First-year workers account for 38% of all small business workers' comp claims, according to The Travelers Companies, Inc., which reported that across industries 35% of injuries occur during a worker's first year on the job, regardless of age or experience. The most expensive types of claims involving first-year employees were amputations, multiple traumas, electric shocks and dislocations. Combined they account for just 8% of all claims, but make up 26% of total workers' compensation claims costs, according to Travelers.

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"Our data underscores the importance of comprehensive onboarding and training programs for employees, particularly as we continue to navigate the challenges of COVID-19 and see many workers starting new jobs," said Chris Hayes, assistant vice president, Travelers Risk Control – workers compensation and transportation, said in a release. "While new employees are among the most vulnerable, many injuries sustained by employees of any tenure can often be prevented if the proper safety measures are in place." The restaurant industry sees the most claims from first-year employees, who account for 53% of the industry's claims and 47% of its claims costs. Ranking second was construction, a field in which first-year workers account for 48% of claims and 52% of claims costs, according to Travelers. In service and transpiration industries, first-year employees made up around 40% of claims and claims costs. The above slideshow highlights the most frequent causes of workers' comp claims experienced by employees of small businesses as well as the most common resulting injuries, according to Travelers. Read more: |

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Steve Hallo

Steve Hallo is managing editor of PropertyCasualty360.com. He can be reached at [email protected]

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