Study Reveals Slips, Trips, and Falls as Leading Cause of Costly Workplace Injuries

Construction worker lying on the ground after a fall, with a colleague learning over him for help, symbolizing a workplace injury incident on a job site.

Recently, Travelers Insurance conducted a survey and examined 1.2 million workers' compensation claims from 2017 to 2021. The results revealed that overexertion, slips, trips, and falls, and being struck by an object are the top reasons workers get hurt on the job. Slips, trips, and falls made up 23% of workplace injuries, while overexertion led the pack at 29%.

Additionally, motor vehicle accidents (5%) and caught-in/between (5%) rounded out the top five. While these percentages may look small, the impacts are anything but. Chris Hayes, Assistant VP of Workers' Compensation and Transportation Risk Control at Travelers, makes it clear that understanding these risks can help businesses tailor safety strategies to prevent future injuries.

"By understanding where the risks were in the past, businesses can better identify what to look for and tailor their risk management and employee safety strategies accordingly to help prevent injuries from happening," said Hayes.

What are the biggest drivers of severe work injury claims?

For injuries that resulted in claims of $250,000 or more, slips, trips, and falls once again made the list, alongside overexertion and being struck by objects. It's clear that these types of incidents don't just result in bumps and bruises—they can lead to costly, long-term harm. Nearly 35% of workplace injuries happened during an employee's first year on the job, leading to six million missed workdays in 2023 alone.

Which industries lose the most workdays due to injuries?

Not all injuries are created equal, especially when you look at lost workdays by industry. Workers in construction lose an average of 103 days to recovery. Transportation follows with 83 days, services with 72, wholesale with 71, and manufacturing with 67. These figures demonstrate how work injuries affect different sectors. Each industry deals with specific injury types, from lower back pain in wholesale to shoulder injuries in manufacturing.

What types of workplace injuries cause the most time off?

When looking at specific injuries, dislocations keep workers off the job the longest, averaging 142 days of missed work. Fractures and inflammation follow at 92 and 85 days, respectively, while sprains and contusions result in shorter recovery periods but are still significant—54 and 30 days, respectively.

Other common workplace injuries that lead to workers' comp claims include:

Back injuries from lifting heavy objects or from falls.
Crush injuries that occur when a worker is pinned between or underneath heavy equipment or materials.
Lacerations from sharp tools, machines, or materials.
Amputations when machinery or equipment crushes, cuts, or removes a body part.
Burns due to exposure to fire, chemicals, or electrical hazards.
Tendonitis from repetitive movements or overuse of tendons during physical tasks.
Carpal tunnel syndrome from repeated hand or wrist motions, often involving tool use.
Hernias from lifting heavy loads or straining the abdominal muscles.
Hearing loss from long-term exposure to loud sounds, such as heavy machinery or construction equipment.
Eye injuries from contact with flying debris, chemicals, or impact during work.

Slips, trips, and falls in construction are costly

In construction, workers' compensation claims are nearly double the average of other industries. Slips, trips, and falls, along with overexertion, are driving these sky-high costs. Rich Ives, Senior VP of Business Insurance Claim at Travelers, points to factors such as inexperience, workforce shortages, and maintenance issues.

"While the number of injuries overall has been trending downward in recent years, our analysis shows that there's never been a better time for businesses to invest in workplace safety and injury prevention," said Ives.

Contact a workers' compensation attorney today

If you sustained an injury at work due to a slip, trip, or fall—or any other type of workplace accident—you deserve compensation for your lost wages, medical bills, and more. However, without an experienced workers' compensation attorney on your side, the process can be confusing.

At Vellner Law, PC, our team works hard when you need us most. Based in Allentown and Bethlehem, we have decades of experience fighting for the rights of injured workers across Pennsylvania.

We can handle everything from the complicated paperwork to negotiating with insurance companies and litigating your case. We also work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and find out how we can help you secure the compensation you deserve.

"Tony Vellner and his staff were with me throughout my case and I never felt left in the dark about the case. I have and do recommend Tony to anyone who needs a workers' comp lawyer." - Susan