Who’s Suffering Wrongful Death in the Colorado Workplace?

The unemployment rate is down, and the number of wrongful deaths in the workplace is on the decline. While there are plenty of reasons to celebrate, it is too early to uncork the champagne. The reality is that even one wrongful death in the workplace is significant, and Coloradans are still dying for merely performing their jobs.

At most considerable risk are those who work in construction, mining, and the oil and gas industry. These dangerous jobs continue to cause the overwhelming majority of workplace deaths in Colorado.

Wrongful Death in the Workplace Declines

The number of wrongful deaths in Colorado declined between 2016 and 2017. In 2017, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment recorded 77 workplace fatalities. This figure represented a 5% decrease from the 81 deaths recorded in 2016. Similarly, the fatality rate decreased .2% to 2.8 per 100,000 workers from 3 per 100,000 full-time workers that the state recorded in 2016.

Causes of Wrongful Death in Colorado

Motor vehicle accidents remain the leading cause of workplace fatalities in Colorado. In 2017, nearly 50% of all workplace fatalities in the state involved motor vehicle accidents.

Fourteen workers died as a result of slips, trips, or falls, while a total of 11 fatalities involved workplace violence or injuries caused by animals. Eight were caused by contact with equipment or objects. A total of 19 workers were engaged in trade, transportation, or utilities. Ten workers were involved in the mining of natural resources.

Concerns for Construction Workers

The number of construction workers suffering a wrongful death in the workplace increased from 12 in 2016 to 19 in 2017. This was a 58% increase and ran counter to the national downward trend of fatalities in the construction industry.

In 2017, construction workers suffered 24% of workplace fatalities in Colorado, which was less than the rate of 20.8% recorded nationwide over the same period. However, the sharp increase does highlight the importance of enhanced safety training and oversight within Colorado’s construction industry.

Contact Sloat, Nicholson, & Hoover, P.C. at (303) 447-1144 for more information about wrongful death in the workplace. It’s our pleasure to help survivors recover the compensation that can help you move forward following the loss of a loved one.