In Minnesota, the number of indemnity claims with concussions increased in 2017 and 2018 to the highest levels ever reported in the state. The number of indemnity claims reported for 2018, 533, is more than double the number from 2013 and the number is 2013 is more than three times higher than the number in 2008. Also worth noting is the number of workers with concussions resulting in payment of indemnity benefits is now 10 times higher than the number in 2006.

Concussions made up 1.9% of indemnity claims from 2015 to 2017, compared to 0.2% of these claims from 2005 to 2007. Maybe this increase is due to an actual increase in hits to the head but it may be due to increased awareness about concussions and their effects. Employers may have described falls where a worker hits their head as a “bruise” or “head pain” where now they may classify the injury as a “concussion”. There are likely more concussions occurring that do not result in three or more days out of work.

An analysis of the 1,155 concussion injuries from 2015 to 2017 show the events, sources, industries and occupations where concussions are more common. Women are more likely to report concussions, making up 55% of injuries. In other injury categories women accounted for 37% of claims.

They found 14% of concussion injuries were due to falls on the same level due to slipping, and 13% were due to the worker being assaulted by hitting, kicking or other beating and 13% were due to being struck by an object or equipment.

They found 8% were caused by a fall to the floor, other sources were assault by a student or customer, or due to a fall in a parking lot.

They found 19% of concussion injuries occurred in health care or social assistance, and 15% were in educational services while another 15% were in retail trade. 14% of injuries were to workers in transportation and material moving occupations, while 10% were to workers in education or training. Another 10% were in sales occupations and 9% were workers in health care support.

Read more about the growing concern of concussions in Minnesota here.