On average, when a serious injury or illness occurs at work requiring time off, the employee is out for six working days, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Median days away from work were highest for carpal tunnel syndrome (27 days), fractures (20 days), and amputations (18 days), in 1999, according to BLS.

Public transportation attendants and heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics had the highest median days away from work per case (each with ten days), followed by truck drivers and machinery repairers (each with eight days).