Age, experience matter in cost of workplace injuries
After examining more than 1.2 million worker compensation claims from 2016 to 2020, a new study from The Travelers Companies Inc. shows that an employee’s time spent in a particular role and his or her age were driving factors in injury frequency and cost of claims, respectively.
Some findings from the study:
- Employees in their first year on a job, regardless of their age or industry experience, represented more than one-third (34%) of all claims and accounted for nearly seven million missed workdays due to injury.
- Though 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.
- The most common injuries were strains and sprains, 38%; fractures, 13%; contusions, 8%; inflammation, 7%; and dislocations, 7%.
- The most common causes of injury were overexertion, 29%; slips, trips and falls, 23%; being struck by an object, 13%; motor vehicle accidents, 5%; and caught-in or caught-between hazards, 5%.
- The costliest common claims were dislocations, causing almost three times the average cost per claim.
- On average, the injuries analyzed resulted in 71 missed workdays.
- The construction industry had the highest average number of lost workdays per injury (99 workdays), followed by transportation (77 workdays).
- Injured employees from small businesses missed an average of 79 workdays.
The researchers also suggested that an injured employee’s road back to work can be difficult. The longer he or she remains out, the harder it can be for them to return. They recommended that employers promptly file claims after an incident – so that injured workers can immediately receive the help they need.
Source: EHS Today
OCCMed Jackson can help ...
- Pre-employment physicals, including nerve conduction studies and physical ability testing, to help determine if the employee can do the job.
- Job site evaluations to assess a job’s physical requirements and workplace noise evaluations.
- A physical therapy department that offers quality treatment and better continuity of care, enabling your employee to recover and return to work more quickly.
- Testing for drugs and alcohol, pulmonary function, vision, hearing, and heavy metal.
Finally, we are experts at steering you through the entire workers’ compensation process — from treating the injured employee and determining causation to keeping you informed and providing documentation.
For more information, contact OCCMed Director Jennifer Carmack at 731-984-8400 or jennifer@occmedjackson.com.
