Statistics show that older workers are more likely to suffer certain types of workplace injuries.
Americans are living — and working — longer than ever. While increased life expectancy is surely a good thing, there are some downsides to people working well into their 60’s. This may include the increased risk of on-the-job injuries for people over a certain age, and the length of time that a worker needs to recover from an injury.
According the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers age 55 and older will compromise just under 25 percent of the American workforce by 2024. This means that a significant portion of our nation’s employees will be far more vulnerable to workplace injuries, according to studies of on-the-job accidents. Some estimates find that nearly one-third of fatal workplace falls involve workers over the age of 65, and the risk of fatal falls grow as workers grow older.
Studies also show that older workers tend to suffer injuries to their knees, shoulders, back, and trunk, which may be harder to recover from than other types of injuries. It may take significantly longer for older workers to return to work after an accident of any type as opposed to a younger employee.
Employees in their 60’s need to practice good workplace safety in order to avoid injuries and accidents. However, if they are injured on the job, having a skilled workers’ compensation attorney is critical to making sure that they get the benefits that they deserve.
Workers compensation is an insurance system. Employers pay in, and employees can make claims if they suffer a work-related accident, injury, or illness. The system is built to be no-fault, which means that — with a few exceptions, such as if you were committing a crime when the injury occurred — you will be covered no matter what. There are different benefits available to injured workers depending on the state that they live in and the severity of their injuries, but as a general rule, they will likely be eligible for medical treatment, lost wages, and may also be eligible for disability payments and job retraining.
If you have been hurt in any type of on-the-job accident, you will need an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to represent you. Your employer will be represented by its insurance company, which may include an attorney. While they will pay benefits, they may attempt to minimize the amount of benefits paid. At the Law Offices of Larry H. Parker, we help injured workers get the compensation they deserve for the injuries they suffered at work. We work hand-in-hand with our clients throughout the process, giving them peace of mind in knowing that their case is being handled properly and that they are receiving the best possible representation. Initial consultations are always free, and we never charge a fee unless we get money for you. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation at 800-333-0000 or info@larryhparker.com.
