The Cost of Overexertion and Falls in The Workplace

Workplace injuries are a significant business risk with potentially major financial implications.

According to Liberty Mutual’s latest Workplace Safety Index, employers spent nearly $13.7 billion a year on workers’ compensation claims, based on 25 years of research. And just three types of injuries accounted for more than half of that staggering total – back, shoulders, and knees.

If your business involves manual labor, movement of materials, or work in environments with physical hazards, now is the time to pay close attention.

The Top Injury Drivers and What They’re Costing You

The most expensive workplace injury category was overexertion involving outside sources – highlighting the need for businesses to invest in the proper equipment to reduce the need to lift heavy items. This includes injuries related to lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying heavy materials and items.

Next on the list:

• Falls on the same level ($10.5 billion)
• Struck by object or equipment ($5.8 billion)

While some industries are more vulnerable than others, these types of injuries can happen in almost any workplace, from a slippery floor in an office to unsafe storage in a stockroom.

But some good news…
Repetitive motion injuries from microtasks (like typing or assembly line work) saw a 44% drop in cost, possibly due to automation, ergonomic improvements, or changes in workforce roles.

What This Means for Your Business

For many employers, workers’ compensation insurance is one of the largest controllable insurance expenses. But controlling it requires more than just reacting to injuries, it means taking a proactive approach to safety and culture.
Consider these questions:

• Are your employees trained on proper lifting and handling techniques?
• Do you regularly assess and improve workplace ergonomics?
• Is your team equipped with the right tools and protective gear?
• Have you addressed high-risk areas for slips, trips, and falls?

The good news? Most of these top claims are preventable. And, small changes can yield big results in both employee safety and your organization’s bottom-line savings.

How to Get Ahead of Risk

We work with clients to reduce their workers’ comp exposure by:

• Conducting on-site risk assessments
• Recommending claims mitigation strategies
• Creating a culture of safety and accountability

If your business is seeing rising claim costs, or wants to get ahead of them, let’s talk. Seeing workers’ comp costs rise or simply want to prevent them before they do? Connect with our Property and Casualty team to assess injury risk, reduce exposure, and build a safer workplace.