Kentucky Safe Reduces Workplace Injuries

The Bowling Green Daily News ran a story in January covering Kentucky’s workplace injuries rate.  Specifically, Kentucky achieved a record low rate of 3.4 per 100 full-time employees, for nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses.  This report is based on 2016 records.  This is the most current year published.

However, the same report shows that our state is still above the national average.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nationally, the rate is 2.9 per 100, for 2016.

Kentucky Safe is a program that was implemented by the Labor Cabinet’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health Education and Training.  The objective of the program is to educate Kentucky employers and workers about various issues related to workplace safety.

The news story included a figure of 1.9 million people working in the state of Kentucky.  Based on that number, the 2016 injury rate (3.4%) would mean that there were almost 65,000 workplace injuries that year.  This is the real number that should matter.

Almost 65,000 people sustained injuries (or illnesses) based on something that happened at work.  Many of these individuals would qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.  As an experienced Kentucky workers’ comp attorney, I’ve dealt with all types of injuries sustained on the job.

Over the years, I’ve handled cases involving:

• Workplace fatalities
• Severe head trauma, often leading to brain damage
• Nerve damage, including Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
• Amputations and crush-injuries
• Broken bones
• And hundreds of other workplace injuries.

While Kentucky seems to be making progress, there are still thousands of individual and their families being affected by situations causing someone to get hurt on the job.

The good news is, the Kentucky Workers’ Compensation system exists to help out.  An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer understands the complexities of the system and how best to present the evidence.  That knowledge will be important if you ever need to file for workers’ comp benefits.  It may be your only shot at getting the care you need and being able to pay your bills.

Link to the Bowling Green Daily News story:  http://www.bgdailynews.com/news/kentucky-s-workplace-injury-rate-continues-to-drop/article_74a2cb8a-2bfb-5d9f-84f6-969701b07879.html