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 7 million missed workdays due to injury, according to a new report by The Travelers Companies, Inc.
“The data clearly highlights two populations to watch when it comes to workplace injuries: new and aging employees,” says Rich Ives, VP of business insurance claim, Travelers. “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.”
From The Travelers Companies, Inc.:
- Though new and aging employees 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 35-49 and approximately 140% more than those ages 18-24.
- At 38%, strains and sprains accounted for the most injuries, followed by fractures (13%); contusions (8%); inflammation (7%); and dislocations (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%).
- Dislocations were the costliest of the most common injuries, coming in at almost three times the average cost per claim.
- On average, the injuries analyzed resulted in 71 missed workdays.
“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. That’s why a holistic approach to recovery is so critical, and why we recommend employers promptly file claims after an incident – so that injured workers can immediately receive the help they need,” says Ives.
