Why Is Waste Management Such a Dangerous Industry in Chicago?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, waste and recycling is one of the most dangerous industries in the country, with almost 42 fatalities per 100,000 employees. This makes waste management the fourth-deadliest job in the United States. If you work in this field, you are probably well aware of the potential hazards involved. Why is this industry so dangerous, and what can you do after a serious workplace accident in Chicago?

Garbage Truck Workers Are Often Run Over by Their Own Vehicles 

A common type of accident in the waste management industry involves workers being run over by garbage trucks. This may occur when workers fall off garbage trucks and go under the wheels. Workers may also suffer crush injuries when garbage trucks reverse suddenly and without much warning. This type of injury is common in waste management facilities where workers on foot operate in close proximity to dump trucks and other heavy vehicles.

These types of injuries can cause multiple fractures, crushed organs, nerve damage, muscle damage, and amputations. Of course, these accidents can also be fatal – and those who survive being run over by garbage trucks are lucky to be alive.

Waste Workers May Become Injured After Exposure to Hazardous Materials 

It is impossible to predict the substances that a garbage worker might come into contact with. Some of these substances are incredibly dangerous, such as toxic or biohazardous materials. Garbage might also include sharp objects such as glass or metal fragments. Asbestos is another major concern, and waste workers could develop terminal conditions years after coming into contact with certain substances.

Garbage Trucks Often Crash 

Like any other vehicle, a garbage truck can easily crash. This endangers not just the driver, but also other workers riding as passengers. Garbage trucks often operate in residential neighborhoods, and they may travel down narrow lanes. In these tight areas, there are plenty of blind spots. A single reckless driver is all it takes to cause a crash, and this can lead to serious injuries for everyone on the garbage truck.

Note that if a reckless driver caused your garbage truck crash, you may be able to file a personal injury claim instead of (or in addition to) a workers’ comp claim. This could be advantageous, as it would provide more compensation for missed income and additional compensation for non-economic damages. Contact your personal injury attorney to learn more about this possibility.

Can a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Chicago Help Waste Management Workers? 

A workers’ compensation lawyer in Chicago may be able to help waste management employees. If you have experienced a serious injury at work, you have every right to seek compensation for missed earnings and medical expenses. If you have lost a loved one due to a fatal waste management accident, you can pursue death benefits with help from a lawyer. To learn more about these options, contact Connolly Injury Law today.

Sources:

 wastedive.com/news/waste-recycling-worker-fatality-rate-2024/735975/#:~:text=The%20fatality%20rate%20for%20refuse,41.4%20fatalities%20per%20100%2C000%20employees.

swana.org/news/swana-news-archive/article/2022/12/16/refuse-and-recyclable-materials-collection-now-seventh-deadliest-job-in-united-states