Reducing the Economic Burden of Work-Related Injuries

This study examines the effectiveness of employer return to work programs in reducing the average duration of absences from work-related injuries. It finds that workers injured with an employer return to work program in place return to sustained employment approximately 1.38 times sooner after an injury. The biggest reductions in work-injury absence are experienced by men and by workers with a permanent disability. Modifying work equipment is associated with the greatest reductions in injury durations relative to other program components. Back-of-the-envelope calculations indicate that these programs are cost effective for large, self-insured employers. Keywords: workers' compensation, injuries and employee return to work, workplace injuries and employer self-insurance