The 2015 Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation and Workplace Safety Annual Report – Work Injuries By Industry, Part 3

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recently released the 2015 Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation and Workplace Safety Annual Report (the “Report”). This blog summarizes the Report’s data on work injuries and their occurrence by industry. Because federal employees, maritime workers, and railroad workers in interstate commerce are covered under their respective federal workers’ compensation programs, their injuries and illnesses are not included in the statistics of the Report.

*The predominant injury type, injury cause, and affected body part in the educational and health services industry and public administration industry is a sprain or strain to the upper extremities caused by overexertion.

*The predominant injury type, injury cause, and affected body part of the leisure and hospitality industry, as well as “other” miscellaneous industries is a sprain or strain to the upper extremities as a result of being struck by a flying or falling object.

Educational & Health Services: 45,221 Injuries

• Most frequent type of injury: sprains and strains: 18,374 injuries, 40.6%.
• Body part affected most often: upper extremities: 15,419 injuries, 34.1%.
• Most frequent cause of injury: overexertion: 11,520 injuries, 25.5%.
• Median age of injured workers: 44.3.
• County with the most injured workers: Philadelphia.
• Lackawanna County: 1,026 injuries
• Luzerne County: 798 injuries
• Wayne County: 38 injuries
• Wyoming County: 13 injuries

Leisure & Hospitality Services: 11,470 Injuries

• Most frequent type of injury: sprains and strains: 3,205 injuries, 27.9%.
• Body part affected most often: upper extremities: 5,385 injuries, 46.9%.
• Most frequent cause of injury: struck by: 2,491 injuries, 21.7%.
• Median age of injured workers: 32.0.
• County with the most injured workers: Allegheny.
• Lackawanna County: 146 injuries
• Luzerne County: 212 injuries
• Wayne County: 43 injuries
• Wyoming County: 3 injuries

Other Services: 3,985 Injuries

• Most frequent type of injury: sprains and strains: 1,220 injuries, 30.6%.
• Body part affected most often: upper extremities: 1,461 injuries, 36.7%.
• Most frequent cause of injury: struck by: 828 injuries, 20.8%.
• Median age of injured workers: 41.4.
• County with the most injured workers: Philadelphia.
• Lackawanna County: 63 injuries
• Luzerne County: 87 injuries
• Wayne County: 12 injuries
• Wyoming County: 4 injuries

Public Administration: 11,673 Injuries

• Most frequent type of injury: sprains and strains: 4,491 injuries, 38.5%.
• Body part affected most often: upper extremities: 3,899 injuries, 33.4%.
• Most frequent cause of injury: overexertion: 2,450 injuries, 21.0%.
• Median age of injured workers: 42.4.
• County with the most injured workers: Philadelphia.
• Lackawanna County: 200 injuries
• Luzerne County: 131 injuries
• Wayne County: 36 injuries
• Wyoming County: 15 injuries

Accidents happen in the workplace. Other circumstances may also arise in the workplace causing worker injury. For 110 years, Powell Law has litigated Pennsylvania workers compensation actions and obtained benefits for injured Pennsylvania workers. At Powell Law, we effectively assist clients throughout the entire workers’ compensation claims process. Consult an experienced Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorney. Contact Powell Law at (570) 961-0777. The consultation is FREE!