Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety (01/20/12)

A new report from the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety finds that the overall workers’ compensation cost of all injuries and illnesses has declined to a 12-year low, but costs associated with certain causes of injuries have increased sharply in the same period. The inflation-adjusted direct cost of most disabling injuries was $35.4 billion in 2009—more than a 6% decline from the previous year and the lowest amount since $37.1 billion in 1998.

Meanwhile, the costs for falls on the same level and falls to a lower level —the second and third top causes of disabling injuries in 2009 respectively —have increased 34.2% and 10.2%, respectively, since 1998. Over-exertion, the leading cause of disabling injuries, cost $12.8 billion in 2009, and has fallen by 9.9% over the past 12 years.