workplace safety requirements for all industries across Tennessee, injuries still occur. Here, we want to review which jobs put Tennessee workers most at risk of sustaining a fatal injury or illness. If you have lost someone you love in a workplace accident in the state of Tennessee, we recommend that you reach out to a skilled wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible for a free consultation of your claim.

Construction Industries

According to information available from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), we can see that workers in the construction industry comprised around 20% of all workplace fatalities during a recent reporting year.

Instruction workers operate in hazardous environments on a daily basis. Some of the main hazards include risks of electrocution, falling from heights, tool mishaps, dangers from particulate matter in the air, and more. Construction workers are at risk of sustaining not only traumatic injuries but also internal illnesses and diseases as a result of occupational exposure.

Agricultural and Forestry Industries

Tennessee has strong agricultural and forestry industries, but according to the National Safety Council, workers in this industry experienced the highest death rate per 100,000 workers in 2021. Farming is a major industry in Tennessee, and information from the US Department of Agriculture states that Tennessee ranks 8th in the total number of farms, and the number one commodity for the state is cattle and calves, followed by broilers, soybeans, corn, and nursery crops.

Forestry has a major impact on the Tennessee economy, providing billions of dollars of economic output in the state each year.

Between the agricultural and forestry industries, workers face significant risks, including risks from traumatic injuries, repetitive stress injuries, and long-term occupational diseases.

Healthcare Workers

OSHA says that hospitals are one of the most dangerous places to work in the US. The agency states that, in 2019, there were more than 220,000 work-related injuries and illnesses among healthcare workers throughout the country. Healthcare workers face dangers from various types of hazards, including workplace violence. Healthcare workers are also at risk of exposure to many types of deadly diseases in the workplace.

Manufacturing

There are several major manufacturing industries in the state of Tennessee, with major manufacturing companies employing thousands of workers. Some of the major manufacturers in the state include Bridgestone, Nissan, Eastman Chemical, Volkswagen, and others. Manufacturing comes with many employee risks, including the risk of getting struck by objects, exposure to hazardous chemicals, extreme work environments, and more.

Steel and Iron Workers

Structural iron and steel workers face a very high risk of fatal workplace injuries per 100,000 workers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The environments that iron and steel workers operate in can rightfully be described as intense. Workers in this industry face risks from falls, burns, overheating, toxins and chemicals, impalements, and more.

Delivery Driving Industries

There are many types of delivery drivers in the state of Tennessee. When individuals think of these types of services, they often think of individuals who work for the US Postal Service. However, with the expansion of online shopping, the number of delivery services has rapidly expanded. This includes not only UPS and FedEx but also everyday delivery drivers who handle shipping for companies like Amazon and Walmart. Additionally, the rise of delivery shopping services such as Grubhub, Instacart, and others that’s also contributed to the total number of delivery drivers on the roadway.

Delivery drivers face risks on multiple fronts, including the risk of getting into an accident on the roadway. Additionally, drivers face risks every time they step onto another person’s property because there are so many unknown factors related to delivering packages, including risks of animal attacks and hazardous property conditions.

Is a Work Injury Lawyer Necessary?

We strongly recommend working with a lawyer if you have lost a loved one due to a workplace incident in the state of Tennessee. These claims can become incredibly challenging, and the last thing grieving family members need to focus on is any potential liability claims arising due to the incident.

A wrongful death lawyer in Tennessee will understand the processes involved, and they can take over every aspect of the case. There may be various routes toward recovering compensation for surviving family members and the estate of the deceased.

According to the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development, death benefits are available to surviving dependents, and they are paid by the insurance company or a self-insured employer. These benefits are designed to replace lost wages. When a deceased individual leaves no dependence behind, $20,000 will be paid to their estate. <

If the employee does have a surviving spouse but no dependent children, then 50% of their average weekly wage will be paid to the surviving spouse (subject to statutory maximum weekly benefits). If an employee does have a surviving spouse and one or more dependent children, then 66 2/3% shall be paid to the surviving spouse for the benefit of themselves and the dependent children. Benefits will also cover burial expenses up to $10,000.

An attorney may be necessary if an employer or the insurance carrier gives family members any problem with recovering their rightful compensation.

Family members and estates may be able to recover additional types of compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit filed against an alleged negligent party. In certain cases, these third-party lawsuits may be necessary in order to hold the correct party accountable and for the family and estate to recover the compensation they deserve. If a third-party lawsuit is viable, additional types of compensation can include coverage of any last medical bills, complete replacement of lost wages, pain and suffering damages, and more.

A skilled wrongful death lawyer in Nashville can offer a free consultation to help point you and your family in the right direction.