While any job can lead to a work-related injury or illness, some types of jobs are especially dangerous. For example, you can develop a repetitive stress injury in an office but are much less likely to suffer a life-threatening accident compared with workers in certain other industries like coal mining.
According to the National Safety Council, the U.S. industries with the most worker deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2021 were:
- Agriculture (18.9)
- Mining (14.5)
- Transportation and warehousing (13.3)
- Construction (9.0)
- Wholesale trade (4.3)
The dangers of mining are nothing new to West Virginians. Our state is the second-highest producer of coal in the nation and still employs thousands of people. Tragically, mine disasters still happen that kill workers trapped inside. More common are nonfatal incidents like slip-and-fall accidents, crush injuries and those requiring amputation. Then there are the deadly diseases associated with coal mining for many years, such as black lung.
Other risky jobs in West Virginia
But mining is not the only dangerous industry in West Virginia. Logging, which would likely fit under “agriculture” in the NSC study, also exposes workers to a serious risk of disability and death. So do trucking, warehouse work and construction. When an accident happens in one of these industries, chances are good that somebody will get badly injured. Of course, you can also develop a painful and limiting disability from years of physically demanding labor.
A personal injury attorney skilled in handling catastrophic workplace injuries could be the answer to help you afford your medical care and other expenses while you are unable to work and earn an income.