Construction workers lead the list, often sidelined for months
The impact of workplace injuries has gotten worse in recent years. According to a study by The Travelers Company, injured workers miss an average of 80 days of work due to a workplace injury, which is higher than the average number of days missed from work in the past due to work injury.
“Over the past decade, we’ve seen three trends intensify: increasing retirement ages, ongoing employee turnover, and longer injury recovery times,” Rich Ives, senior vice president of business insurance claims at Travelers, said in a press release published by Safety + Health about the recent study.
Injury Recovery Time Increases For Workers
While the average number of workplace injuries has decreased in recent years, injured workers are taking more time off from work to recover than they did in the past, according to the new study by The Travelers Company. Specifically, the 2025 study found:
- In the past 10 years, 2.6 million workers submitted workers’ compensation claims nationwide for work-related injuries or illnesses.
- Between 2020 and 2024, there were 1.2 million workers’ comp claims.
- Between 2015 and 2019, there were 1.4 million workers’ comp claims.
- Employees missed an average of 80 days of work due to a work-related injury in the past five years.
- Workers missed an average of 75 days from work due to a work injury between 2015 and 2019.
What Workplace Injuries Are Causing Longer Recovery Times?
Certain types of workplace injuries remain more common than others. According to the recent Travelers Insurance study based on workplace accident statistics compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), some of the most common workplace injuries that result in time off from work include:
- Bone dislocation – 140 lost work days on average in the past 10 years.
- Bone fracture – 97 lost work days.
- Inflammation – 94 lost work days.
- Strains and sprains – 64 lost work days.
- Contusions – 40 lost work days.
Are Certain Industries More Dangerous Than Others?
Yes, the numbers are very clear – certain industries have more work-related injuries that sideline employees due to a serious work injury. In the past 10 years, the most dangerous industries based on the number of serious work injuries include:
- Construction work – 115 days of lost work on average due to a work injury in the past five years, an increase of 14 lost work days compared to 2015 to 2019.
- Transportation work – 92 days of lost work, an increase of 12 lost work days in the past five years.
- Service work – 78 lost work days, an increase of 8 lost work days.
- Wholesale work – 76 days of lost work, an increase of 6 lost work days.
- Manufacturing work – 74 lost work days, an increase of 7 lost work days.
What Causes Workplace Accidents?
While workplace injuries can occur at any time for any reason, certain situations often result in serious workplace accidents. According to the recent study, some of the most common causes of workplace injuries that resulted in lost work in the past 10 years include:
- Slip, trip, and fall accidents.
- Overexertion caused by lifting, pushing, or pulling heavy objects.
- Being struck by an object, including falling objects and objects being lifted.
- Work-related motor vehicle accidents.
- Caught-in or caught-between hazards, especially being caught between heavy machinery or collapsing materials.
How Can An Ohio Workers’ Compensation Attorney Help?
You might think you don’t need a lawyer if you get hurt at work in Ohio. After all, that’s what workers’ compensation was created for – to help injured workers financially after a serious workplace accident. However, in many cases, obtaining those benefits can be challenging. Even the most straightforward work-related accidents often quickly escalate into complicated legal cases.
Our Ohio workers’ compensation lawyers at Hochman & Plunkett Co., L.P.A. know what’s at stake. We also know exactly what to do in such situations. That’s because we have been fighting for the rights of injured workers in Ohio for years. When you have our legal team on your side, you can decide what happens next. You are in control.
Get the Ohio law firm that digs deeper for injured workers. Contact us and schedule a free case consultation with an Ohio workers’ compensation attorney you can count on. We have offices in Dayton, Cincinnati, Springfield, and Troy, and handle injury claims throughout Ohio.
“Everyone here has been very helpful and supportive through this difficult time. I was very stressed and frustrated pursuing my workman's compensation benefits on my own. They jumped right in and handled all the difficulties. I’m forever grateful.” – Lakisha S., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐