Equality in the workforce is crucial. However, men and women suffer differently when it comes to workplace accidents. The injury patterns for men and women vary greatly depending on gender, industry, and even social perceptions. Do these differences impact workers’ compensation claims?
At Ryan Bisher Ryan and Simons, we want to dive into what makes men’s and women’s claims unique. We believe that when you understand what makes cases different, you can deliver more personalized legal advice and maximize results. To learn more about the differences and how they affect your claim, contact us for a free consultation with a skilled workers’ compensation lawyer.
Statistics About Male-Dominated Industries
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), males accounted for 64 percent of work-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms one recent year. An earlier study showed males tend to have higher rates of physical injury claims than women in the workplace. One of the reasons for this disparity may be that some male-dominated industries are inherently more physically dangerous.
Construction, logging, oil and gas, commercial fishing, roofing, and iron or steel factory work are some of the most dangerous industries in the U.S. — and they’re all male-dominated types of work. The risk for falls, slips, and accidents with objects and heavy equipment is significantly increased in these industries. These factors may be why more men than women are involved in fatal workplace accidents.
Statistics About Female-Dominated Industries
Females tend to dominate different industries than men. Statistically, more women are employed in healthcare, education, the service industry, and office jobs. While encounters with dangerous equipment may be rare in these fields, that doesn’t mean these areas can’t be hazardous in other ways.
Studies indicate that statistically, women tend to have higher rates of mental disorder claims than men. The stress of working in customer-facing sectors of the workforce may account for this difference. Mental distress is common in the healthcare industry, where medical professionals witness horrific injuries and devastating illnesses.
Office and customer-facing work are also hazardous, accounting for repetitive motion injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, sprains, strains, and fractures. Falls are common in office settings and can cause traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), fractures, and contusions.
Statistics About Workplace Death by Gender
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows men are more likely to be involved in fatal roadway collisions and accidents with objects and heavy equipment or machinery. The higher rate of male workplace deaths in these areas may partly be due to male-dominated careers being more physically demanding. Men are slightly more likely to be involved in slip-and-fall accidents. But women are also at risk of dying from falls since falls can occur anywhere.
Women tend to suffer more workplace fatalities than men from exposure to harmful substances and environments. While this may seem strange, some women working in the beauty industry are exposed to chemicals like formaldehyde and acrylates almost daily.
Likewise, healthcare workers may also encounter harmful chemicals or exposure to radiation. Unfortunately, being in customer-facing roles like hospitality, education, and customer service, women are more likely to die from violence in the workplace. The number of homicide victims in the workplace skews heavily toward women.
Common Workplace Injuries by Industry
Although a workplace accident can happen anywhere and anytime, certain injury patterns tend to be more common in certain industries. Injuries most common in the construction, oil and gas, agriculture, trucking, and steel industries tend to include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Amputation
- Paralysis
- Crushing injuries
- Fractured bones
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Thermal and chemical burns
- Contusions
Injuries that are more likely to be seen in office settings, healthcare, education, and the hospitality industry include the following:
- Concussions
- Neck and spine injuries
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Fractured bones
- Chemical exposure
- Mental health disorders
The Correlation Between the Types of Workplace Injury Claims, Gender, and Industries
There is some correlation between the types of workplace injuries men and women encounter and their work industry. More men work in construction than women. So workplace accidents in the construction industry will skew more toward men because men make up a more significant portion of the construction industry’s overall workforce. However, social differences between men and women may also contribute to workplace injury statistics.
Some studies indicate men are much more reluctant to discuss mental health issues caused by the workplace. Males are generally more willing to report suffering a physical injury rather than talking about a mental one. However, the opposite may be true for females. Some females have a higher pain tolerance and will be reluctant to seek treatment for physical injuries such as repetitive motion injuries.
Hard and fast statistics are easy to work with and visualize. Unfortunately, workers’ compensation statistics don’t always tell the whole story. Social and environmental factors have long influenced what the American workforce looks like and how it functions. Some industries are diverse and make coming forward with a workplace-related injury easy, while others make the process challenging. Although we can examine trends in male and female-dominated careers, a wide variety of factors make painting workers’ compensation cases with a wide brush difficult.
What to Do If You Are Injured at Work
No matter who you are, you should never feel intimidated about reporting a legitimate workplace injury. Too often, workers fear for their jobs and livelihood after a workplace injury and may be reluctant to file a claim. If you are injured on the job in Oklahoma, you may be entitled to receive compensation for a portion of your lost wages and medical expenses.
If you are hurt at work, report the accident and seek immediate medical attention. Although you should report the injury to your supervisor as soon as possible, you are required to report the event and seek medical treatment within 30 days.
After a workplace injury, it is also wise to hire legal counsel to represent you and protect your rights. An attorney can help you keep track of your medical expenses and negotiate for the maximum benefits you’re entitled to because of your injuries.
Contact the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Ryan Bisher Ryan and Simons to File a Claim
Need help filing a workers’ compensation claim in Oklahoma? Turn to the experienced team at Ryan Bisher Ryan and Simons for help. We give you the one-on-one attention your case deserves.
To discuss your workers’ compensation claim, contact our office today to set up a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable team members.
We are Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons, a legal firm that, for decades, has been fighting for the rights of hardworking Oklahoma residents. Our mission is to hold the powerful accountable.
