Stats for fatal workplace injuries in Iowa are not out yet for 2015, as the year just came to a close, but it is possible to look at the statistics for 2014. This can shed some light on how often the accidents occur, how they happen, and where they take place.
First off, take a look at the big picture. In the entire year, there were 90 deadly injuries in the state. That means that they were up 18 from 2013. However, a look back over the years shows that these numbers do tend to jump up and down a bit. The highest that was ever recorded was in 1992, when there were 110 deaths. The lowest ever was just three years later, in 1995, when there were only 54 deaths.
Three main categories dominated in terms of how the accidents happened, making up for 80 percent of the total. The first category was transportation incidents, which led to 32 deaths. After that came slip and fall accidents, with 25 deaths. Third in line were accidents where workers came in contact with equipment and other objects, leading to 19 deaths.
Some of the trends in Iowa mirror the trends across the United States. For example, on a national scale, around 40 percent of workers who die pass away in transportation accidents. In Iowa, the percentage was only slightly lower, at 36. Still, that was the leading cause both at the state and the national level.
Have you lost a loved one in an accident on the job? If so, you may be able to seek compensation.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Fatal Work Injuries in Iowa — 2014,” accessed Jan. 06, 2016