A Follow-Up Study on Return to Work in the Year After Reporting an Occupational Injury Stratified by Outcome of the Workers’ Compensation System

Abstract

Objective:The aim of this study was to compare return rates to work between different groups according to the decision from the workers’ compensation.Method:Register data on disability benefits were used to describe return rates to work in Kaplan–Meier curves and association with decision on compensation claims. Disability benefits were granted by the municipalities independently of any compensation claim if sick-listed.Results:Claimants with ongoing claims were the group with the largest proportion remaining on disability benefits. Claimants with rejected claims returned to work at the same rate (occupational disease) or slower (industrial accident) than claimants with recognized claim without compensation the subsequent year and at a faster rate after decision.Conclusion:Compensation claims and proceedings of the workers’ compensation system probably increase time to return to work; other factors such as health and social difficulties, however, may explain some of these differences.

Income Changes Due to Disability Ratings and Participation in Economic Activities Caused by Industrial Accidents: A Population-Based Study of Data from the Fourth Panel Study of Workers’ Compensation Insurance (PSWCI)

“…This can limit labor market participation, reduce annual income, and therefore threaten household livelihoods [ 35 , 36 , 37 ]. It has long been criticized that those who are compensated due to industrial accidents through the compensation system show more unfavorable outcomes than those uncompensated [ 38 ]. This study was conducted to identify the changes in income before and after the industrial accidents of affected workers whose recovery periods had ended.…”

Changes in Income after an Industrial Accident According to Industry and Return-to-Work Status

“…Briefly, a return-to-work is easier for workers who are male, younger, and have better health, a low level of disability from injury, a shorter recovery period, better hospital quality and a greater interest in returning to work from the physician [2,17,18,19,20,21,22,23]. Some additional studies evaluated compensation for industrial accidents or the return-to-work and changes in income after industrial accidents [3,10,24,25,26]. However, those studies were based on either the degree of disability after the accident or the status of workers before the accident.…”

Population-based analysis of the impact of trauma on longer-term functional outcomes

“…Not participating in work or education is associated with both economic consequences and psychological distress. Several studies have been published on return to work after trauma; however, the overall public health perspective tended to be restricted owing to small sample sizes, or focus on selected groups of patients with specific injuries or specific mechanisms of injury. Two large population‐based studies from the Victorian State Trauma Registry in Australia reported long‐term follow‐up data regarding return to work, but included only the most severely injured patients.…”