April 15, 2013
Construction accidents are one of the most common reasons for an individual to apply for Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Colorado. The sheer volume of claims generated by the industry leaves many wondering if age contributes to the chances of a worker being injured or killed while on-the-job.
An article in the Engineering News-Record claimed research showed that while older workers are less likely than younger employees to be involved in workplace accidents, they are more likely to die if they are involved in such an incident. The construction industry as a whole saw a rise in serious workplace accidents between 2011 and 2012. The highest increases were among workers who were 50 to 54-years-old. This age demographic saw a roughly 20 percent increase while accident rates among 25 to 29-year-old workers actually dropped.
While older workers are less likely to be the victims of on-the-job accidents, researchers concluded they present a greater liability to employers. The costs associated with older worker’s injuries tended to be much higher than that of younger workers. Older employees also required longer recovery and rehabilitation times.
Older workers may be more prone to develop chronic musculoskeletal disorders over time as well.
The McDivitt Law Firm recognizes how devastating a work-related injury can be. Their team of Colorado Personal Injury Lawyers may be able to help if a person has been hurt in an on-the-job accident that occurred at no fault of their own.
