Workplace Injuries.

According to Liberty Mutual's 2003 Workplace Safety Index, the direct cost of workers' compensation insurance claims from disabling work-related injuries in 2000 grew to $42.5 billion. A small percentage of the workers' camp claims continue to represent the bulk of direct costs. In 2000, disabling workplace incidents were responsible for 18% of workers' comp claims, but 93% of direct costs.

Greater Than Inflation Growth in the Direct Costs of Workplace Injuries
(1998 to 2000)

The cost of disabling workplace injuries and illnesses grew faster than
inflation between 1998 and 2000.

                     Inflation-adjusted       Growth before
                           growth        adjusting for inflation

All Injuries                2.5%                   8.3%
Overexertion (1)           12.2%                  18.5%
Falls on same level        17.4%                  24.1%
Bodily reaction (2)        13.5%                  19.8%

(1) "Overexertion" injuries are caused from excessive lifting, pushing,
pulling, holding, carrying or throwing of an object.

(2) "Bodily reaction" injuries are caused from bending, climbing,
slipping or tripping without falling.

Source: Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index

Note: Table made from bar graph

Top 10 Causes and Direct Costs or of Workplace Injuries in 2000

The 10 leading causes of workplace injuries accounted for 89% of the
$42.5 billion in total direct costs of disabling workplace injuries in
2000, up from 86% in 1998.

($ Billions)

Overexertion (1)                  $11.9  28.0%
Falls on same level                $5.4  12.8%
Bodily reaction (2)                $4.4  10.4%
Falls to lower level               $3.6   8.5%
Being struck by object (3)         $3.5   8.3%
Repetitive motion (4)              $2.8   6.5%
Highway incidents                  $2.3   5.4%
Being caught in or compressed by   $1.8   4.2%
 equipment
Being struck against object (5)    $1.7   4.1%
Assaults & violent acts             $.5   1.1%

(1) "Overexertion" injuries are caused from excessive lifting, pushing,
pulling, holding, carrying or throwing of an object.

(2) "Bodily reaction" injuries are caused from bending, climbing,
slipping or tripping without falling.

(3) "Being struck by object," such as a tool falling on a worker from
above.

(4) "Repetitive motion" injuries are due to repetitive stress or strain.

(5) "Being struck against object," such as a worker walking into a door
frame.

Source: Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index

Note: Table made from bar graph