Overexertion Injuries Leading Cause of Losses, Liberty Mutual Says

Thursday, April 11, 2019 | 0

Overexertion is the leading cause of losses among workplace injuries, according to the 2019 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index.

Falls to the same level were the second leading cause of losses across all injuries, followed by being struck by an object or equipment.

Liberty Mutual said overexertion cost about $13.11 billion per year, accounting for 23.65% of losses caused by occupational injuries.

Falls cost $10.38 billion in combined medical and indemnity benefits, or 18.72% of losses. And employers paid $5.22 billion in medical and wage-replacement benefits for injured workers who were struck by objects or equipment.

The 2019 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index also ranks the top five leading causes of loss for industries including construction; professional services; manufacturing; health care; retail; transportation and warehousing; wholesale; and leisure and hospitality.

The report is here.