Frequency and Cost of Claims by Injury Type From the Korea Workers’ Compensation Insurance Between 2016 and 2019

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to examine the frequency of worker injuries by affected body part(s) and the associated costs. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of national workers' compensation claims data from the Korean workers' compensation insurance. The main outcome measures were frequency and cost of claims by injury type. Results: Multiple injuries were ranked as the highest injury type in the number of annual claims and percentage of the total cost/total medical cost. Hand/wrist/finger was the most common single-injury type. The frequency of injury type and the cost amount payable as a percentage of the total cost were the highest for multiple injuries, hand/wrist/finger injuries, and knee/lower leg injuries. Conclusions: Regarding frequency and costs, hand/wrist/finger injuries were highest in cost, by single-injury type. Therefore, these injuries should be recognized as intervention targets.