What are the costliest workers’ compensation claims?

Workers’ compensation insurer The Travelers Companies has examined over 1.2 million workers’ compensation claims from 2017 to 2021, outlining the findings in its 2024 Injury Impact Report.

The report highlights that the most prevalent types of workplace injuries include overexertion, which accounted for 29% of the reviewed claims; slips, trips, and falls, which made up 23% of the claims; being struck by an object (12%); and motor vehicle accidents and caught-in or caught-between hazards, both at 5%.

Analyzing severe claims costing $250,000 or more, Travelers identified the top five drivers of these expenses as the following:

1. Slips, trips, and falls

3. Being struck by an object

4. Motor vehicle accidents

5. Caught-in or caught-between hazards

Rich Ives, senior vice president of business insurance claim at Travelers, commented: “Factors such as inexperience, workforce shortages, and maintenance issues are all contributing to these unfortunate and often avoidable accidents.

Meanwhile, consistent with previous reports, the 2024 analysis indicates that employees in their first year on the job remain the most susceptible to workplace injuries, representing 35% of all workers’ compensation claims.

The study also shows an increase in missed workdays due to injuries, with the construction sector experiencing the highest average of lost workdays per injury (103 days from 99 previously), followed by the transportation industry with 83 days (up from 77). Additionally, injured employees in small businesses missed an average of 82 workdays, higher than last year’s 79.

Chris Hayes, assistant vice president of workers’ compensation and transportation, risk control, at Travelers, stated: “There are tangible consequences to any injury, and many include long-term, sometimes permanent, effects.

“By understanding where the risks were in the past, businesses can better identify what to look for and tailor their risk management and employee safety strategies accordingly to help prevent injuries from happening.”

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