Massachusetts Workers' Compensation Lawyer Blog
In 2016, Travelers Insurance released an “Injury Impact Report” identifying the leading causes of work-related injury accidents. The study reviewed more than 1.5 million workers’ comp claims from a diverse selection of industries. The claims, filed between 2010 and 2014, revealed the top five most common claims and their relative costs.
Lost Work Time
The most common injuries by far were strains, sprains and fractures, contusions, cuts and punctures, inflammation, and chronic sickness. The average lost work time for strains and sprains was 57 days, and cuts and punctures followed at 24 days. But the main causes of missed work time were inflammation and fractures, with fractures resulting in 78 days lost and inflammation-related injuries resulting in 91. A Boston workers’ compensation attorney can help you determine how to move forward if you’ve been injured in a work-related accident
Costliest Injuries
Amputations were the costliest injuries, averaging $102,500 per claim. Dislocation came in at a close second ($97,100). After these injuries, there was a sharp decline in cost, with electric shock coming in third ($55,200), then crushing ($54,600), and multiple trauma ($50,000). However, these were the costliest, not most frequently occurring, injuries. The most common injuries ranged in cost per claim from $8,000 to just over $42,000.
Five Most Common Workplace Accidents
- #5 – Coming in at fifth place was trauma that occurs over time (4%). This includes repetitive motion injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome from continuous typing, or lower back pain from poor posture when seated in front of a computer for hours each day. These types of injuries affect office workers as frequently as manual laborers.
- #4 – The fourth runner up was accidents involving tools (7%). These injuries are most common in construction work and for other workers who commonly use tools, such as electricians, mechanics and factory workers.
- #3 – Being struck by an object came in third (10%) on the list of most common workplace accidents. This type of injury is especially deadly; about 26% of construction-related fatalities are the result of “struck-by” accidents.
- #2 – Slips, trips, and falls was the second runner up (16%). Although falls are not the top cause of workplace accidents, they are among the deadliest. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 798 workers died from falls in 2014. Falls are the fourth leading cause of workplace death, preceded by driving, workplace assault, and contact with equipment.
- #1 – And the number one cause of workplace injuries in the United States is…material handling (32%). Actually, these injuries are quite similar to the 5th most common injury, trauma that occurs over time. However, where trauma that occurs over time can develop from repetitive motions that do not involving material handling, this injury always involves the lifting, carrying, pushing, or lowering of materials. For example, if a UPS worker spends four-hours each morning loading heavy boxes onto a truck, resulting injuries would be classified as material handling.
If you have been injured on the job, a MA workers’ compensation attorney can help you obtain the compensation you deserve in a timely manner. If you are concerned about the safety of your work environment, talk to a supervisor immediately. If the supervisor fails to address your concerns, you can always contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This agency establishes guidelines for workplace safety and is tasked with investigating reported issues.
Altman & Altman, LLP – Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Serving Boston and the Surrounding Areas
If you have bene injured in a workplace accident, the skilled legal team at Altman & Altman, LLP can help. We have been protecting the rights of MA workers for more than 50 years. Most work-related injuries are covered by workers’ compensation, but the process can be complicated and tricky. Even a minor application error can result in delayed or reduced benefits. Further, if negligence played a role in your injuries, you may be entitled to additional compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. If you’ve been injured, we can help. Contact Altman & Altman, LLP today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.
