State DWC Publishes Claim Stats

The Colorado Department of Labor, Division of Worker's Compensation has a variety of interesting WC-related statistics and other information on its website -- all related to the state's employment injury analysis.
Some key findings from the annual report include:

• Injuries to the lower back area and knee are 25% of the lost-time claims. Strains and sprains are almost 39% of lost-time claims filed. Motor Vehicle accidents are the cause of injury in 3.4% of the lost-time claims.
• From 1995 to 2004, Colorado’s average annual employment grew by 18.2%, yet the number of lost-time claims filed has dropped by 15.5%.
• The Mining sector employs only .7% of the Colorado workforce, yet has the highest rate of claims at 25.8 per 1,000 employ0ed. The NAICS sub-sector, Couriers and Messengers, has the highest rate of claims at 52.4 per 1,000 employed.
• Males file claims at a higher rate than females in every age group.
• Motor vehicle accidents are the cause of death in 31% of fatal claims, but only 3.4% of all lost-time claims.

For more information, from the Colorado DWC, visit www.coworkforce.com/dwc.