With over 1.2 million cases reported in 2005, the number of lost-work cases is staggering. Not only does each day represent a hardship for the employer who often has to do more work with fewer workers but also is forced to pay claims, lost wages and increased insurance premiums.Â
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports data based on the number of days a worker was absent from work due to a work related accident, injury or illness, and this data directly reflects the cost associated with workers compensation cases.
While the average number of days workers were out of work was only 7 days, the majority of cases (24%) showed workers out of work for more than 31 days. 14.3% were away from work for only 1 day. 24.9% of the men who were out of work remained out of work for 31 days or more, while the percentage of women out that long was only 22.8%.
Most of the people who were out of work between the ages of 16 and 24 were out of work for less than 10 days, while people aged 25 to 65 and older averaged a higher percentage at 31 days or more. 28.7% of the people employed by a company for more than 5 years were absent 31 days or more.
