Shook & Stone has been representing clients who have lost loved ones to fatal workplace injuries since 1997. Our seasoned workers’ comp attorneys have decades of experience in wrongful death claims and litigation. If you have suffered the tragedy of losing a family member or a spouse, call today for a free consultation with a Las Vegas fatal workplace injury lawyer. You pay nothing unless we win.
About Las Vegas Workplace Injuries
Although Nevada is a state that is frequently associated with the tourist attractions of the famous Las Vegas Strip, many people do not realize how dangerous it is to spend time working in Nevada. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nevada has one of the highest workplace fatality rates in the country – with 15.4 fatalities for every 100,000 workers.
So, what types of fatal injuries do people suffer while working in Las Vegas? The answer is somewhat surprising because it has nothing to do with occupational hazards you may expect (such as being injured or killed by falling off tall buildings or machines). Instead, the most common cause of injury-related death on the job involves transportation accidents.
Our fatal workplace injury attorneys working in Las Vegas understand two types of transportation-related workplace fatalities: motor vehicle accidents and aviation accidents.
- We see car, truck, and bike crashes that involve employer vehicles;
- Airplane crashes caused by pilot error or mechanical failure;
- Collisions between trains and cars, trucks, pedestrians, and construction workers;
- Construction accidents
For example, bus drivers are among Las Vegas’ most vulnerable workers because they often operate large vehicles on crowded highways that also carry passengers who are not used to being on the road. Reports indicate that there were more than 250 fatal motor vehicle accidents involving a commercial bus driver in Nevada from 2010 to 2013 (189 of these crashes occurred on long-distance highways). Many of these incidents involved buses that rolled over, burst into flames, or drove off cliffs or embankments.
Clearly, employers should do everything possible to ensure the safety of their employees by providing them with adequate training, experienced drivers, and safe vehicles.
The statistics in Nevada also reveal a disturbing trend: many of these fatal bus accidents involved 18-to-24-year-olds who had little to no experience driving large vehicles on crowded highways. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration should not be approving commercial licenses for bus drivers who are so young because of the heightened risk of causing a fatal accident.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nevada had 40 fatal work injuries in 2019.
https://www.bls.gov/regions/west/news-release/fatalworkinjuries_nevada.htm
The most dangerous job in Nevada is in the transportation sector, followed by industrial work.
Dangerous Plant, Production, and Manufacturing Facilities
Dangerous work conditions can exist in manufacturing and production facilities throughout Las Vegas as well. Sadly, many employees lose their lives when they fall through floors or roofing at construction sites. Other common types of injuries that take place on the job include being strangled by equipment (such as forklifts and machinery), electrocution (from getting shocked by power lines or electrical equipment), and being burned in workplace explosions.
In addition to the physical injuries that can be fatal, workers also face the risk of serious mental health problems such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”), anxiety disorders, and suicidal thoughts. These conditions usually occur among employees who are involved in tragic accidents or fatalities, and they can accompany victims throughout their entire lives. Sometimes, this trauma leads to heart attacks, strokes, drug and alcohol abuse, and even suicide.
Nationally, the rate of PTSD is highest among those employed in transportation (people who drive buses and trucks). The second highest rate of PTSD occurs in occupations that involve law enforcement and security (police officers, private investigators, etc.). And the third highest rate of PTSD is found among people who work in education (teachers, principals, etc.).
The loss of a loved one can be devastating for any family member or friend. It would help to consult with an attorney if you have lost a family member in a fatal work accident. An attorney can explain the legal options for filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the employer or business entity that was responsible for the accident and/or death.
Our Las Vegas fatal workplace injury attorneys know how to pursue social security benefits and workers’ compensation. In addition, our lawyers are familiar with local and federal labor laws, as well as the workers’ compensation insurance system. These types of losses are not only tragic; they can be financially devastating to a family or surviving spouse who is left with the responsibility of paying for funeral expenses, medical bills, and any other financial obligations that were incurred prior to the death.
The attorneys of Shook & Stone have decades of experience in representing people who were injured on the job or experienced a family member’s fatal work accident. We have substantial knowledge about workers’ compensation insurance, social security, and personal injury laws that can help you pursue a legal claim against those responsible for your loved one’s death. If you are in need of assistance or have any questions about a wrongful death case in Las Vegas, then please call our offices or fill out an online contact form for a free consultation.
Construction Site Fatal Workplace Injury
Injuries and fatalities that take place on a construction site usually involve commercial building projects such as shopping centers, office buildings, hospitals, and apartment complexes. Commercial clients may be at fault for either not properly supervising their subcontractors, or they may be liable because the property owner did not update its safety equipment (such as not having automatic shutoff valves for gas lines).
A common cause of fatal injuries is a worker falling through the roof or floors. A construction site is full of hazards and dangers, which include loose floorboards, unsecured equipment (such as machinery), poor safety gear (gloves), and defective building materials. Oftentimes, construction workers are not adequately trained on how to use equipment and tools.
Once construction workers are hurt, they may be either unable to return back to work or may suffer from long-term disability. This is why many of the workers’ compensation claims filed with the Nevada Division of Industrial Relations occur in the construction industry.
The fatal work injury lawyers at our Las Vegas firm have extensive experience in representing construction workers who have been seriously injured on the job. If you or a family member was recently injured while performing any type of work, we encourage you to contact us so that we can assist you in obtaining financial compensation for your medical bills and lost wages during recovery.
Speak With a Las Vegas Fatal Workplace Injury Attorney
When it comes to fatal work injuries, Shook & Stone can provide you with the legal support that you and your family deserve. Call now to speak with a Las Vegas fatal workplace injury lawyer.
