Starting a new job in Minnesota often represents a fresh start. Despite the positive aspects of landing a job, studies have revealed that you face an enhanced risk of an injury during your first year at work. The greater likelihood of getting hurt as a new employee arises from a lack of familiarity with the tasks or environment and sometimes insufficient training.
Risk revealed in insurance data
Just over one-third of insurance claims for work-related injuries came from workers who were new hires. The age or overall experience level did not impact the risk of getting hurt in the first year.
Impact of injury on employment
People in their first year at a job have yet to establish themselves within an organization. When they experience workplace injuries and file workers’ compensation claims , they frequently worry about how their employers perceive the situation. Their fear of subsequent job loss due to missing work or lingering effects of injuries can add to stress about finances and career development.
Higher medical expenses for older employees
Newly hired people age 60 or older regularly face higher medical expenses after workplace injuries. Many people in this age group seek employment if they remain fit and active. However, older adults tend to experience worse musculoskeletal injuries, like sprains or bone fractures, compared to younger people. They sometimes need longer periods of time to recover and require more medical appointments.
According to an analysis of insurance claims, job injuries among older workers produce expenses almost 15% higher than workers between the ages of 35 and 49. The cost of medical care for older workers exceeds bills for injured younger workers, ages 18 to 24, by 140%.
