Top Ten Workers’ Compensation Claims in Kentucky

Workplace slip and falls were the top cause of Kentucky workers’ compensation claims from January to March 2013.

Number two on the list: injuries caused by lifting accidents.

These statistics are from the First Quarterly Report from the Kentucky Department of Workers’ Claims.

Approximately 80,000 employers and 1.7 million employees are covered under the Kentucky workers’ compensation program. Workers’ compensation provides benefits for medical bills, lost income and other expenses for men and women who are hurt on the job.

Top Ten Causes of Injury Claims (January-March 2013)

1. Fall or slip – 258 claims
2. Lifting – 179 claims
3. Repetitive motion – 103 claims
4. Motor vehicle accidents – 88 claims
5. Strain – 87 claims
6. Pushing or pulling – 70 claims
7. Cumulative injury – 69 claims
8. Absorption, ingestion or inhalation – 63 claims
9. Other injury – 56 claims
10. Continual noise – 52 claims

Top Ten First Reports of Injuries (January-March 2013)

1. Lower back – 1,153 reports
2. Multiple body parts – 805 reports
3. Knee – 783 reports
4. Shoulders – 679 reports
5. Fingers – 644 reports
6. Hand – 489 reports
7. Wrist – 353 reports
8. Ankle – 327 reports
9. Foot – 264 reports
10. Lower arm – 245 reports

Distribution of Claims by Industry (January-March 2013)

1. Manufacturing – 187 claims; 1,930 first reports
2. Services – 175 claims; 1,916 first reports
3. Retail Trade – 103 claims; 1,227 first reports
4. Public Utilities and Transportation – 102 claims; 1,309 first reports
5. Public Administration – 65 claims; 522 first reports
6. Finances, Insurance and Real Estate – 41 claims; 881 first reports

Wholesale Trade – 31 claims; 185 first reports

Filing and winning a workers’ compensation claim in Kentucky can be a long and difficult process. Many claims that are initially denied are won on appeal. A Kentucky workers’ compensation attorney can make the process go more smoothly.

Source:

Kentucky Department of Workers’ Claims Quarterly Report (January – March 2013) http://www.labor.ky.gov/workersclaims/Periodic%20Reports/Jan-Mar%202013.pdf