Study Shows that Repeat Injuries are Very Common in Texas Claims
A new study by the Research and Evaluation Group reveals that employees who suffer more than one injury or claim is “quite common and costly” and that as many as half of injured employees in Texas suffer from repeated injuries.
According to the researchers’ findings, about 40 percent of new claims in each year were claims by those individuals who had at least one previous injury and claim. Among the new claims without a past injury, about 30 percent of them would have a second injury in 10 years. Considering all available medical and claims data from 1998 to 2017, 53 percent of all claims and 51 percent of medical costs were associated with multiple injuries.
Researchers also concluded that the reinjury rate was significantly higher for those in public administration and health care industries. The reinjury rate was also notably higher among medical-only claims, and those employees who suffered shoulder injuries. The injury rate was also found to be slightly higher among males, younger employees, and pre-formulary claims.
The 40-page research study was published in May 2018.
The Workers’ Compensation Research and Evaluation Group at the Texas Department of Insurance is responsible for conducting professional studies and research on various system issues, including: the delivery of benefits; litigation and controversy related to workers’ compensation; insurance rates and rate-making procedures; rehabilitation and reemployment of injured employees; the quality and cost of medical benefits; employer participation in the workers’ compensation system; employment health and safety issues; and other matters relevant to the cost, quality, and operational effectiveness of the workers’ compensation system.
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