While workplace injury rates are declining, those that do happen are becoming more severe, more expensive and are keeping employees off the job longer, with new hires and older workers posing the greatest risks, according to an “injury impact” report released Monday by Travelers.
The annual report, based on more than 1.2 million workers compensation claims filed between 2021 and 2025, found injured employees missed an average of 80 workdays per claim, even as overall injury frequency trended downward.
First-year employees accounted for roughly 37% of all workplace injuries and 34% of claim costs, generating more than 5 million missed workdays over the period. Travelers said that pattern was especially pronounced in labor-intensive and high-turnover sectors, with restaurants leading the list at 51% of claims involving first-year workers, followed by construction at 44% and retail at 39%.
Wholesale and professional services businesses — including legal, engineering and accounting firms — each saw first-year employees account for 38% of claims. Transportation, finance, insurance and real estate each came in at 36%, while manufacturing recorded 31%.
Construction workers had the longest average recovery time of any sector, missing 114 workdays per injury, followed by transportation at 94 days, professional services at 77 days and manufacturing at 76 days. Small business employees missed an average of 86 workdays per injury, six more than the all-industry average.
The report also found older workers continue to face longer recoveries. Employees age 60 and older accounted for 16% of all lost-time claims and missed an average of 97 workdays per injury — 17 more than average. Their injuries were also more likely to involve fractures and dislocations, which typically require longer healing times.
Shoulder injuries were the most common body part injured across most industries, representing 13% of claims, followed by lower back and knee injuries at 11% each.
This article was first published in Business Insurance
