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

Abstract

Objective: To investigate changes in the incomes of workers, particularly those in the construction sector, who experienced industrial accidents according to their status of return to work. Methods: We used data from the fifth Panel Study of Workers’ Compensation Insurance. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare annual differential incomes before and after the industrial accident, and a linear mixed model was used to investigate the changes in income from before to after the industrial accident according to the industry and return-to-work status. Results: A comparison of the industrial categories revealed that construction industry workers exhibited the greatest incomes before the accident and the greatest decrease in income after the industrial accident. Regression analysis for assessing changes in income after the industrial accident showed that a comparison by industry revealed a significantly greater reduction in income in the construction than service industry. A comparison by work status revealed significantly greater decreases in income in the reemployment and non-return to work groups than among those who returned to their original work. Conclusions: The economic statuses of the victims of industrial accidents decreased relative to the pre-accident statuses in all industries. The ability to return to original work is important for preserving the accident victim’s economic status.

Effect of professional certification on employees’ return-to-work rate after occupational injuries in Korea: focusing on vulnerable groups

“…In particular, the return-to-original-work rate among construction workers after an occupational injury was lower than among manufacturing and service workers. This was likely due to a higher percentage of daily workers in the construction industry than in the manufacturing and service industries [ 4 , 38 ]. In addition, most construction workers were older and thus more likely to have a disability after a workplace accident [ 4 ].…”

“…If workers suffered any mental or physical disability from occupational-related injuries or diseases and met the requirements for industrial accident compensation, they were assigned a disability rating from Grades 1 to 14 under the Korean Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act. A grade close to Grade 1 indicates a more serious disability [ 4 , 28 ]. Occupational injuries were classified into three categories: 1–7 (severe), 8–14 (moderate), and “none.”…”

“…However, regardless of such slight rises and falls, the total number of injured workers remains at a high level [ 1 , 2 ]. In addition, the economic loss due to occupational injuries is significant [ 3 , 4 ]. The direct compensation provided for occupational injuries was estimated at KRW 5 trillion (4.4 billion USD), and the estimated total economic loss, including indirect compensation, was KRW 25 trillion (21.8 billion USD) [ 1 , 3 ].…”

Increased risk of suicide after occupational injury in Korea

“…Previous research found that the income of injured workers dropped by an average of 14% during the 5 years after an occupational accident in Korea. 9 In addition, a study on return to work of occupationally injured workers revealed that only half of them returned to work within 12 months, and around 20% still had no job at the time of 3 years after the accident. 3 Furthermore, socioeconomically disadvantaged groups at the time of accident experienced more loss of income; for example, daily workers’ income dropped by 27% while permanent workers’ income decreased by 7% during the 5 years after the accident.…”

“…3 Furthermore, socioeconomically disadvantaged groups at the time of accident experienced more loss of income; for example, daily workers’ income dropped by 27% while permanent workers’ income decreased by 7% during the 5 years after the accident. 9 This discrepancy might be a factor explaining the higher suicide risk among temporary workers than permanent workers.…”