It isn’t uncommon for large companies in California and across the nation to ignore or overlook worker safety. This is because it’s often cheaper to pay a fine rather than the costs associated with implementing workplace safety protocols. In fact, research suggests that companies may help to secure their own survival by spending less on safety initiatives. A study led by a professor at the University of Oregon State found looked at the survival rates of 100,000 businesses based in Oregon.
It found that companies that had disabling injury claims were 56% more likely to survive than organizations that didn’t have such claims. Disabling injury claims occur when an employee misses three or more days of work after getting hurt on the job. Disabling claims may also involve employees who are expected to experience a permanent disability as a result of their workplace injuries.
The study found that newer companies implemented safety programs because they couldn’t necessarily afford the costs associated with such claims. It also found that companies that had fewer than 100 employees were less likely to be able to afford the cost of injury claims. Despite what the data indicates, the research team behind the study said that companies were not intentionally putting their workers in harm’s way.
Those who work in high-risk occupations, such as manufacturing or construction jobs, may be more likely to experience neck, head or other types of injuries. Generally speaking, injured workers are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. If an injury is caused by gross negligence, it may be possible to file a personal injury lawsuit. An attorney could help an injured worker learn more about filing for benefits or compel an insurance company to process an application in a timely manner.