The number of workers killed on the job in North Carolina nearly doubled last year compared to the year before, according to preliminary data released by the state Department of Labor on Thursday. Forty-four people died in work-related accidents last year, up from 23 in 2013. It was the highest number of workers deaths since 2011, when 53 died, according to the Labor Department.
All but one of the workers killed last year were men, and all were classified as “laborers” by the Labor Department. Their average age was nearly 44; the youngest was 20, and the oldest was 82.
The construction industry accounted for some of the increase. Nineteen workers were killed at construction sites last year, 12 more than in 2013.
Worker deaths in manufacturing increased from 4 in 2013 to 9 last year, while service industry deaths rose from 1 in 2013 to six last year.
Five of the deaths occurred in the Triangle, including a worker struck by an arm of a wheel loader in Chatham County, a worker struck by a tree in Johnston County and three construction workers who fell in separate incidents in Wake County.
Call our Cary law firm to get help fighting for the compensation you deserve and to receive a free consultation. We proudly represent injured construction workers in the NC Triangle including Cary, Apex, Morrisville, Holly Springs, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and surrounding areas. Call us at 919-297-2372.
