Comparing Disability and Return to Work Outcomes Between Alternative and Traditional Workers’ Compensation Programs

Details

• Personal Author:
  Dauner KN ; Ryan, Andrew D. ; Schofield K
• Description:
  METHODS: Claims data from 2003 to 2016 were classified as processed through UCWCP or SWCS. Outcomes included: temporary total disability (TTD), vocational rehabilitation (VR), claim duration and costs, and permanent partial disability (PPD). The relative risk of incurring TTD, VR, and PPD in UCWCP vs SWCS was calculated using log-binomial regression. Linear regression examined the relationship between programs and continuous outcomes including costs and duration. Estimates were adjusted for age, sex, wage, and severity. RESULTS: The UCWCP processed 15.8% of claims; higher percentages of UCWCP claimants were older and earned higher wages. Results point to positive findings of decreased TTD incidence and cost, lower risk of TTD extending over time, higher likelihood of VR participation, and less attorney involvement and stipulation agreements associated with UCWCP membership. Differences were more apparent in workers who suffered permanent physical impairment. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that the defining programmatic elements of the UCWCP, including its medical provider and rehabilitation network and access to ADR, have been successful in their aims. Claims with increased severity exhibited more pronounced differences vs SWCS, potentially due, in part, to greater use of programmatic elements. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Aging Construction Industry Occupational Health Safety Workplace
• Keywords:
  Age Groups Author Keywords: Construction Workforce Construction Construction Industry Disability Evaluation Disabled Workers Injuries Occupational Injury Return To Work Union Collective Bargaining Work Environment Workers Workers Compensation

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• ISSN:
  0271-3586
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Minnesota ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  62
• Issue:
  9
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20056471
• Citation:
  Am J Ind Med 2019 Sep; 62(9):755-765
• Contact Point Address:
  Katherine Schofield, PhD, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Minnesota Duluth, 237 Voss Kovach Hall, 1305 Ordean Court, Duluth, MN 55812-3000
• Email:
  kscho@d.umn.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2019
• Performing Organization:
  University of Minnesota Twin Cities
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Industrial Medicine
• End Date:
  20250630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:7016a0fa14cc4df697195c857d25fd88b1cde185611accf1642877cbd2e73f9332c80caf5fc83985aced0eef36e178e62eb8b6c4c4d39bb7e7fc00a9c1d10ef8
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/214075/cdc_214075_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 585.14 KB ]