Study correlates age, job experience with frequency, cost of workers comp claims

The amount of time an employee spends in a particular role and their age are the leading factors in the frequency and cost of workers compensation claims.

“As employers navigate turnover and a multigenerational workforce, it’s important that they stay aware of the risks that come with changing worker demographics so they can help keep employees safe and businesses running,” says Rich Ives, vice president of business insurance claims for Travelers.

Employees in their first year on a job, regardless of their age or industry experience, represented more than one-third of all claims and nearly seven million missed workdays due to injury, according to the 2023 Injury Impact Report from Travelers. Although they were injured less often than most other age groups, employees ages 60 and older had higher average costs per claim, totaling nearly 15% more than employees between the ages of 35 and 49 and approximately 140% more than those ages 18 to 24.