Working to earn a living should never mean sacrificing your health or your future. Many Missouri workers confront daily risks that greatly increase the chance of a serious injury. If you work in a high-risk field, you deserve to know which jobs pose the greatest threat to your safety.
Construction
Construction work consistently ranks high for fatalities and serious injuries. Falls from high places, being struck by an object and electrocution are frequent causes of harm. A construction injury often involves immediate and expensive medical care.
Transportation and warehousing
This sector includes truck drivers, delivery personnel and warehouse staff. Vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for these workers. Non-fatal injuries often involve overexertion from heavy lifting or falls, especially in warehouse settings.
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
These jobs often occur in remote locations using heavy, powerful machinery, such as tractors and logging equipment. Fatal injuries are often caused by tractor rollovers or by being struck by falling trees. Workers also face high rates of respiratory issues and amputations.
Manufacturing
Factory and plant environments involve many hazards, including powerful machinery and repetitive motion. Common injuries include amputations, crushed limbs and chronic pain conditions like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome from repetitive tasks.
Healthcare and social assistance
While not always fatal, this field records a very high number of non-fatal injuries. Nurses, aides and other workers commonly sustain back and shoulder injuries from lifting and moving patients. They also face risks from needle sticks and workplace violence.
Protecting your rights after a workplace injury
If you work and suffer injuries in one of these dangerous fields, workers’ compensation can provide avenues for healing. It is a no-fault system, meaning you get benefits regardless of who caused your injury, as long as the injury happened while you did your job.
Workers’ comp includes strict deadlines and documentation requirements. Injured workers must notify employers within 30 days and file claims within two years in most cases.
Many injured workers receive inadequate compensation because they handle claims alone. To avoid such an outcome, consider enlisting legal guidance when pursuing workers’ comp to increase the likelihood of getting the full benefits your injury demands.