Age in relation to worker compensation costs in the construction industry

Natalie V. Schwatka; Lesley M. Butler; John C. Rosecrance

doi:10.1002/ajim.22093

Age in relation to worker compensation costs in the construction industry

Natalie V. Schwatka, Lesley M. Butler, John C. Rosecrance

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: A better understanding of how workers' compensation (WC) costs are affected by an aging US workforce is needed, especially for physically demanding industries, such as construction. Methods: The relationship between age and injury type on claim costs was evaluated using a database of 107,064 Colorado WC claims filed between 1998 and 2008 among construction workers. Results: Mean WC costs increased with increasing age for total cost (P<0.0001), medical costs (P<0.0001), and indemnity costs (P<0.0001). For each one-year increase in age, indemnity, and medical costs increased by 3.5% and 1.1%, respectively. For specific injury types, such as strains and contusions, the association between age and indemnity costs was higher among claimants aged ≥65 compared to claimants aged 18-24.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	356-366
Number of pages	11
Journal	American Journal of Industrial Medicine
Volume	56
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22093
State	Published - Mar 2013
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Aging workforce
Construction industry
Occupational injury
Older workers
Workers' compensation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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10.1002/ajim.22093

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abstract = "Background: A better understanding of how workers' compensation (WC) costs are affected by an aging US workforce is needed, especially for physically demanding industries, such as construction. Methods: The relationship between age and injury type on claim costs was evaluated using a database of 107,064 Colorado WC claims filed between 1998 and 2008 among construction workers. Results: Mean WC costs increased with increasing age for total cost (P<0.0001), medical costs (P<0.0001), and indemnity costs (P<0.0001). For each one-year increase in age, indemnity, and medical costs increased by 3.5% and 1.1%, respectively. For specific injury types, such as strains and contusions, the association between age and indemnity costs was higher among claimants aged ≥65 compared to claimants aged 18-24.",

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AU - Butler, Lesley M.

AU - Rosecrance, John C.

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Age in relation to worker compensation costs in the construction industry

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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