In Springfield, Massachusetts, there were more than 345,300 civil workers as of July 2014. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that an estimated 320,200 of these workers were employed and the remainder were looking for work. The largest number of civil workers in the Springfield area were employed in the field of education and health services. There were also 58,700 workers in the trade, transportation and utilities field and 29,800 workers in the leisure and hospitality industry, which were other top fields.
While traditionally the most dangerous industries for employees include manufacturing and construction, any job can be dangerous. The health services field, for example, reported more injuries and illness cases than any other private industry sector. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) indicates that there were 653,900 cases of workplace injury in this sector nationwide.
Springfield’s large number of workers in this sector are in danger of getting injured, but any worker in the Springfield, MA area could potentially be injured or even killed while performing work duties. A Springfield workers’ compensation attorney at the Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers can help these victims of workplace injuries as well as their families. Call today to learn more.
Springfield Workers at Risk of InjuriesSpringfield, Massachusetts is located in Western New England and is the county seat of Hampden County. Bordered by West Springfield, Agawam, Chicopee and Longmeadow, Springfield is the largest city in Western New England and the third largest city in Massachusetts. Because of its many innovations, Springfield is known as the City of Firsts. Springfield is located just 23.9 miles from Hartford, CT and the Hartford-Springfield region is also called the Knowledge Corridor because the area has more than 32 universities and liberal arts colleges.
Unfortunately, new and inexperienced workers graduating from colleges are among the many who could be injured in workplace accidents in the Springfield area. The Institute for Work & Health conducted a decades-long study and determined that a “higher injury rate among new workers is a persistent problem.” The risk is highest in the first month on the job, in large part because of inadequate safety training and a lack of job experience. The increasing reliance on temporary workers has only made things worse and elevated the risk of workplace injuries in the Springfield area.
Springfield Workers Have Legal RightsBoth new and seasoned employees have a right to a safe workplace. Unfortunately, employers do not always follow regulations intended to protect employees on-the-job. For example, in recent years, a Springfield demolition contractor was fined $164,400 by OSHA for safety violations causing the death of one worker and seriously injuring another. The incident occurred when a portion of a damaged building was not properly braced and workers were not provided with required fall protection while working on a roof.
Regardless of whether an employer is negligent or is in full compliance with OSHA, workers have the right to make a workers’ compensation claim any time they are hurt on the job. Workers should notify their employers of injury to receive benefits including payment of medical bills as well as disability income. If there is a dispute over benefits, Employee Claim - Form 110 may be filed with the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA) so a Conciliation may be scheduled. DIA offices in Springfield, MA have jurisdiction over workplace injury claims for employees hurt in the city of Springfield surrounding areas including:
An experienced legal team can provide assistance to clients with initial workers’ compensation claims or in securing workplace injury benefits.
Schedule your free consultation with a Springfield workers’ compensation lawyer at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers. Call (617) 777-7777 or contact us online.