Workers Compensation Statistics in Apr 2024

Workers compensation, also referred to as workers comp, is a vital safety net for injured workers and their families.

It provides medical care, lost wages, and other benefits to workers who are injured or become ill on the job. 

In this article, we will address the workers compensation statistics you need to know.

In the United States, workers compensation is regulated by state governments, and each state has its own set of rules and benefits.

Workers compensation statistics can help us to understand the scope of the problem of workplace injuries and illnesses.

They can also help us to identify the industries and occupations that are most at risk, and to target prevention efforts accordingly.

We’re going to explore some recent statistics regarding workers compensation like the number of injuries and illnesses that occur on the job, the cost of workers compensation, and the benefits that are available to injured workers.

Moreover, we’ll discuss some challenges that workers compensation systems face such as the rising costs, fraud and scams, and the lack of awareness of the benefits that are available.

By understanding these workers comp statistics, we can gain more knowledge and work towards making the workplace safer for all workers.

Furthermore, we can make sure that injured workers have access to the benefits they deserve.

Key Statistics

• In 2021, private sector employers reported 2.6 million nonfatal injuries and illnesses in the workplace.
• In 2021, due to over 1,062 nonfatal illnesses and injuries, workers lost at least a day of work.
• 4.9 million workers comp legal claims are filed each year. 
• In the United States there were 5,190 workplace fatalities in 2021.
• The private construction sector experienced 986 workplace fatalities in 2021.
• The transportation and warehousing sector accounted for 18% of workplace fatalities.
• The health care and social assistance industries saw the highest rates of nonfatal workplace illnesses and injuries in 2021.
• The agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting sectors saw the least nonfatal injuries and illnesses in 2021.
• The average cost of a workers compensation claim between 2019 and 2020 came to $41,353 per claim.
• The workers compensation highest costs per claim came to an average of $85,311 due to motor vehicle accidents.

Important Workers Compensation Statistics in 2024

1. In 2021, Private Sector Employers Reported 2.6 Million Nonfatal Injuries and Illnesses in The Workplace.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2.6 million nonfatal illnesses and injuries were reported by private sector employers in 2021.

This is the most recent data from the BLS.

(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

2. In 2021, Due to Over 1.062 Nonfatal Illnesses and Injuries, Workers Lost at Least a Day of Work.

Even though instances of workplace illnesses and injuries were overall down from 2020, over 1.062 million workers reportedly lost at least a single day’s work due to illness or injury.

(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

3. 4.9 Million Workers Comp Legal Claims Are Filed Each Year. 

Statistics show that there are 4.9 million workers compensation legal claims filed each year among government and private sector employees.

We can surmise from this that the private employer sector isn’t the only realm where workers compensation is needed.

(Simply Insurance)

4. In The United States There Were 5,190 Workplace Fatalities in 2021.

A sobering 5,190 workplace fatalities were recorded in the United States in 2021.

A decline in injuries, illnesses, and deaths is little consolation in the wake of even one death, much less over 5,000 deaths.

(Simply Insurance)

5. The Private Construction Sector Experienced 986 Workplace Fatalities in 2021.

According to the BLS, the industry that experienced the most fatalities was in the private construction sector.

This sector saw 986 workplace fatalities which accounts for 19% of all workplace fatalities in 2021.

(BLS)

6. Second to Construction, the Transportation and Warehousing Sector Accounted for 18% of Workplace Fatalities.

Second only to the private construction sector, the transportation and warehousing sector accounted for 18% of workplace fatalities in 2021.

The total reported fatalities in this sector came to 976.

(BLS)

7. The Health Care and Social Assistance Industries Saw the Highest Rates of Nonfatal Workplace Illnesses and Injuries in 2021.

In terms of nonfatal illnesses and injuries, the health care and social assistance sector saw 169,800 illnesses and 453,200 injuries.

The retail industry came in second in 2021 in terms of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses with 51,800 illnesses and 352,800 injuries.

In contrast, this industry saw the lowest rate of workplace fatalities with 137 deaths in 2021.

(BLS)

8. The Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting Sectors Saw the Least Nonfatal Injuries and Illnesses in 2021.

In the agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting private industry there were 2,800 nonfatal illnesses and 40,700 nonfatal injuries reported in 2021.

This sector saw the fewest nonfatal injuries and illnesses in the workplace.

For further reference, this industry came in fourth for workplace fatalities with 453 deaths in 2021.

(BLS) 

9. The Average Cost of A Workers Compensation Claim Between 2019 and 2020 Came to $41,353 per Claim.

The average cost of a workers compensation claim between 2019 to 2020 (calculated within 30 months of a policy inception) accounted for $41,353 per claim.

This data comes from sources that collect workers compensation claim information.

(Injury Facts NSC) 

10. The Workers Compensation Highest Costs per Claim Came to An Average of $85,311 Due to Motor Vehicle Accidents.

The National Council on Compensation Insurance’s, the NCCI, motor vehicle crashes accounted for the highest workers compensation claims between 2019 and 2020 at $85,311 on average per claim. 

(Injury Facts NSC)

11. Burn Cases Accounted for An Average of $54,173 in Workers Compensation Claims. 

Keeping in mind that these workers compensation statistics relate only to workplace accidents, injuries, and fatalities, burn cases cost workers compensation $54,173 in claims between 2019 and 2020.

This is second to motor vehicle accidents.

(Injury Facts NSC) 

12. The Average Workers Comp Cost for A Slip and Fall Incident in The Workplace Was $48,350. 

Slip and fall accidents may not be number one on the list of workplace accidents, but it’s in the top three.

These workplace accidents cost workers compensation an average of $48,350 per claim.

Not everyone reports workplace accidents and injuries as they should. 

(injury Facts Nsc) 

13. Between 2019 and 2020, Amputations Accounted for $118,837 in Workers Compensation Benefits. 

An average of $118,837 was recorded for 2019 to 2020 workers compensation amputation costs per insurance claim.

This includes the medical and indemnity sides of the equation. 

(Injury Facts NSC) 

14. The Central Nervous System and Head Injuries Cost Workers Compensation $93,942 per Claim. 

In 2019 to 2020, the average cost per claim for those suffering a head injury or central nervous system (CNS) injury is $93,942 per claim.

This is the highest average cost among claims per body part. 

(Injury Facts NSC) 

15. Chest and Organ Workplace Injuries Cost Workers Compensation Coverage $21,339 per Claim.

At the lowest end of the workers comp costs per body part, the chest and organ injury areas of the body cost an average of $21,339.

The costs incurred cover medical and indemnity expenses. 

(Injury Facts NSC)   

16. Data Shows that Men Are More Apt to File Workers Compensation Claims than Women.

Men experience higher rates of workplace-related accidents and injuries, which would explain why they are more apt to file for workers comp than their female counterparts.

Men account for 66% of all workplace injuries that require emergency room visits, according to the CDC.

Industries where men dominate the workplace (especially physically dangerous work) account for most of these cases.

(CDC, RBR Law Firm)

17. Women Experience Higher Workers Compensation Claims Due to Mental Disorders than Men Do.

Research studies show that women are statistically prone to experience higher rates of mental health workers compensation claims than their male counterparts.

The studies reveal that emotionally taxing, stressful customer-facing jobs account for this variation.

Also, men more easily discuss physical injuries and are less likely to talk about their mental state.

(NIH, RBR Law Firm)

18. Around $62 Billion Is Paid out Every Year in Workers Comp Claims.

Accidents, injuries, and deaths in the workplace cost the workers compensation insurance sector roughly $62 billion per year in payouts.

This includes approximately $31.3 billion in medical benefits and $31.8 billion in cash payouts. This data from 2016 is the most recent we could find.

We imagine that the costs may be higher or even lower today.

(Simply Insurance)

19. In 2021, the Average Cost per Employer in Workers Compensation Claims Came to $100.2 Billion.

Workers compensation claims cost U.S. employers over $100 billion in 2021.

Employers pay workers compensation insurance providers to protect their employees and their families.

This coverage is to help with various things like medical bills, lost wages, and even death benefits depending on the circumstances. 

(Simply Insurance)

20. Businesses Pay an Average of $957 per Worker per Year in Compliance to U.S. Labor Laws. 

The United States has some stringent regulations, guidelines, and laws regarding businesses and how they conduct business in accordance with those rules.

An average of $957 per employee is paid out by U.S. businesses to maintain compliance.

This amount represents about 1.2% of all employer compensation expenses, including employee wages and benefits. 

(Simply Insurance)

FAQs

Conclusion

Now we know how workers compensation is crucial for injured workers and their families.

It helps them get the medical care they need.

Workers comp also comes with benefits like replacing lost wages.

In summary, here are a few things to take away from this article. 

• Workers compensation is a system of insurance that provides benefits to employees who are injured or become ill on the job.
• The benefits that are available under workers compensation vary from state to state.
• Workers compensation statistics can be a valuable tool for understanding the scope of the problem of workplace injuries and illnesses.
• We need to do more to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses.

We hope this article has been informative and helpful to you.

If you have any questions about workers compensation, please don’t hesitate to consult with an attorney or another qualified professional.

These Workers compensation statistics can help us to understand the scope of the problem of workplace injuries and illnesses.

They can also help us to identify the industries and occupations that are most at risk, and to target prevention efforts accordingly.

Sources

BLS	CDC	Injury Facts NSC
NIH	RBR Law Firm	Simply Insurance
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics