Louisiana Workers’ Comp Insurer Says Claims Fell 4% in 2009

Worker injury claims among Baton Rouge, La.-based LUBA Workers’ Comp policyholders fell more than 4 percent in 2009 compared with 2008.

The company said several of the top categories of accidents dropped as well. Slips, trips and falls – the single biggest category – dropped 6.4 percent from 2008.

LUBA said the top five claims types in 2009 were:

1. Slips, trips and falls – dropped by 6.4 percent.
2. Strains from lifting – dropped by 17.6 percent.
3. Motor-vehicle accidents – rose 21.8 percent.
4. Workers caught under or between objects – increased 4.4 percent.
5. Falls from ladders – decreased 21.9 percent.

Despite an increase in motor-vehicle accidents in 2009, the number of those claims was low compared to larger categories. When the total number of injury claims is considered, the number of auto accidents fell within the typical range, said Dave Lorino, LUBA claims manager.

“Motor-vehicle accidents usually make up 7 percent to 9 percent of our lost-time claims, and 2009 will be right in line with that,” Lorino said.

Since it began in 1991, LUBA has returned more than $25 million to policyholders. LUBA coverage is available through select local independent insurance agencies.

Source: LUBA Workers’ Comp, www.lubawc.com