New construction companies make up bulk of comp claims

Workers for construction contractors in business less than four years make up 75% of workers compensation claims paid out in the sector, according to a report released Wednesday by AmTrust Financial Services Inc.

The insurer’s contractor risk report identified common injuries and the resulting time off work, based on 26,000 workers compensation claims over 10 years.

The report also found that employees with less than one year on the job pose the greatest injury risk, representing 33% of claims. Those in their second year represent 16% of claims, a percentage that gradually decreases until workers hit their 6th year. Workers with more than 6 years of experience represent 29% of claims.

The report also found that workers comp claims peak in the summer, with August seeing twice as many claims as December, likely due to the seasonal nature of construction work. Meanwhile, states with warmer climates — such as Arizona and Florida — make up the most historical losses, partly because contractors have a year-round season for outdoor work. Arizona claim frequencies are 42% above the average number of comp claims in the United States and Florida claim frequencies are 34% above the average.

Among the other findings from the report, plumbers made up 28% of all claims and electricians made up 19%. Fall or slip lost days are 67% greater than the median for all injuries, at 21 days, while lifting strains are the most common injury with 11 days out. Burns result in the second-highest median days out, at 19 days.