Vehicle-related comp claims rising in last decade

Vehicle-related workers compensation claims have been rising annually in claims count and in percent of total claims, according to data from AF Group.

AF Group pulled data from Accident Fund, United Heartland, CompWest and Third Coast Underwriters.

The total percent of claims in 2017 was 3.50%, compared with 1.95% in 2007. The percent of total claims incurred in 2017 was 7.94%, compared with 5.14% in 2007, according to AF Group.

Driver distraction is the likely cause of these motor vehicle accidents, AF Group said. “From a work comp perspective, these distractions are often a personal choice by employees who are trying to multitask and do their jobs better and more efficiently,” AF Group said in an emailed statement.