The Travelers Injury Impact Report [Infographic]
As a leading workers compensation carrier, Travelers knows firsthand that injuries can occur in any business, regardless of industry or size. To provide businesses with a better understanding of what’s happening in their workplaces, Travelers recently analyzed more than 1.5 million workers compensation claims submitted from 2015 through 2019. The resulting insights can help businesses develop and enhance workplace safety practices to create safer environments for all employees.
INJURY IMPACT REPORT
Employee Injury Trends
35% of workplace injuries occurred during a worker’s first year on the job.
The most common causes of first-year injuries were:
27% Overexertion
22% Slips, trips and falls
14% Struck by an object
6% Cuts and punctures
6% Caught-in or -between hazards
6% Motor vehicle accidents
First-year injuries resulted in more than 6 million missed workdays, representing 37% of all missed workdays.
The most common resulting injuries of first-year employees were:
38% Strains and sprains
13% Fractures
9% Contusions
6% Cuts and puncture wounds
6% Inflammation
6% Dislocations
The most expensive workers compensation claims involving first-year employees, accounting for 26% of total claim costs but just 8% of total claims, were amputations, multiple traumas, electric shocks and dislocations.
Industries most affected by first-year injuries:
Restaurants
53% of claims and 47% of claim costs
Construction
48% of claims and 52% of claim costs
Services
43% of claims and 38% of claim costs
Transportation
39% of claims and 41% of claim costs
Findings Across All Employees and Industries
The injuries analyzed kept workers across all industries out of work for more than 17 million days.
The most common causes of all injuries were:
29% Overexertion
23% Slips, trips and falls
14% Struck by an object
5% Motor vehicle accidents
The industries with the highest average of missed workdays were construction (98), transportation (88) and services (69).
The most common resulting injuries of all workers were:
38% Strains and sprains
13% Fractures
8% Contusions
7% Inflammation
7% Dislocations
5% Cuts and puncture wounds
The most expensive injuries were dislocations, head trauma and fractures.
Body parts most commonly affected were:
13% Lower back
12% Shoulders
10% Knees
6% Fingers
6% Wrists
All data included is Travelers indemnity claim data, in accident years 2015-19. Zero-dollar claims excluded. Valued Dec. 31, 2020. Losses are unlimited and undeveloped. Unless otherwise noted, data points highlighted in this infographic represent claims across all employees and industries.
The Travelers Indemnity Company and its property casualty affiliates. One Tower Square, Hartford, CT 06183
© 2022 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries.
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Travelers strives to help its customers maximize employee wellness, ensure workplace safety and, when work-related injuries do occur, enable injured employees to return to work as soon as medically appropriate. Through the Travelers Workforce Advantage®, we help customers understand and identify their key exposures and assist them in developing risk mitigation strategies to better protect their employees and their businesses. This comprehensive approach begins with the development of safety programs that focus on the employee and highlights three key areas: attracting and hiring qualified candidates, onboarding and training, and supporting and engaging employees.
Learn more about why Travelers is the right choice for your workers compensation needs.
Trends by Industry

Employee Injury Trends in Construction [Infographic]
Every construction site can have risks that increase the risk of injury severity and lost time. Learn more about employee injury trends in construction.

Employee Injury Trends in Manufacturing [Infographic]
A single worker who is out for one day or more because of an injury may have a significant operational and financial impact on a company. Learn more about employee injury trends in manufacturing.

Employee Injury Trends in Small Business [Infographic]
Having an employee out of work for even one day due to injury or illness can have a significant effect. Learn more about employee injury trends in small business.

Employee Injury Trends in Wholesale and Distribution [Infographic]
Wholesalers and distributors rely on their employees to handle and move products, often on tight timelines. Learn about employee injury trends in wholesale and distribution.
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