Workplace Injuries And Illness Increasing In New York
If you live in New York, working in the public sector is the place to be. Better pay and benefits, more safety. Safety is the big one. Trying to make a living in the private sector is not easy. Not only are there financial considerations but also physical ones, as going to work is quickly becoming more hazardous.
Close to 200,000 workers are injured every year in New York The incidence of workplace injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time workers has increased in the state over the past three years. The state’s workplace injury rates have been on the rise since 2019, and exceed United States levels.
Workplace fatalities in New York have averaged 250 a year over the past decade. That number is more than 10% greater than in the years 2000 through 2010. Most of these workplace injuries occur in low-wage industries such as nursing homes, hospitals, warehouses, food manufacturing, and hotels. Many also occur in the construction industry, which tends to hire inexperienced workers for low wages. Across New York, immigrants hold more than 30% of all jobs in these industries.
A report from the National Employment Law Project (NELP) that came out earlier this year found that the injury rate per 100 full-time warehouse workers in New York had more than doubled from 2017 to 2022, from 3.6 to 8.8 For 2022, the warehouse injury rate was one injury for every 11 workers.
This is concerning given the 120% increase in New York’s warehouse workforce over that same period. The rapid rise in warehouse injuries has come in a period when large retailers such as Amazon have opened large facilities in New York. In fact, a survey of Amazon workers from across the country found that more than 40% reported experiencing on-the-job injuries. Almost 70% needed to take unpaid time off due to pain or exhaustion. The most common warehouse injuries include sprains and lower back injuries.
But construction jobs are even more dangerous. In 2022, there were 24 construction worker fatalities in New York City, which is an increase from 20 fatalities the year before. Hispanic workers experienced a disproportionate percentage of New York’s construction fatalities. Generally, immigrant workers pay a high price for employers who willfully violate safety and health regulations. Immigrant workers are less likely to report safety violations out of fear of retaliation.
Workplace health and safety has increased in other industries as well. From 2018 to 2022, nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses more than doubled in New York hospitals. In nursing homes, it increased by 94%.
Contact Us for More Information About Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Going to work is not always safe. Many New Yorkers suffer serious injuries and even fatalities in workplace accidents.
Involved in a workplace accident? Claim denied? Contact a White Plains workers’ compensation lawyer from The Law Office of Michael Lawrence Varon. Even if your claim is not denied, it may be helpful to speak with us to better understand your rights and the benefits. To schedule a consultation, call (914) 228-1770 or fill out the online form.
Source:
centernyc.org/urban-matters-2/why-are-workplace-injuries-and-fatalities-on-the-rise-in-new-york
