What Happens Every 7 Seconds: A Workplace Injury

Injured on the job? Well, you're not alone. An American worker is injured every seven seconds, 12,900 workers per day and 4.7 million a year, according to the National Safety Council. With the workforce expanding by 160,000 in April and a new class of college graduates joining the hunt, that figure could climb.

It's particularly true for younger workers who are just starting out in a new job. "More than one-quarter of injuries occur in the first year of employment," said Rich Ives, vice president of workers' compensation for Travelers Insurance.

American industry is in a multigenerational vise. About a third of all workers are fairly young, in the 18- to 34-year-old group. "Teenagers getting their licenses do have a high rate of accidents," noted Ives. And another third is getting older, with 55-plus workers growing all the time and experiencing more sprains and strains.

Travelers just released a five-year "Injury Impact Report" of 1.5 million workers' compensation claims in an effort to pinpoint where, why and how injuries occur -- and how much they cost. Workers' compensation insurance is a good barometer for serious injuries, because it pays when someone is hurt at work or acquires an occupational disease because of their previous job, such as black lung or mesothelioma. It covers serious injuries that require medical treatment, wage replacement and vocational rehabilitation. Luckily for you, have have you covered with contractor insurance for workers.

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