| One of the major motivating factors behind the | | | | as problems that exist in other people's lives. But |
| formation of labor unions in the United States was | | | | a moment of lapsed attention can render an |
| the desire to raise the standards of workplace | | | | otherwise able-bodied worker suddenly incapable |
| safety and the quality of life of employees. The | | | | of performing the tasks for which he or she has |
| rise of industrialization dramatically expanded the | | | | been trained. In some cases these injuries may |
| number of dangerous implements and machines | | | | inflict a person with lifelong disabilities, and the |
| and placed workers in a variety of hazardous | | | | emotional effects of losing an important part of |
| occupations that simply did not exist before. | | | | one's identity can take a toll not only on his or her |
| Though significant improvements have certainly | | | | self-esteem but also on interpersonal relationships. |
| been made over the past century, there are still | | | | In Iowa during 2008 there were nearly 75,000 |
| an alarming number of workplace accidents and | | | | reportable occupational injuries and illnesses. That |
| occupational illnesses that affect Iowa workers | | | | means that every day roughly 200 families were |
| each year. | | | | forced to cope with unexpected medical |
| Occupational injuries can lead to a variety of | | | | necessities and potentially devastating |
| complications for the affected employee and his | | | | consequences of incidents or ongoing |
| or her family. The physical pain and impairment | | | | circumstances in the workplace. Some of the |
| that arise only represent the first, and in some | | | | most dangerous industries, as judged by the |
| ways the simplest, effects of a workplace | | | | incidence rate of nonfatal injuries, were: |
| accident. Disagreements over a workers' | | | | - Health care and social assistance in nursing and |
| compensation claim and the assignment of blame | | | | residential care facilities - 14.9 % of workers |
| for a workplace injury can create an | | | | - Food manufacturing, non-poultry animal |
| uncomfortable tension amongst co-workers or | | | | slaughtering - 13.5 % of workers |
| between an employee and management. | | | | - Service providing, water, sewage, and other |
| Moreover, the financial implications of an injury or | | | | system utilities - 11.7 % of workers |
| illness that prevents an individual from returning to | | | | - Food manufacturing, animal slaughtering overall - |
| work immediately and at full capacity can leave a | | | | 11.2 % of workers |
| family struggling to meet financial obligations and | | | | Injured and Need Help? |
| basic needs. | | | | We are able to answer many of the most |
| Iowa Occupation Injury Incidence Rates for 2008 | | | | pressing questions that arise about workplace |
| Until you are directly affected by a workplace | | | | injuries and workers' compensation. Contact the |
| injury, either your own or your spouse's, it is | | | | Des Moines workers compensation lawyers of |
| easy to view occupational accidents and illnesses | | | | LaMarca & Landry, P.C. |