The Number of Workplace Injuries in 2022 Increased from 2021

 

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released data on the number of employer-reported nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2022. 

 

This November 8 report says private industry employers reported about 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2022, a 7.5 percent increase from 2021. 

 

A deep dive into these 2022 workplace injuries and illnesses statistics shows: 

 

 

  • Both the number of reported injuries and the number of reported illnesses increased compared to 2021. 

 

  • Respiratory illnesses drove the increase in reported occupational disease cases. 

 

  • The rate of nonfatal injuries was 2.3 cases per 100 full-time employees. This number was unchanged from 2021. 

 

The BLS’s report also gave data on the two-year 2021-2022 period. 

 

During this period:

 

  • More than 2 million cases involved time missed from work. 

 

 

 

  • Fifteen days was the median length of job transfer or modified duty. 

 

  • Overexertion and bodily reaction injuries had the most cases requiring time missed from work, medical restrictions, or job accommodations. Contact with objects, slip/trip and falls, exposure to harmful substances, transportation incidents, and workplace violence also caused days away from work and restrictions. 

 

  • Environmental cases involving exposure to toxic or harmful substances resulted in time away from work in nearly every case. 

 

  • Transportation, healthcare (nurses), and construction workers have high numbers of occupational injuries. 

 

Here are my takeaways from the 2022 data:

 

  • Although the number of nonfatal workplace injuries increased, it is still lower than reported injuries pre-COVID pandemic (2018 and 2019). Whether the number of injuries continues to rise and surpass the 2018 and 2019 figures will depend on how the U.S. economy performs. A recession would likely decrease the number of jobs, causing fewer injuries. In contrast, a growing economy and workforce results in more occupational injuries. 

 

  • The number of respiratory illness cases will remain steady. These cases, however, are challenging to win because it is tough to prove a causal connection between work and an illness you can catch at home or elsewhere. Winning workers compensation benefits will be challenging unless your state’s legislature creates an evidentiary presumption for causation for your condition (such as the heart and lung bill in Virginia).  

 

  • Increased automation in the workplace (replacing employees with machines) can only cut some physical job duties that result in workplace injuries, not all. For example, nurses must still help transfer patients and care for unstable residents, construction workers must use cranes and climb ladders to complete tasks, and transportation (truck drivers) and warehouse employees (like those at UPS, Amazon, Walmart, American Airlines, United Airlines, Target, and others) must drive, use forklifts, and manage cargo. And these tasks pose a risk of harm.  

 

In addition, our law firm continues to see a rise in workplace assault and battery cases, particularly with schoolteachers and residential health aides.

 

I have three questions for you:

 

  • Are you surprised by the BLS data on workplace injuries?

 

  • What do you think the 2023 statistics will show?

 

  • What changes do you see in 2024?

 

Call (804) 251-1620 or (757) 810-5614 if you have questions about workers compensation law. Our law firm has secured millions in workers compensation settlements and personal injury damages for accident victims. 

Corey Pollard
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Category: Workers Compensation

Author: Corey Pollard

Corey Pollard is a top-rated personal injury attorney focused on recovering monetary damages for injured workers and accident victims. He has secured over $30 million for clients and published over 1,000 articles on workers' compensation, Social Security disability, and negligence law.