How many injured workers do not file claims for workers' compensation benefits?

Autor: Shannon HS; Program in Occupational Health and Environmental Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. shannonh@mcmaster.ca, Lowe GS
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: American journal of industrial medicine [Am J Ind Med] 2002 Dec; Vol. 42 (6), pp. 467-73.
DOI: 10.1002/ajim.10142
Abstrakt: Background: Anecdotal evidence suggests that there are injured workers who do not file for workers' compensation (WC). Several recent studies support this, and we aim to quantify the extent of under-reporting.
Methods: A Canadian survey asked about work injuries in the previous year, and several questions established eligibility for WC and whether a claim had been filed. The proportion of eligible injuries with a claim was estimated. Logistic regression identified predictors of claim submission.
Results: Of 2,500 respondents, 143 had incurred an eligible injury, of whom 57 (40%, 95% CI 32-48%) had not filed a WC claim. Severity of injury was the strongest predictor of not claiming.
Conclusions: Survey respondents reported a substantial degree of under-claiming of WC benefits, contrasting with public attention on fraudulent over-claiming. Policy makers should ensure that all relevant parties are aware of their obligations to report work injuries. This will create a more accurate picture of work safety.
(Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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