Texas Workplace Injuries Statistics [2024 Updated]

When it comes to Texas workplace injuries statistics, certain industries are more dangerous than others. In comparison to other states, Texas’s workplace injury numbers are high. If you’ve been injured at work, you can file a claim to cover your losses. A qualified workplace injury lawyer can help determine if you’re receiving enough compensation to cover the full extent of damages from your workplace injury and assist you through the entire process.

Workplace Injury Laws in Texas

In the state of Texas, employers are not required by law to have workers’ compensation insurance. However, since all employers are mandated to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act, even if your workplace doesn’t carry worker injury insurance, you can still seek compensation by filing a claim. An attorney well-versed in this specific area of the law will be able to guide you through the multiple legal options you’ll likely be faced with.

Regardless of your employer’s insurance status, it is always advised to report any injuries you sustained on the job immediately and visit a physician who’s trained in evaluating and rating work-related injuries. If your employer is insured, they are required to provide all injured employees with the relevant material needed to file a claim; doing this will most likely forfeit your ability to file a personal injury claim against your employer.

If filing a workers’ compensation claim is unavailable to you, or if a third party was responsible for your workplace injury outside of the work setting, you may have sufficient grounds to pursue compensation through a personal injury filing.

What Are Common Injuries That Occur in the Workplace?

The injuries or illnesses that are likely to occur within your workplace may vary depending on the industry and your specific role. Here are some widely reported workplace incidents and resulting injuries that are generally common across all professions:

• Falls – The majority of work-related injuries nationwide are caused by falls. The bodily harm sustained following a fall is greatly dependent on the height from which it occurred and the surroundings where the victim fell. Injury severity and location can vary, but serious wounds, such as brain or spinal cord damage and broken bones, can potentially occur from any fall.
• Falling objects – There’s a reason utility and construction workers wear hard hats: objects falling and striking a victim below can result in devastating injuries. These accidents are possible in numerous lines of work. Head injuries have the potential to cause traumatic brain damage and other life-altering conditions.
• Motor vehicle accidents – Your job or one of your workplace duties may consist of driving or operating certain vehicles, which naturally always pose the risk of incident and injury. Accidents suffered during the commute to or from work do not qualify as a specific workplace injury.
• Work-related illnesses or repetitive stress injuries – Certain professions leave employees susceptible to long-term harm that manifests over time. It’s possible to gradually develop an illness or medical condition due to the effects of the environment, as well as repetitive stress injuries from daily physical labor.

Statistics for Workplace Injuries in Texas

Annual reports consistently find Texas to be one of the states with the highest numbers of occupational fatalities. In 2022, 178,800 incidents of nonfatal injuries or illnesses occurred in private industry workplaces. This number translates to an incident rate of 1.9 per 100 full-time workers in the state, which was lower than any rate since 2012.

Transportation and warehousing occupations, such as delivery and taxi drivers, were found to be the industry where the most fatal workplace injury cases occur. One hundred eighty-four transportation-related occupational fatalities happened in 2022. This is followed by 141 fatal injuries sustained in the construction industry.

Falls are especially likely to happen in professions that involve working at significant heights, such as construction jobs, and professions that include a lot of foot traffic, as seen in places like stores and restaurants. Workplace negligence also contributes to the high likelihood of slip-and-fall accidents; this can include the improper identification, warning, or resolution of environmental hazards, such as not putting a “wet floor” sign near a large spill.

FAQs

Q: What Are the Statistics for Injuries at Work?

A: The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the national rate of workplace injuries increased from 2021 to 2022. There were 2,242,700 nonfatal injuries sustained by private industry workers in 2021 and 2,343,600 cases reported the following year in 2021. Texas was identified as one of the states with the largest number of fatalities to occur in the workplace, with 578 in 2022.

Q: What Is the Most Common Cause of Employee Injury?

A: The most commonly reported causes of employee injury in the workplace are accidents that include falling or slipping/tripping. Some professions are more at risk for this type of workplace accident, such as construction, since the occupation often involves job duties conducted at great heights. Falling from taller heights is more likely to inflict serious injuries on the victim. Work environments with a lot of foot traffic are also likely to see injuries resulting from a fall.

Q: Which Industry Has the Highest Rate of Workplace Injuries?

A: The industries with the highest rates of nonfatal workplace injuries in Texas are transportation and warehousing, followed by the arts, entertainment, and recreation. In the arts, entertainment, and recreation, workplace injuries increased from 2021 to 2022.

Construction is the industry with the second-highest number of fatal injuries, after transportation and warehousing. This industry poses significant risks to workers, such as faulty equipment and falling from great heights. Mining, oil, and gas industry operations put workers at high risk for occupational hazards, especially those involving harmful chemicals and carcinogens.

Q: What Is the Most Reported Workplace Injury?

A: The most widely reported workplace injuries are those that result from slipping/tripping and falling accidents. These dangerous work incidents have the potential to cause serious, life-altering, or life-threatening injuries. Possible bodily injuries include bone fractures and dislocated joints. Traumatic head/brain injuries and spinal cord damage are other potential physical risks that slip and falls pose to workers.

If Your Profession or Workplace Negligence Left You Injured, Speak With an Attorney

If you sustained bodily harm while at work, consult with a workplace incident lawyer to discuss all the options available to you. Skilled legal counsel can advise you on how to acquire compensation to the fullest extent possible for the damages suffered and ensure you are not taken advantage of. Schedule a meeting with us at Stevenson & Murray today to ensure your rights will be protected and your case is in capable hands.