Illinois Farm Accident Statistics

Farm accident statistics in Illinois reveal that agriculture remains one of the most hazardous industries in the state. Every year, workers are seriously injured or killed in incidents involving machinery, transportation, and unsafe working conditions. 

At IL Work Injury Lawyer, we’re committed to helping injured farm workers and their families pursue the compensation they deserve. If you’ve been hurt on the job, our Chicago farm injury lawyer team is here to fight for your rights and guide you through every step of the legal process.

Fatal Injuries in Illinois Farm Accidents

Research by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) revealed that farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers accounted for 11 of the 158 fatal occupational injuries reported in Illinois in 2019, roughly 7% of all workplace deaths. The corresponding figures for other farming, fishing, and forestry occupations were 4 and 2.5%.

Industry overview data revealed that the agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting sector accounted for 15 of the 158 fatal workplace accidents in Illinois, 9.5% of all fatal occupational injuries that year. Within this group, crop production was responsible for 12 deaths, or 7.6%, highlighting the high-risk nature of seasonal and machinery-intensive farm work. 

Of the 15 fatal farm accidents reported in Illinois’ agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting sector, contact with objects and equipment accounted for 33.3% of deaths. This aligns with long-standing trends where unsafe or outdated farm equipment and machinery play a major role in fatal agricultural injuries. 

Although other industries like construction and transportation had higher total fatal accidents, the agriculture industry consistently ranks among the most dangerous due to the smaller workforce size and the severity of incidents, reinforcing the need for stronger occupational safety measures in rural areas.

According to the University of Illinois, the state’s agriculture industry has the highest worker death rate of any sector, at 21.3 deaths per 100,000 workers. That’s significantly higher when compared to other major industries like construction or manufacturing.

Between 1999 and 2023, there were multiple years where Illinois saw over 30 farm-related deaths, with peaks in 1999 and 2010 when 35 fatalities were recorded. Even in more recent years, fatal farm accidents have remained a serious concern, with 15 reported in 2023 alone.

Workers aged 65 and over experienced the highest number of fatalities (181), followed closely by those aged 45–64 (173 fatalities). Even younger workers and children were affected, with 72 deaths among 25-44-year-olds, and 41 among those aged 15–24. There were four fatal farm accidents involving children under 5, and 18 among children aged 5–14. 

According to NIOSH (the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health established by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970), youth injuries on U.S. farms have declined over time, but the numbers remain concerning. 

In 2001, an estimated 29,227 youth under age 20 were injured on farms, with the majority (22,144) being household youth, typically children of farm owners or workers. By 2014, the total dropped to 11,942, including 7,469 household youth and 4,473 non-household youth. 

While this downward trend reflects some improvement in agricultural safety, thousands of children and teens still face serious risks from farm accidents, often due to lack of supervision, age-inappropriate tasks, or unsafe farm equipment.

Farm Equipment in Illinois Fatal Farm Accidents

The causes behind these fatalities span a wide range of high-risk situations, most of which are preventable:

• Tractor-related incidents led to 213 deaths, making tractors the leading cause of farm fatalities.
• Roadway-related crashes claimed 82 lives, underscoring the danger of transportation accidents involving slow-moving farm vehicles.
• Grain bin entrapments were responsible for 45 fatalities, often due to engulfment during unloading or lack of rescue systems.
• Farm equipment accidents caused 34 deaths, many involving augers, plows, or heavy equipment with missing safety guards.
• All-terrain vehicle (ATV) incidents accounted for 24 deaths, often involving rollovers or collisions.
• Electrocution led to 17 fatalities, frequently due to contact with overhead power lines during farming.
• Animal-related injuries caused 10 deaths, typically from trampling or aggressive livestock behavior.
• Power take-off (PTO) shaft accidents resulted in 6 fatalities, often due to lack of shielding on rotating machinery.
• Manure storage facilities caused 3 deaths, usually involving toxic gas exposure or falls into confined spaces.
• An additional 76 fatalities were classified as “other,” reflecting the unpredictable nature of agriculture-related hazards.

Statistics on Agricultural Injuries

Between 2015 and 2019, an estimated 62,079 people were treated in emergency departments across the U.S. for agricultural injuries, according to data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). The most frequent diagnoses included broken bones (fractures), open wounds, and amputations.

In a 2023 study examining injury outcomes among different occupations, farmers stood out in several important areas. Nearly all injured farmers (98.4%) were classified as residents rather than visitors at the time of injury, reflecting the reality that most agricultural injuries happen where people live and work, on the farm itself. 

While alcohol was a factor in just 2% of injuries among farm workers, these incidents still pose serious risks, particularly when combined with heavy equipment or long work hours. 

The study also highlighted how severe these nonfatal injuries can be. Only 61.2% of injured farmers were discharged directly from the emergency department, while 36.3% required hospital admission, and 6% ultimately died from their injuries. 

In the dataset, 96.1% of farm injuries were accidental, with the leading injury mechanisms being motor vehicle collisions (10.2%), blunt force trauma (16.1%), cuts or penetrating injuries (20.9%), and falls or slips (26.4%). 

Injuries sustained in farm accidents often require serious medical treatment, reflecting the physically dangerous nature of farm work. According to the same study, 22.1% of injured farmers required surgery, with over 4% needing it within 24 hours and nearly 6% within 48 hours. 

ICU admissions were also notable, with 3.8% of injured farmers requiring intensive care. While the overall mortality rate for farmers remained low at 0.7%, the need for urgent care highlights the severity of many nonfatal injuries resulting from farm accidents. Procedures within the first 72 hours were especially common, suggesting that the health impacts of agricultural trauma are immediate and intense.

National Agriculture Industry Accident and Injury Statistics

National farm accident statistics for 2022 show that the agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting sector continues to rank among the most dangerous in the U.S. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this industry experienced 417 fatal occupational injuries, a significant share of the 5,486 total deaths reported across all private industries.

Within the broader agriculture industry, several subcategories stand out for their high rates of fatalities and the types of hazards involved. With 123 fatal injuries, animal production and aquaculture ranked the highest among all agriculture-related sectors, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many of these incidents involved animal handling, vehicle collisions, and equipment hazards. The breakdown includes:

• Cattle ranching and farming: 97 (36 of which were due to transportation incidents)
• Dairy cattle and milk production: 40 
• Other animal production: 9 
• Hog and pig farming: 3 
• Poultry and egg production: 1 

Crop production ranked second, with 111 deaths. This category covers a range of farming operations, often involving fieldwork, machinery, and long seasonal hours, such as:

• Other crop farming: 33 
• Corn farming: 32 
• Fruit and tree nut farming: 14 
• Vegetable and melon farming: 13 
• Greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production: 13 
• Soybean farming: 12 

Forestry and logging came in third, with 63 fatalities. This sector remains hazardous due to falling trees, rough terrain, and large equipment. Logging alone accounted for 59 deaths, including 41 from contact with objects or equipment.

Support activities for agriculture and forestry ranked fourth, with 41 fatal injuries. These roles often involve contract labor, equipment operation, and field prep, such as:

• Support for crop production: 36 
• Farm labor contractors: 12 

Efforts to Improve Agricultural Safety in Illinois

While Illinois continues to face challenges with farm accidents and fatal injuries, a number of public and private initiatives have worked to improve agricultural safety across the state. These efforts aim to reduce both fatal and nonfatal occupational injuries by addressing the most dangerous aspects of the agricultural industry.

Data from the Purdue University PACSID database shows that grain bin incidents remain a major issue in the agriculture industry, despite years of safety campaigns. In 2010, Illinois recorded 59 grain entrapments, the highest number in the past two decades. Although there was a dip in the following years, the problem hasn’t gone away. In fact, the number of entrapments rose again to 42 in 2022, suggesting that progress has stalled.

Programs like the Grain Handling Safety Coalition, formed in Illinois with support from the University of Illinois, have launched training programs and outreach efforts targeting both farmers and agricultural workers.

Despite these efforts, more work needs to be done. The steady or rising numbers in recent years suggest that research and safety protocols may not be reaching all corners of the agricultural industry, especially among smaller or family-operated farms.

Addressing this ongoing risk requires continued investment in health programs, safety infrastructure, and education. Stronger enforcement of safety standards, especially regarding farm equipment and confined spaces, could significantly reduce these avoidable accidents.

Compensation for Injured Agricultural Workers

When injuries and illnesses occur on the job, many farmers and agricultural workers are left navigating complex legal and financial challenges, often without access to traditional workers’ compensation. These incidents don’t just affect the injured individual; they also take a serious toll on family members, finances, and even long-term mental health. 

At IL Work Injury Lawyer, we help injured farm workers take the right next steps toward fair compensation and accountability. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a farm accident, contact a Chicago work injury attorney today for guidance and support.