Unfortunately, the agricultural industry is one of the most dangerous industries for workers in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Farmers are at very high risk for fatal and nonfatal injuries; and farming is one of the few industries in which family members (who often share the work and live on the premises) are also at risk for fatal and nonfatal injuries.”
Read on to learn more about fatalities in the agricultural industry.
Agricultural Industry Fatalities
A total of 410 farmers and farmworkers lost their lives in 2019 as a result of a work-related injury. This resulted in a fatality rate of 19.4 fatalities per every 100,000 laborers. For these workers, the leading cause of death was attributed to transportation accidents, including tractor overturns.
The CDC recommends that tractors are fitted with Roll-Over Protective Structures (ROPS) that feature a seatbelt. During 2014, a total of 62% of tractors utilized on United States farms featured ROPS. If all tractors manufactured since the mid-1960s were fitted with ROPS, over 80% of tractors on U.S. farms would be ROPS-equipped.
Agricultural Industry Injuries
About 100 farmworkers in the U.S. sustain a lost-work-time injury each day. In addition, during 2014, it is estimated that around 12,000 youth were hurt on farms. Of these youths, at least 4,000 of these injuries occurred as a result of farmwork.
We Can Help Injured Agricultural Workers
If you’ve experienced an injury or illness due to your work on the farm, you may be eligible for compensation for your losses. Don’t delay—reach out to our office right away with any questions you may have about your case and the legal process.
Contact Rancaño & Rancaño, APLC today by calling (916) 884-6554 or by filling out the online contact form with the details of your case to learn more about how we can help you.
