Originally Published: January 09, 2019 | Last Updated & Revised: September 2026
No one leaves for work in the morning expecting to spend the evening in an emergency room, or worse, facing months off the job without a paycheck. Yet thousands of Colorado workers face that exact scenario every year. Work hazards are often hidden in plain sight, but the financial and physical toll of a workplace accident is immediately clear. Before you assume “it won’t happen to me,” take a closer look at what Federal Census data says about Colorado’s most dangerous jobs, most expensive injuries, and why the insurance system isn’t always on your side.
Colorado Fatal Injury Trends and Risks
Every year, state and federal agencies publish comprehensive statistics on workplace accidents, injuries, and fatalities. When we originally analyzed this data in 2019 (based on 2013 data), Colorado reported 73 on-the-job fatalities. A look at the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries for Colorado reveals a 26% increase in workplace deaths, rising to 92 fatal injuries in a single year.
Understanding how these numbers have evolved and how Colorado workers’ compensation laws protect injured employees can help you and your family navigate the aftermath of a severe workplace accident.
While safety regulations and equipment have improved over time, total workplace fatalities in Colorado have grown. A comparison between our original 2013 baseline data and the latest BLS figures highlights clear shifts in risk factors.
Key Demographic and Industry Takeaways
- Older Workers Face Growing Risk: In our original analysis, workers in their 50s accounted for 31% of fatalities. Today, workers aged 55 and older account for nearly 38% of all workplace deaths (35 fatalities), with a notable increase among workers 65 and older.
- Rise in Construction Fatalities: Construction is now Colorado’s deadliest industry, surpassing transportation and warehousing, with specialty trade contractors accounting for the most deaths. High-risk factors include working at heights or on scaffolding, operating heavy machinery, and exposure to electrical, chemical, and equipment hazards.
- Falls, Slips, and Trips: Falls are now the second leading cause of fatal occupational injuries in the state, accounting for 23% of all deaths (21 fatalities).
Workplace injuries in sectors like building and transit often involve complicated insurance carrier pushback. We routinely step in to handle intricate construction worker claims arising from heavy machinery mishaps, falls from heights, or unsafe job site conditions. Similarly, our attorneys advocate for long-haul operators and delivery drivers navigating specialized truck driver injury claims after serious highway crashes, helping injured workers secure the maximum benefits they deserve under Colorado law.
Watch: Most Costly and Fatal Work Injuries
Attorney Britton Morrell breaks down baseline injury statistics and historical trends in Colorado workers’ compensation claims. While specific annual numbers shift year to year, the high-risk industries, primary causes, and legal rights discussed in this video remain directly applicable today.
What Counts as a “Lost-Time” Injury in Colorado?
While fatality statistics draw significant attention, non-fatal injuries impact thousands of Colorado workers each year. In Colorado workers’ compensation, an accident is classified as a lost-time injury only if it forces an employee to miss more than three shifts or three calendar days of work.
Because lost-time claims require insurance companies to pay wage replacement benefits, insurers closely scrutinize these cases.
Most Common Lost-Time Injuries
- Sprains and Strains (~36% of claims): Usually caused by lifting, twisting, or reaching. These claims are often among the most expensive due to required physical therapy, MRI scans, or spinal surgeries.
- Contusions and Crushing (~13%): Caused by falling objects, machinery impacts, or heavy equipment collisions.
- Fractures and Lacerations (~6% and under): Common in construction, manufacturing, and heavy labor environments.
Understanding Your Rights Under Colorado Workers’ Comp Law
In Colorado, our workers’ compensation system ensures you and your loved ones have immediate access to basic benefits if a worker is injured while performing employment duties. The Colorado Workers’ Compensation Act ensures employees injured on the job receive prompt medical care and financial support without proving fault. If you suffer a work-related injury or lose a family member to a fatal workplace accident, you may be entitled to:
- 100% Medical Coverage: Full payment for doctor visits, emergency care, surgeries, prescriptions, and physical therapy through authorized medical providers. Most injured workers receive 100% medical coverage, lost time during treatment, and an impairment rating. How much you get depends on the injury, the adjuster, the employee’s doctor, and other factors. As an injured worker in Colorado, the most important thing is to realize that all the parties involved are motivated by one thing: to pay as little as possible. The problem is that you must cover the costs of what they are paying for when they pay only the minimum. That is why injured workers need someone who knows the system inside and out, can fight for them, and can push back to get them the most benefits possible.
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD): Partial replacement of lost wages while you are unable to work during recovery.
- Permanent Impairment Benefits: Financial compensation if your injury leaves you with lasting physical limitations or disability.
- Death Benefits: Financial support for surviving spouses and dependent children following a fatal on-the-job accident.
Why Hiring a Colorado Workers’ Comp Attorney Maximizes Your Benefits
The primary objective of insurance adjusters and corporate representatives in the workers’ compensation system is simple: minimize what they pay on every claim.
From disputing average weekly wage calculations to denying necessary medical procedures or assigning low impairment ratings, insurance carriers regularly look for ways to cut costs. Without proper legal guidance, injured workers often pay out of pocket for expenses that insurance should fully cover.
At Kaplan Morrell, we have spent decades protecting injured workers and their families across Colorado. We know how the system works, understand how adjusters operate, and fight to ensure you receive the full benefits you deserve.
Have You Been Injured or Lost a Loved One in a Workplace Accident?
Workplace accidents happen far too often in Colorado. Fortunately, the state’s workers’ compensation system establishes clear laws to protect you and your family. Whether you are navigating a severe job-site injury or facing the tragic loss of a loved one, these legal protections ensure immediate access to vital medical, wage-replacement, or survivor benefits.
If you or a family member has been impacted by a workplace injury or fatal accident in Colorado, don’t face the insurance companies alone. Our experienced legal team will protect your rights every step of the way. Contact Kaplan Morrell Today!
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Navigating a work injury or personal injury claim can be complex, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Connect with Kaplan Morrell on social media for regular legal updates, answers to common workers’ comp questions, and insights into your rights as a resident of Colorado
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