Fewer workplace injuries should be good news, but not when recovery times are climbing
Workplace injuries may not be as frequent as they once were, but when they do happen, employees are spending more time off the job than in years past.
That’s one of the major takeaways from the 2025 Travelers Injury Impact Report, a study that sheds light on how today’s workforce is changing and what those changes mean for safety, productivity, and business operations.
The report is based on more than 2.6 million workers’ compensation claims filed over the last decade, providing a unique insight into trends across various industries. While the data shows progress in some areas, it also raises new challenges for employers.
What are the workplace injury trends over the last decade?
In the last five years alone, approximately 1.2 million claims were filed, which is roughly 200,000 fewer than in the preceding five years. That’s good news for safety initiatives and prevention strategies that appear to be working.
But there’s another side to the story. Employees who do get hurt are missing more time. Between 2015 and 2019, injured workers were out of work for an average of 75 days. From 2020 to 2025, that number climbed to 80 days.
Most of these days away from work stemmed from slip and falls, overexertion, being struck by an object, transportation incidents, and being caught in or between accidents.
Construction had 115 days away from work, followed by transportation (92 days), services (78 days), wholesale (76 days), and manufacturing (74 days).
Here are the number of lost days by injury type:
- Dislocations - 140 days
- Fractures - 97 days
- Inflammation - 94 days
- Strains and sprains - 64 days
- Contusions - 40 days
Who is most at risk for workplace injuries?
The report also reveals who is getting injured. First-year employees accounted for 36% of all injuries in the last five years. They also accounted for 34% of the overall claims costs. This indicates that new hires are particularly vulnerable as they learn their roles, navigate unfamiliar equipment, and adjust to the workplace culture.
Older workers are also a big part of the picture. About 41% of all reported injuries were sustained by employees aged 50 and older. When workers over 60 were hurt, they stayed out the longest, at an average of 97 days.
Where do most first-year worker injuries occur?
According to the report, the workplaces most impacted by first-year employee injuries include:
- Restaurants - 51% of claims
- Construction - 44% of claims
- Retail - 40% of claims
- Services - 37% of claims
- Wholesale - 37% of claims
- Transportation - 35% of claims
- Manufacturing - 30% of claims
Why are recovery times increasing?
So why are employees spending more time off after an injury? The Travelers report points to three forces that have been intensifying over the past decade:
- Rising retirement ages: People are working longer, resulting in an increased number of older employees in the workforce. Naturally, recovery often takes longer for this group.
- High employee turnover: New hires are constantly being replaced, and they tend to experience injuries more frequently. This keeps claim numbers steady and adds to costs.
- Slower recovery periods: Whether due to age, more complex injuries, or healthcare factors, injured workers aren’t recovering as quickly as they once did.
Where can employers make improvements?
The Travelers report highlights three key areas where employers can make a significant impact. These include:
- Onboarding and training: Since first-year employees are so often injured, companies need to invest in robust training and mentorship. Safety practices should be emphasized from the outset, rather than being left to trial and error.
- Building a safety culture: Safety can’t be a box that gets checked once a year. It needs to be woven into daily routines and reinforced by leadership. When employees feel like their well-being is a priority, they’re more likely to follow best practices and look out for one another.
- Attracting qualified candidates: Although not every injury can be prevented, hiring experienced and skilled employees can help mitigate risks. Companies that prioritize talent acquisition over simply filling seats quickly are better positioned to avoid costly mistakes.
Put an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer on your side
If you’ve been hurt on the job in California, don’t wait and hope the system takes care of you. Workers’ compensation is supposed to provide medical treatment and wage replacement, but too often the process leaves injured employees fighting uphill battles against insurance companies that want to reduce their compensation.
Attorney Robert A. McLaughlin knows how frustrating and overwhelming this can feel, and he's here to guide you through the initial paperwork and filing an error-free claim. If the insurance companies push back, he can appeal your claim denial and work tirelessly to protect your rights.
When you schedule a free consultation with our San Diego law firm, you’ll meet with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney who can answer your questions and help you map out the next steps in your claim.
Best of all, you won’t pay a dime up front. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only receive payment if we successfully resolve your case. That’s our commitment to making justice accessible, no matter your financial situation.
Contact Robert A. McLaughlin, APC, today
We serve injured workers from South Bay to North County, East County, and everywhere in between. Whether you’re a construction worker, a nurse, a server, or any employee sidelined by a work injury, you deserve someone in your corner.
Don’t let the system or your employer’s insurance company push you around. Contact us today to schedule your free case review. Your recovery and benefits are worth fighting for—and that fight starts now.
"I want to thank the office of Robert A Mclaughlin for all their support in successfully resolving my injury case. ... I totally recommend them. Sincerely," - J.C., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐