Although all jobs have risks that can result in injuries or fatalities, some Pennsylvania workers are more at risk than others. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has provided a list of the most dangerous occupations based on the number of fatalities from 2014.
On a per capita basis, logging topped the list of the most deadly occupations in 2014. This may be in part because loggers are often required to work on rough terrain and can be injured from heavy falling branches. Additionally, since many loggers work in wilderness areas, they often do not have easy access to hospitals should an accident occur. In 2014, there were a reported 78 deaths with 110.9 fatalities for every 100,000 logging employees.
After loggers, people who worked in the fishing industry were the most at risk with approximately 80 deaths per 100,000 workers. Aircraft pilots and aviation engineers was determined to be the third most dangerous job with 64 fatalities per 100,000 workers. Roofers had about 47 fatalities per 100,000 workers while the recycling and refuse industry came in at number five on the list of most dangerous jobs. There were approximately 36 deaths per 100,000 in this industry.
A person who is killed in a fatal workplace accident often leaves behind surviving family members who, in addition to the understandable grief that results from the sudden death of a loved one, have to face the long-term financial consequences attendant to the loss of contributions that the decedent made to the household expenses. In some cases, the survivors could be eligible for death benefits under the decedent’s employer’s workers’ compensation insurance coverage, and an attorney can often be of assistance in helping them prepare and submit the required application.