Struck-by-lightning deaths in the United States.

In the United States, approximately 82 people die each year from lightning strikes.

That number is greater than the number of deaths caused by other, more familiar, disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes, and blizzards.

Sequelae of lightning injuries include

--neurologic and neuropsychologic disorders,

--seizures,

--brain injury,

--spinal artery syndrome,

--blindness,

--amnesia,

--anxiety attacks, and

--peripheral nerve damage.

Ongoing analyses of struck-by-lightning deaths are needed to alert and remind the public of this danger.

Safety from lightning remains an individual responsibility.

No OSHA regulations exist to protect workers.

In an epidemiological study struck-by-lighting deaths, the majority of incidents were found to occur in the South and the Midwest.

Ninety-two percent of incidents were recorded in the period of May through September.

People 20-44 years of age accounted for the majority of deaths.

Males were over-represented.

Hispanic workers comprised a third of work-related lightning victims but represented 12 percent of overall worker fatalities during 1995-2002.

Farms were the most common location of injury.

Other common sites of injury were industrial locations (e.g., construction sites), and private residences.

The work activities most commonly resulting in struck-by-lightning deaths were construction and material handling (e.g., loading and unloading).

Prevention efforts focused on farming and construction workers are needed.

Interventions might be most effective if directed to regions and states with the majority of fatalities.