The Deadliest Jobs in Louisiana & What Data Reveals About Work Safety
In 2023, Louisiana reported 104 fatal occupational injuries. That number is a stark reminder that too many workers in this state are dying to earn a living. From highway crashes to construction falls to drownings in commercial fishing, the jobs that keep Louisiana running are also some of the most dangerous in America.
Workers in transportation, construction, and agriculture/fishing/forestry face the highest risks. These industries fuel Louisiana’s economy, but they also produce a disproportionate share of its workplace deaths. The danger isn’t evenly distributed. It falls hardest on workers who are undertrained and underprotected.
But these tragedies are not inevitable. Behind every preventable death is a decision that went the wrong way—a safety measure skipped, an inspection delayed, a hazard ignored. And behind every life-changing injury is a worker who deserves a chance to rebuild.
When regulators fall short or companies cut corners, workers have to rely on advocates to hold these parties accountable.
Transportation: High Speed, High Stakes
Transportation and material moving jobs had the highest number of fatal injuries in Louisiana in 2023, with 34 lives lost. These included delivery drivers, truck operators, forklift drivers, and others whose work keeps goods and people moving across the state. Transportation incidents accounted for 14 of those deaths, with motor vehicle operators making up the majority.
Nationally, transportation is the most dangerous category of work, and Louisiana follows the same trend. But the state’s deteriorating infrastructure makes the risks even worse. Rural highways, outdated bridges, and high rates of fatal crashes create a work environment where every shift can turn deadly. That danger increases when workers are pushed to meet impossible delivery schedules or when employers skimp on vehicle maintenance and safety training.
Construction: An Industry That Still Leads in Deaths
The 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data shows 28 Louisiana workers died in construction-related jobs. That makes construction as a whole the state’s deadliest sector. The hazards are the same unsolved problems from previous years: falls from scaffolding, trench collapses, electrocutions, and exposure to toxic substances.
Specialty trade contractors—roofers, welders, pipefitters, and others—saw the highest toll. It’s not a coincidence. These roles are high risk to begin with, but they’re often carried out under pressure, with slim margins and tight deadlines. And while OSHA standards exist to protect construction workers, they mean little if employers don’t enforce them.
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting: A Silent Crisis
The agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting sector in Louisiana is the most dangerous by fatality rate. In 2021, the state recorded 60.5 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers in this sector—more than three times the national average.
This work is vital but extremely hazardous. Logging, offshore fishing, and livestock farming involve heavy machinery, extreme weather, and physical exhaustion. These jobs are also often located in remote areas with limited access to emergency services. To make matters worse, many small farms and fisheries are exempt from OSHA regulations, meaning workers have little to no legal protection if something goes wrong.
Because many of these workers are unrepresented, injuries and fatalities in this sector are frequently underreported—which might also explain low numbers for this sector in other states.
But the state of Louisiana itself might be a contributing factor.
Why Louisiana Is Uniquely Dangerous for Workers
Louisiana’s workforce faces unique and compounding dangers that set the state apart from national trends. The data tells part of the story—high fatality rates in industries like transportation, construction, and agriculture—but the causes go deeper than job type alone.
Start with the infrastructure. Louisiana’s roads and bridges are among the most deteriorated in the country. Roughly 12% of the state’s bridges are rated in poor condition—nearly double the national average. Truck drivers, equipment operators, and delivery workers spend their days navigating cracked pavement, poorly lit highways, and long rural stretches with minimal emergency access. That makes every mile more dangerous.
In agriculture and fishing, isolated work sites and extreme environmental conditions add further risk. Workers in these industries are often outdoors year-round, facing exposure to extreme heat, heavy machinery, hazardous chemicals, and unpredictable weather. And because many small farms and fisheries are exempt from OSHA regulations, there’s little oversight ensuring safety rules get followed.
Louisiana also has a relatively young workforce. These workers are often less likely to report hazards or speak out when something goes wrong—especially if their employers threaten retaliation or termination.
This is related to Louisiana’s enforcement of workplace safety rules, which is underfunded and inconsistent. The result? Dangerous employers know they can cut corners without consequences unless and until someone steps in to hold them accountable.
Employers Are the Common Denominator
It’s easy to look at these numbers and focus on the type of work—fishing, construction, transportation—as if the danger comes with the job. But the real danger isn’t just the task—it’s how companies manage it. Again and again, we see corporate practices that normalize unsafe conditions as part of the business model.
Some employers push workers to meet production quotas that virtually require skipping safety checks. Others fail to repair failing equipment or delay necessary upgrades because it would cost time or money. Training is rushed or skipped altogether. New hires are put on the most hazardous jobs without supervision. Temporary workers—who often don’t know their rights—are pushed into positions they aren’t equipped for. And when accidents happen, the instinct is to cover it up, not clean it up.
In these industries, hazards are part of the cost of doing business. And too many companies are willing to accept that cost as long as someone else is the one getting hurt. Louisiana workers deserve better than that. And the only way to force change is to make the risk of injury more expensive than the cost of safety.
Who Is Responsible?
The truth is, workers aren’t dying because they chose risky professions. They’re dying because too many companies in Louisiana are failing to do the one thing they’re legally and morally required to do: protect their people.
Employers are responsible for maintaining safe job sites, enforcing safety protocols, inspecting equipment, and providing training. When those things don’t happen—when safety becomes optional or inconvenient—people get hurt. The industries with the highest fatality rates in Louisiana are also the ones with the most systemic oversight failures, the weakest internal accountability, and the most powerful incentives to prioritize productivity over safety.
When an Injury Isn’t "Minor"
Most accidents don’t make headlines. But a back injury from a fall, a broken hand from malfunctioning equipment, or a crush injury from a collapsing structure can change someone’s life forever.
In Louisiana, we see too many of these "nonfatal" injuries become permanent disabilities. These workers lose their livelihoods. They struggle to pay medical bills. They face a future they never expected—and they’re often left to navigate it alone.
That’s why legal advocacy matters. Plaintiffs’ attorneys can help clients get:
- Full coverage for medical bills
- Compensation for lost income
- Support for long-term care and rehab
- Damages for pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life
Because the truth is: if companies won’t keep their workers safe, they need to be made to answer for it.
Fighting for the People Who Keep Louisiana Running
The jobs that power Louisiana’s economy are also the ones that put workers at the greatest risk. Whether it’s hauling freight, pouring concrete, or working the shrimp boats off the coast, these are not easy jobs. They take skill, strength, and grit.
But no one should have to risk death or lifelong injury just to do honest work. And no family should have to suffer because a company prioritizes profit over people.
