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Work-Related Injury Statistics in Colorado for 2008

Work-Related Injury Statistics in Colorado for 2008

From 1999 to 2008, Colorado’s average annual employment increased by 8.9% yet the number of lost-time claims filed has decreased by 11.0%.
Injuries to the lower back area are the highest percentage (15.0%) of lost-time claims.
Strains and sprains are approximately 46% of the lost-time claims filed.
Accidents involving a motor vehicle, whether driving in one (3.5%), or being struck by one (0.6%), are the cause of injury in 4.1% of the lost-time claims.
Lifting, the most frequent cause of strains or injuries by strain. contributes to the greatest number of lost-time claims filed.
The percentage of injury claims caused by strain, or injuries by strain, declined by 0.4% from 1999-2008, while the rate of claims for strains, or injuries by strain, has declined by 1.2 per 1,000 employed.
The Transportation and Warehousing NAICS sector, has the highest rate of lost-time claims per 1,000 employed.
The NAICS sub-sector, Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, has the highest rate of claims at 64.9 per 1,000 employed.
Females file claims at a higher rate than males for injuries to the wrist, multiple body parts, and multiple upper extremities.
The greatest percentage of claims for females is in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector, while for males it is the Construction sector. This difference may merely reflect the gender distribution of the work force.
Both males and females, 40-49 years, file the greatest percentage of lost-time claims.
Approximately 27% of lost-time claims are denied.
In 2008, accidents involving motor vehicles are the cause of death in 32.2% of fatal claims, but only 4.1% of all lost-time injury claims.
Construction is the industry sector with the highest number of fatal claims. However, Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting is the sector with the highest rate of fatal claims.
In 2008, three (3) fatal claims, just 2.7% of the fatalities, were filed due to a robbery or criminal assault.
Construction and Extraction occupations have the highest number of fatal claims.
On average, claimants represented by attorneys receive larger settlements. This difference is due to a number of factors, including the fact that an attorney more likely represents claimants with more serious injuries.