In Fitchburg, Leominster and Gardner, Massachusetts, there were a total of 71,700 people in the civilian workforce in July 2014, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Mining, logging and construction provided employment for 15,800 people, which made this sector the field with the most employees in Fitchburg. In the trade, transportation and utilities sector, there were 9,800 workers. Although this is significantly fewer than the number of employees in construction, trade and transportation is the second largest employment sector in Fitchburg.
Workers in these fields, as well as in other jobs in the Fitchburg area, are at risk of serious injury or even death. Unfortunately, workplace accidents and exposure to hazards can happen to any employee. When you get sick or hurt because of your job, you have legal rights. A Fitchburg, MA workers’ compensation attorney at the Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers should be consulted for help making a work injury claim.
Fitchburg, MA Workers Face RisksFitchburg, with a population of 40,318, was the third largest city in Worcester County, as of the 2010 Census. Fitchburg is the home of Fitchburg State University, and is situated along the Nashua River. The total area of the city is 28.1 square miles and it is bordered by Ashby, Lunenburg, Leominster, and Westminster.
Fitchburg was known for its paper industry throughout much of the early 20th century. The economy has evolved, but there are some long-time businesses in Fitchburg that have been located on Main Street for decades. Fitchburg is also home to the Great Wolf Lodge New England, a $70 million project expected to create 400 new permanent jobs.
Mining, logging and construction provide jobs for the majority of Fitchburg workers and these jobs are dangerous professions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a total of 154 workers were killed in the mining industry over the course of 2013. In the trade, transportation and utilities sector, there were 1,153 fatal work injuries. In the construction industry, 796 workers were killed.
Workplace deaths often occur because employers have failed to follow safety regulations. For example, one Fitchburg, Massachusetts manufacturer was cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for willful and serious violations of safety laws. A limit switch on machinery had been duct-taped in the on position so the switch was over-ridden. As a result, a worker became trapped in the moving parts of a laminating machine and injured his hand. The company’s disabling of the switch was willful, which is the most serious category of OSHA citation.
Fitchburg, MA Workers Have RightsWhen a workplace accident happens, a worker needs to report the injury to his employer as soon as possible and seek medical treatment. There is no need for a worker to prove negligence was the cause of his work injury to make a workers’ compensation claim, unlike a personal injury claim. Workers’ compensation benefits in Massachusetts are available to any employee hurt or made sick by work tasks, regardless of whether an employer was to blame or if the incident was caused by the worker’s own actions. An experienced legal team can help to make a work injury claim and to resolve benefits disputes or appeal denials.
Schedule your free consultation with a Fitchburg workers’ compensation lawyer at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers. Call (617) 777-7777 or contact us online.