Costs

Data in the graphs on this page are from the National Council on Compensation Insurance’s (NCCI) Workers Compensation Statistical Plan database,* which reflects claims on workers’ compensation insurance policies in states where NCCI collects such data. The unit statistical data were valued at the latest report available to NCCI as of 10/7/2023. The average cost for all claims combined for accidents that occurred in 2020-2021 was $41,757.

Visit NCCI to learn more about workers’ compensation cost estimates.

Cause of injury

According to NCCI data, the most costly lost-time workers’ compensation claims by cause of injury result from motor-vehicle crashes, averaging $89,152 per workers’ compensation claim that occurred in 2020 and 2021. The only other causes with above-average costs were burns ($52,161), falls or slips ($49,971), and caught ($47,076).

Nature of injury

The most costly lost-time workers’ compensation claims by nature of injury are for those resulting from amputation. These injuries averaged $126,033 per workers’ compensation claim that occurred in 2020 and 2021. The next highest costs were for other trauma ($63,044), injuries resulting in fracture, crush, or dislocation ($62,240),  and burns ($52,222).

Part of body

The most costly lost-time workers’ compensation claims by part of body are for those involving the head or central nervous system. These injuries averaged $94,285 per claim that occurred in 2020 and 2021. The next highest costs were for injuries involving the neck ($65,659) and multiple body parts ($62,257). Injuries to the leg ($60,901), hip, thigh, and pelvis ($60,155), and arm or shoulders (49,838) also had above-average costs.

* NCCI makes no representations or warranties of any kind nor assumes any responsibility for the accuracy of the underlying data or any third-party use of the data on this page.