Though the national statistics for death in the workplace remained essentially unchanged, New Jersey saw a nearly 10% increase in job-related fatalities in 2015. Data gathered by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that 97 workers were killed on the job in 2015, as compared to 87 the year before. Authorities declined to speculate on why the number of workplace fatalities increased so dramatically.
Here’s what the information collected indicated—
Motor vehicle accidents were the single biggest cause of workplace deaths, accounting for more than a third of the fatal accidents—37
Falls from heights were also a frequent cause of death in the workplace—24 workers died in 2014 from these types of accidents
Deaths due to violence took the biggest jump, nearly doubling from 11 in 2014 to 18 a year later
Not surprisingly, the industry with the highest death toll was then construction business, where nearly one in four (22) of the fatal accidents occurred
With motor vehicle accidents as the primary cause of accidental death on the job, it came as no surprise that the occupation with the highest mortality rate was that of motor vehicle operator—15 deaths
Statistics indicated that more than half of the workers killed in New Jersey—54%–were Caucasian. The data showed that more than 2/3rds (67%) of those who died nationally were white. Men are most at risk to die in a workplace accident—98% of the fatalities nationally were male, as were 93% in New Jersey. Self-employed workers accounted for only 14% of the fatalities nationwide and just over a third of those who died (35%) were over the age of 55.
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If you or someone you love has been injured at work in New Jersey, we can help you seek full and fair compensation for your losses. For a private meeting with experienced personal injury attorneys, contact us online or call our offices, in New Brunswick at 732-247-3600 or in Somerville at 908-448-2560.