A major predictor of workers’ compensation cost is injury severity.6 Injuries resulting from falls to a lower level in construction are often severe, averaging $427 million annually (2005-2008) for medical care alone. These medical costs accounted for roughly 60% of the total incurred by workers’compensation.5 The total cost for falls increased from 2005 to 2007, prior to the economic downturn in 2008 (chart 53c). This sharp decline could be attributed to the corresponding decrease in construction employment during the recession (see page 21) as well as the reduction in reporting injuries for fear of being laid off during difficult economic times.