Study correlates age, job experience with frequency, cost of workers comp claims

The amount of time an employee spends in a particular role and their age are the leading factors in the frequency and cost of workers compensation claims.

“As employers navigate turnover and a multigenerational workforce, it’s important that they stay aware of the risks that come with changing worker demographics so they can help keep employees safe and businesses running,” says Rich Ives, vice president of business insurance claims for Travelers.

Employees in their first year on a job, regardless of their age or industry experience, represented more than one-third of all claims and nearly seven million missed workdays due to injury, according to the 2023 Injury Impact Report from Travelers. Although they were injured less often than most other age groups, employees ages 60 and older had higher average costs per claim, totaling nearly 15% more than employees between the ages of 35 and 49 and approximately 140% more than those ages 18 to 24.

Other highlights from the report include:

• At 38%, strains and sprains accounted for the most injuries, followed by fractures (13%), contusions (8%), inflammation and dislocations (both 7%).
• Overexertion caused 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).
• Dislocations were the costliest of the most common injuries, coming in at almost three times the average cost per claim. Slips, trips and falls cost 35% 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 had the highest average number of lost workdays per injury (99), followed by transportation (77).
• Slips, trips and falls caused employees to miss an average of 83 workdays, followed by motor vehicle accidents (79); overexertion (71) and being struck by an object (67).
• Amputations led 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.

Related: Workers’ comp coverage gaps with remote workers

“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.”