Which Industries File the Most Workers’ Comp Claims in Florida?
Florida is home to numerous major industries that help fuel the nation’s economy. Construction, manufacturing, transportation, warehousing, and healthcare are especially dominant in the state’s workforce. While a growing number of jobs offer residents opportunities to support themselves and their families, they also increase the risk of accidents and injuries.
Understanding the Data
The data in this report were compiled from publicly available sources, including the Florida Department of Commerce, the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Industry employment figures were reviewed alongside workplace injury and illness statistics to identify which sectors experience the highest rates and volumes of work-related injuries in Florida. The most recent reporting year available at the time of publication was used whenever possible, though some datasets may reflect different reporting periods based on agency release schedules.
This analysis focuses on nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses that are commonly associated with workers’ compensation claims. Because workers’ compensation claim data is not uniformly reported across industries, industry rankings were determined using a combination of employment totals, injury rates, and reported workplace incidents.
For media inquiries regarding this report, please contact Payer Law.
Primary Workers’ Comp Stats
- Florida’s labor force reached nearly 11.2 million workers in March 2025, reflecting continued employment growth statewide.
- Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Florida added approximately 62,000 workers year-over-year in early 2025, increasing overall workforce exposure to occupational risk.
- Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Florida consistently reports tens of thousands of workplace injuries and illnesses annually, reflecting ongoing occupational risk across major industries.
- Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Florida’s construction sector recorded approximately 5,734 workers’ compensation claims in 2022, one of the highest totals among major industries.
- Transportation and warehousing reported 6,645 workers’ compensation claims in 2022, driven by heavy highway freight and delivery activity.
The Role of Industry in Workers’ Compensation Claims
Florida’s labor force reached nearly 11.2 million workers in March 2025, up approximately 62,000 from the previous year. However, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Florida consistently documents tens of thousands of workplace injuries and illnesses annually.
Construction, manufacturing, transportation, warehousing, and healthcare are among Florida’s largest employment sectors and are traditionally associated with elevated workplace injury risks due to physical job demands.
Manufacturing, in particular, can be an incredibly dangerous career path, often requiring direct contact with large machinery, electricity, and raw materials. Florida’s manufacturing industry employed 434,600 workers in March 2025, an increase of 5,700 jobs from the previous year.
In this report, we will look at data on Florida’s top industries and how they contribute to the number of workers’ compensation claims filed annually. If you or your loved one has been hurt on the job, do not wait to get the help you need and deserve. At Payer Law, our team can review your case and determine which legal pathways are available to you.
Tracking Workers’ Compensation Claims in Florida
The Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation maintains a statewide claims reporting system that tracks lost-time, denied, and settled workers’ compensation claims submitted by insurers and self-insured employers. Through a centralized claims database, the Division collects information on workplace injuries, benefits paid, claim outcomes, and other key metrics that help regulators monitor the state’s workers’ compensation system.
To provide additional context and industry benchmarking, researchers and policymakers often rely on data from the National Council on Compensation Insurance and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. NCCI analyzes workers’ compensation claim trends, insurance costs, and risk classifications across industries, while the BLS tracks workplace injury and illness rates nationwide, helping identify sectors with elevated injury risks.
When assessing workers’ compensation data, it is important to differentiate between claim frequency and severity. Claim frequency refers to how often workplace injuries and workers’ compensation claims occur within an industry. Claim severity, on the other hand, measures the average cost or seriousness of those claims.
For example, industries such as hospitality and retail may experience relatively high claim frequency due to a large workforce and frequent minor injuries. At the same time, construction and transportation often see higher claim severity because accidents are more likely to result in serious injuries.
Florida Compared to the National Average: Workers’ Compensation Claims by Industry
Industry
Florida
Nationwide
Construction
Above Average
High
Transportation & Warehousing
Above Average
Very High
Healthcare & Social Assistance
Above Average
High
Manufacturing
Near National Average
Moderate to High
Hospitality & Leisure
Above Average
Moderate
Retail Trade
Near National Average
Moderate
Professional & Business Services
Below Average
Low
Financial Activities
Below Average
Low
*Table based on BLS occupational injury incidence rates and NCCI workers’ compensation industry analyses.
In Florida, construction activity is typically year-round due to generally pleasant weather. As a result, there is increased exposure to falls, struck-by incidents, and other job-site hazards. In addition, Florida has a large tourism sector, creating a greater demand for hospitality and transportation jobs. Again, this creates more opportunities for accidents.
Leading Industries Driving Workers’ Compensation Claims in Florida
Construction
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that Florida’s construction sector had 5,545 workers’ comp claims in 2022. In 2024, it saw the highest number of fatalities out of all the industries, with 88 total. Over 34% of these incidents were caused by fatal falls, slips, and trips.
Employees in the construction sector often work in dangerous conditions, including in and around heavy machinery such as forklifts and tractors, scaffolding and ladders, and the presence of falling objects and debris. Due to these high-risk factors, it is not uncommon for construction-related claims to deal with bone fractures, crushing injuries, deep lacerations, and head trauma.
Agriculture
With Florida’s vast farmworker population, agriculture ranks high in workers’ compensation claims. A total of 32 fatalities were reported related to the agricultural industry in 2022 and 2023 in Florida. The majority of these cases involved vehicle accidents; however, livestock, exposure to harmful substances, and weather conditions were also cited as leading factors.
Transportation, Warehousing, and Logistics
Florida has numerous major highways and interstates that provide access for trucking routes and connections. Additionally, 6.4% of the workforce participates in rideshare or delivery work, compared with 4.3% nationally.
Unfortunately, the thousands of commercial drivers who navigate Florida roadways each year contribute to more accidents. In 2025, nearly 8,000 large trucks and buses were involved in auto collisions. Of these incidents, over 4,000 injuries resulted, and 246 fatalities. Similarly, 2022 stats recorded 6,117 workers’ compensation claims from the transportation and warehousing industry.
Healthcare
Over 5,500 workers’ comp claims were submitted in 2022 for healthcare-related injuries in Florida. These injuries commonly occur in hospitals, nursing homes, and outpatient care facilities, where staff face daily physical and environmental risks.
Common injuries in this industry include musculoskeletal strains from lifting or repositioning patients; back and shoulder injuries; needlestick injuries and exposure to infectious diseases; slip-and-fall accidents on wet or cluttered floors; and repetitive stress injuries from long shifts and constant patient care duties.
Manufacturing
The manufacturing sector reported 3,801 workers’ comp claims in 2022. These injuries often occur in high-paced industrial environments where employees work with heavy machinery, power tools, and repetitive production processes.
Workers are at risk of sustaining deep cuts, lacerations, and crush injuries from equipment use, burns from hot materials or chemicals, repetitive motion injuries affecting the hands, wrists, and shoulders, and back injuries caused by lifting or moving heavy products.
Hospitality
Hospitality workers’ comp claims reached 4,493 in 2022. More broadly speaking, the leisure industry, which encompasses hospitality, sports and fitness, tourism, and more, accounts for over 7,201 of these claims.
Hospitality jobs are often physically demanding and fast-paced, which can explain the high number of injuries. Workers may end up slipping on wet floors, burning or cutting themselves in food prep, or becoming exposed to harmful cleaning chemicals.
Common Workplace Injury Types Across Industries
Industry
Most Common Injury
Average Severity
Hospitality and Leisure
Falls (slips, trips, and falls on wet or uneven surfaces)
Moderate – often results in sprains, fractures, or short-term lost work time
Healthcare
Overexertion (lifting, repositioning, or assisting patients)
Moderate to moderately high – can include back injuries and strains requiring extended recovery
Construction
Struck-by objects (falling tools, materials, or equipment)
High – frequently associated with serious trauma and longer recovery periods
Manufacturing
Repetitive stress injuries (repeated motion tasks such as assembly work)
Low to moderate – typically develops over time and may lead to chronic pain or limited mobility
Year-Over-Year Trends in Florida Workers’ Compensation Claims: Are They Increasing?
Year
New Claims Reported
Claims with Monetary Value
Key Trend Notes
2018
13,000+
6,500+
Stable pre-pandemic workforce activity
2019
13,100+
6,600+
Slight increase in total filings
2020
12,000
6,100
COVID-19 disruption reduced filings
2021
13,200
7,500+
Rebound in workforce activity
2022
13,000+
4,458
Sharp decline in monetary-value claims reported
Source: Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Workers’ Compensation
In general, the trend suggests that Florida workers are not experiencing a steady rise in workplace injury claims but rather periodic fluctuations tied to broader economic and public health events.
How Florida’s Workers’ Compensation Laws Compare To Other States
In Florida, all construction employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance even if they have just one employee. By comparison, some states allow small construction businesses to operate without coverage under broader exemptions or higher employee minimums.
In addition, Florida limits the duration of temporary disability benefits. Most injured workers can receive temporary disability benefits for up to 104 weeks, or a total of 2 years.
Florida’s managed care arrangement for workers’ compensation medical treatment includes the following:
- Employers and insurers select authorized physician networks.
- Injured workers usually must be treated within the approved provider network.
- Referrals, specialist visits, and certain procedures may require authorization.
Overall, this system is designed to balance access to medical care with employer cost control.
Why Workers in High-Risk Industries Are Often Left Without Compensation
Numerous barriers can deter injured workers from seeking compensation, including employer pressure, fear of job loss, and language barriers. To combat these concerns, Florida has specific protections against workers’ comp retaliation.
Similarly, worker classification plays a major role in determining whether Florida’s workers’ compensation system covers a worker. When an employer incorrectly labels a worker, it can directly impact eligibility for benefits after a workplace injury.
Consulting an experienced Florida workers’ compensation attorney can help determine whether a worker may still qualify for benefits despite being labeled incorrectly, such as an independent contractor.
Expert Insights
“In industries such as construction, manufacturing, and hospitality, we continue to see serious workplace injuries that often require aggressive advocacy to ensure injured workers receive the benefits and medical care they are entitled to.”
— James D. Payer, Managing Partner, Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers
James D. Payer is the Managing Partner at Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers with more than 30 years of experience representing injured clients across Florida. He has tried over 100 cases to verdict. He focuses his practice on personal injury, workers’ compensation, and catastrophic injury claims, including cases in construction, hospitality, manufacturing, and other high-risk industries.
What To Do if You Are Injured in a High-Risk Industry
If you have been injured in a high-risk industry, take the following steps to prioritize your well-being and protect a workers’ comp claim. If you’re unsure whether your occupation falls into a high-risk category, see which Florida industries file the most workers’ compensation claims before taking the next steps:
- Notify your employer right away: In Florida, injured workers generally have 30 days to report a work-related injury to their employer. Reporting as soon as possible is important, as delays can lead to disputes or potentially affect your eligibility for benefits.
- Get medical assistance: Promptly seek medical attention and follow all treatment instructions from your authorized physician. In most cases, your employer or their insurance carrier selects the treating doctor, unless you are receiving emergency care. Keeping consistent medical documentation is also essential to support your claim.
- Confirm your employer alerts their insurer: Employers must notify their workers’ compensation insurance carrier within 7 days of learning about the injury. After that, an insurance adjuster is typically assigned to the claim. If you are not contacted in a timely manner, you may consider reaching out to the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation for assistance.
- Contact a workers’ compensation lawyer: An attorney can help protect your rights throughout the claims process, especially if the insurance company delays, disputes, or undervalues your claim. Legal representation can also help ensure you are not pressured to return to work prematurely or accept less compensation than you may be entitled to receive.
- Most Florida workers’ compensation attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay attorney’s fees unless a recovery is made on your behalf.
Taking the right steps early can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your claim.
Cite This Article
Last Updated:
APA Format
Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers. (2026, June 5). Which industries file the most workers’ compensation claims in Florida? https://www.payerlawgroup.com/florida-industries-most-workers-comp-claims/
MLA Format
“Which Industries File the Most Workers’ Compensation Claims in Florida.” Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers, 5 June 2026, https://www.payerlawgroup.com/florida-industries-most-workers-comp-claims/.
Plain-Language Citation (for reporters)
This article, Which Industries File the Most Workers’ Compensation Claims in Florida, published by Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers on June 5, 2026, provides an analysis of Florida workplace injury trends using data from the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and related public sources. It may be cited as: Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers (2026), available at https://www.payerlawgroup.com/florida-industries-most-workers-comp-claims/.
Frequently Asked Questions About Workers' Comp Claims
What Industry Has the Most Workers’ Comp Claims in Florida?
The construction and healthcare industries consistently record the highest number of workers’ comp claims in Florida, largely due to the physical toll of manual labor and patient handling.
Are Undocumented Workers Able To File Workers’ Comp in Florida?
Yes. Under Florida law, all employees, whether they are employed legally or unlawfully, are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if injured on the job.
What Is the Deadline To File a Workers’ Comp Claim in Florida?
Injuries must generally be reported to your employer within 30 days. You then have a two-year statute of limitations to officially file your claim with the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation, starting from the date of the injury.
How Do I Know if My Injuries Qualify for Workers’ Comp in Florida?
Most work-related accidents and occupational illnesses that occur during the scope of employment qualify. Common examples include sprains, fractures, repetitive stress injuries, burns, and herniated discs.
What if My Employer Lacks Workers’ Comp Insurance in Florida?
If your employer is required by law to carry insurance but does not, they may face stop-work orders, severe penalties, and fines. The employer can also be sued directly by the injured worker in civil court for damages.