Travelers: Aging Workforce, New Employees Drive Complexity in Injury Claims

Why It Matters

The rising severity and duration of claims raise workers‑comp costs and lost productivity, pressing employers to adapt safety strategies for an aging and inexperienced workforce. Addressing these trends can reduce claim expenses and improve employee retention.

Key Takeaways

• Injuries to workers 60+ average 97 days, 17 days above overall average
• Slips, trips, falls cause 40% of older workers’ injuries
• First‑year employees account for >33% of all injuries
• Construction claims cost most lost days, 114 per injury
• Travelers recommends risk assessment, safety culture, and return‑to‑work plans

Pulse Analysis

Even as the United States records a steady decline in the frequency of workplace injuries, the nature of those incidents is shifting. Travelers’ latest Injury Impact Report, based on more than 1.2 million indemnity claims from 2021‑2025, reveals that workers 60 years and older now face the longest recoveries, averaging 97 days—roughly 17 days longer than the overall mean. The data points to a higher incidence of fractures and dislocations among senior staff, injuries that inherently demand extended medical treatment and rehabilitation. This trend underscores the growing cost pressure on workers‑comp insurers and employers alike.

New hires amplify the risk profile across sectors. First‑year employees generate over one‑third of all reported injuries, despite representing a smaller share of the labor pool, and they account for nearly half of incidents in restaurants, small businesses, and construction. Slips, trips and falls remain the leading cause of high‑cost claims—those exceeding $250,000—particularly for older workers, where they represent 40 % of injuries. The construction industry bears the brunt of lost productivity, with an average of 114 lost workdays per claim, driving the highest compensation costs.

Travelers translates these findings into three actionable pillars: protect new hires through targeted risk assessments and reinforced safety controls; cultivate a culture of trust that encourages employees to participate in safety planning; and deploy structured return‑to‑work protocols that accelerate recovery while limiting indemnity exposure. Companies that embed these practices can expect lower claim frequency, shorter disability durations, and improved morale. As the workforce continues to age and turnover remains high, proactive safety management will become a competitive differentiator for firms seeking to control expenses and retain talent.