The average cut, puncture or scrape claim pays $1,519, while the average for a fall is $10,041. Claims involving strains see an average payment of $9,277 and burns and scalds see an average payout of $3,160. AmTrust reported that cuts are 30% more common than falls, but expenses incurred for fall claims are 410% higher. (Credit: Andrey/Adobe Stock) The average cut, puncture or scrape claim pays $1,519, while the average for a fall is $10,041. Claims involving strains see an average payment of $9,277 and burns and scalds see an average payout of $3,160. AmTrust reported that cuts are 30% more common than falls, but expenses incurred for fall claims are 410% higher. (Credit: Andrey/Adobe Stock)

Although overall injuries among restaurant workers were down in 2021, according to AmTrust Financial, certain types of injuries saw dramatic year-on-year spikes. Compared with pre-pandemic levels, crushing injuries were up 89%, mental stress injuries were up 71%, incidents of fainting increased 61% and inflammation saw a 35% increase. Strains increased 23% increase and dislocations were up 11%.

"Since Q2 2021, as vaccines became more widely available and restrictions on capacity were lifted, restaurants reopened to 'normal' operations but faced staffing shortages. We are seeing an increase in the number of reported injuries because of shortages, turnover and new hires," AmTrust noted in a report.

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Steve Hallo

Steve Hallo is managing editor of PropertyCasualty360.com. He can be reached at [email protected]