Data is an essential tool in understanding the dangers that worker’s find themselves in when they head to the job site. The number of Connecticut workers’ compensation claims could be minimized by knowing some of the overarching statistics surrounding nonfatal injuries and illnesses on a broad scale.
In 2020, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that there were 2.7 million nonfatal injuries or illnesses in the workplace. This represented a 5.7% decrease in the number over the previous year.
These numbers can directly relate back to the start of the pandemic and the fact that many employees were not on the job in the early part of the year. In fact, there were 600,000 LESS workplace injuries in 2020 then there were in 2019 as private employers reported 2.1 million injuries in 2020 and 2.7 million injuries in 2019. The rate of injury also declined significantly going from 2.6 cases per 100 full time equivalent employees (FTE) to 2.2 per 100 FTE in 2020.
That is a large decline and would signal a huge decrease in the overall numbers, however, the number of respiratory illnesses that were reported by private employers went up dramatically from 127,200 illnesses in 2019 to a whopping 544,600 illnesses in 2020. This is a staggering 4,000% increase between the two years. The illness rate also dramatically increased between 2019 and 2020 going from 12.4 reported illnesses per 10,000 FTE to 55.9 per 10,000 FTE in 2020.
The number of illnesses reported can be directly tied to the COVID-19 pandemic and this number should return back to normal once the pandemic subsides, but it did have a dramatic impact on productivity and workplace stability in 2020. While numbers have not been reported out from 2021 yet, it is likely that this trend will continue in 2021 as well and may even be a factor moving forward in 2022.
Knowing these numbers is important for workers to have a clearer picture of the dangers that are associated with going to a job site each and every day. If you experience an injury or illness while on the job you have the right to report that illness or injury and to take the necessary time away from your work without penalty. That is why if you are injured or get sick on the job you should file a Connecticut workers’ compensation claim immediately and in the process notify your supervisor about what is going on so that she/he can file the appropriate paperwork.
If you get sick or injured at work you may need a board certified attorney to review your case and work with you to make sure your long-term interests are protected. Contact our office and one of our attorneys will speak with you about your options.
