What Are the Most Dangerous Jobs in Montana?

When was the last time someone was injured where you work? There is the possibility of getting injured in any occupation, whether that job takes place in an office or construction site. According to data collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the total number of fatal work injuries across the country in 2023 was 5,283. While that is a decrease of 3.7% from the previous year, it is still alarming to consider that all those folks left for work without knowing they would never return home.

As for injuries, 2.6 million injuries and illnesses were reported in the same time period. Those injuries range from minor lacerations to severe traumatic brain injuries. If a workplace injury requires medical attention or time off to recover, then the incident might trigger a workers’ compensation claim.

That claim creates its own unique challenges as the workers’ compensation insurance carriers need to thoroughly investigate the claim’s validity to ensure the injury was work-related. It is a situation where the support and legal counsel of experienced attorneys would prove invaluable.

In Montana, as with every other state, residents are occupied in a wide array of jobs with varying degrees of potential risks. The more you know about risks, the better off you’ll be when considering a job offer. What are the most dangerous jobs in Montana?

First, the most dangerous jobs in the country are considered based on data collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics. Here’s the list of civilian occupations with the highest fatal work injuries in 2023:

• Fishing and hunting workers
• Roofers
• Refuse and recyclable material collectors
• Aircraft pilots and flight engineers
• Helpers, construction trades
• Driver/sales workers and truck drivers
• Grounds maintenance workers
• Miscellaneous agricultural workers
• Structural iron and steel workers
• Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers managers

According to a report put out by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, the following are the occupations in Montana with the number of fatal injuries in a single year:

• Natural resources and mining: 12
• Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting: 12
• Animal production and aquaculture: 8
• Driver/sales workers and truck drivers: 8
• Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers: 8
• Moto vehicle operators: 8
• Transportation and warehousing: 7
• Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers: 7

Types of Accidents

The report also details how the injuries or illnesses occurred. Those categories, from highest to lowest, are:

• Transportation incidents
• Falls, slips, trips
• Violence and other injuries by persons or animals

It is also worth noting that the age group with the highest instances of job fatalities is 65 and older. The second highest would be the 25 to 34 age group.

Getting Help for Workplace Injuries

If you suffer a workplace injury, you can seek a recourse for any losses. The first option is to file a claim with your employer’s workers’ compensation carrier. If approved, that claim will compensate you for medical expenses and a portion of your lost salary. However, there is no guarantee that your claim will be approved. If it is denied, you might need to retain the services of an experienced law firm such as Western Justice Associates. We have years of experience helping clients appeal workers’ compensation denials.

Additionally, we also support surviving family members who are dealing with the loss of their loved ones. Yes, accidents happen, but if they happen because of someone else’s negligence, there needs to be a remedy.