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Many people travel to work with a mundane routine in mind. However, there are several dangerous jobs that have a much higher risk of fatality. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported over 5,000 work-related injuries. Most work-related deaths occur in a general group of dangerous careers to earn a living. Regardless of the utmost safety measures required in each field, fatalities still occur because of several uncontrollable factors surrounding high-risk careers.
Commercial Fishing
The number one most dangerous
The family of a fisherman that passed on the job does have a remedy within the law. The family can be entitled to damages related to federal maritime law. Furthermore, a family can collect damages based on The Death of the High Seas Act if the commercial fisherman was killed because of the negligence of the employer’s vessel determined to be non-seaworthy. High seas are defined as 3 nautical miles off the coast.
The Death of the High Seas Act provides damages to the family limited to the lost wages that the death of the fisherman caused the family which is typically based on the current earnings and life expectancy of the deceased fisherman. A lawsuit must be brought forth within 3 years of the incident.
Logging
Logging qualifies as another high-risk occupation. Several factors such as high altitude, heavy machinery, and working with large, movable objects all contribute to a high number of deaths. Loggers often work in isolated areas lifting heavy items without medical attention nearby. Loggers have a 27% greater incidence of death within their occupation and 100-150 deaths occur in the logging industry each year. The average salary for loggers is approximately $32,870 per year.
OSHA standards strictly regulate the logging industry. That’s why you will find that employers in this area of work will require their employees to be OSHA 30 certified before allowing them to start work. This is because any logging death will be fully investigated to ensure that the logging operation abides by all OSHA standards and regulations. Family members of the death of a loved one have a right to make a formal complaint against the logging company and OSHA due to negligence. Monetary reimbursement for lost and future wages is obtainable, depending on the outcome of the investigation.
Mining
Mining stands as a perilous occupation, known for its significant and high-profile accidents resulting in substantial location damage and multiple fatalities. The presence of heavy machinery, explosive materials, and limited exits further compounds the risks involved.
In mining and other hazardous occupations, it is typically mandated by law for companies, regardless of their size, to provide the surviving spouse with a lifetime annuity. Specific conditions govern the annuity amount, which may be influenced by the timing of the employee’s death.
If an employee passes away before retirement, the surviving spouse may be eligible for an annuity based on the employee’s age and years of service towards retirement benefits. The annuity amount is determined by the pension size they would have received if they had chosen early retirement. Additionally, hazardous occupations often provide death benefits alongside annuities. Both pension plans and death benefits are governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
Common hazardous occupations include airline pilots, farmers, ranchers, roofers, and truck drivers. Thankfully, there are laws in place to support the families of deceased workers in the majority of cases. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics is an excellent resource for finding more information and remedies.
