Other highlights from the report include:

At 38 percent, strains and sprains account for the most injuries, followed by fractures (13%), contusions (8%), and inflammation and dislocations (both 7%).
Overexertion causes the most claims (29%), followed by slips, trips, and falls (23%); being struck by an object (13%); motor vehicle accidents (5%); and caught-in or caught-between hazards (5 percent).
Among the most common injuries, dislocations are the costliest, coming in at almost three times the average cost per claim. Slips, trips, and falls cost 35 percent more than the average claim, closely followed by motor vehicle accidents (33%).
On average, the injuries analyzed resulted in 71 missed workdays. Injured employees from small businesses missed an average of 79 workdays.
The construction industry has the highest average number of lost workdays per injury (99), followed by transportation (77).
Slips, trips, and falls cause employees to miss an average of 83 workdays, followed by motor vehicle accidents (79), overexertion (71), and being struck by an object (67).
Amputations lead to some of the most expensive claims, costing nearly five times the average, followed by electric shock and multiple-trauma injuries, such as breaking several bones at once. Together, these injuries accounted for slightly more than 1% of claims.

"After an injury, an employee's road back to work can be difficult, and the longer they remain out, the harder it can be for them to return—especially if they're dealing with a psychosocial barrier, such as fear or worry," Ives says. "That's why a holistic approach to recovery is so critical and why we recommend employers promptly file claims after an incident so injured workers can immediately receive the help they need."

Instant Insights /

Study Correlates Age, Job Experience with Frequency and Cost of Workers' Comp Claims

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