Texas Mutual reports 13% drop in serious injury claims for 2024

Electrical and power line sectors report major declines, but framing contractors face a massive rise

Texas Mutual reports 13% drop in serious injury claims for 2024

Workers Comp

By Kenneth Araullo

Texas Mutual has released insights into workplace injury trends for 2024, focusing on serious claims that include catastrophic injuries and fatalities.

While these trends provide valuable information to help employers prevent similar incidents, some claims may have been deemed non-compensable and excluded from workers’ compensation coverage. 

According to Texas Mutual, overall serious injury claims decreased by over 13% in 2024 compared to the previous year. Notable reductions were reported in the construction (-20%), mining (-24%), transportation (-29%), and business services (-45%) industries.

However, certain sectors saw increases, with heavy manufacturing reporting a 14% rise in claims and hospitality seeing a 41% increase. 

The construction sector continued to account for the highest number of serious claims, though it experienced a 20% decline in 2024. Specific areas within construction showed significant decreases, such as electrical contractors (-46%), power and communication line construction (-71%), and other specialty trade contractors (-36%). 

Texas Mutual noted an exception among framing contractors, which reported a 200% increase in claims. Over 55% of these incidents involved slips, trips, or falls from heights. 

Recommendations to improve safety in construction include maintaining three points of contact while using ladders, ensuring proper use of personal fall arrest systems, and staying alert by avoiding distractions such as cell phones or headphones. 

Hospitality industry trends 

The hospitality sector reported 41% more serious claims in 2024 compared to 2023. Texas Mutual highlighted that over 40% of these claims involved employees with one to six years of experience. Most incidents stemmed from miscellaneous causes, such as unknown medical conditions, strokes, or assaults. 

Another notable trend in hospitality was the return of motor vehicle accidents (MVAs), which were absent in 2023. In 2024, all reported MVAs occurred after dark, and half resulted in fatalities. Texas Mutual recommends maintaining vehicles properly, avoiding distractions while driving, and ensuring drivers are well-rested to reduce risks on the road. 

Burns and scalds from fire or flame remained unchanged from the prior year, despite an overall decline in injuries across all other categories. Texas Mutual attributed this to a 67% increase in burn injuries among employees with less than one year of experience. This trend was observed in construction and heavy manufacturing industries. 

Key safety measures for preventing burn-related injuries include proper maintenance of fire safety equipment, reporting hazards, and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Employees are also advised to follow company evacuation plans in case of fire emergencies and avoid attempting to extinguish fires unless trained. 

Texas Mutual emphasized the importance of proactive safety measures and awareness to address these trends. By examining industry-specific data and implementing targeted safety strategies, employers can reduce the frequency and severity of workplace incidents.

The findings also highlight the need for ongoing training, particularly for less experienced workers, to mitigate risks associated with inexperience and evolving job environments. 

These insights provide an opportunity for businesses to better understand and manage workplace risks, ensuring safer conditions for employees across industries. As serious injuries decline in several areas, addressing areas of increase remains a critical focus for 2025.

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