March 23, 2015

Coinciding with a recently released ProPublica report regarding the failures of workers comp “reforms,” officials at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have also published a paper, underscoring some of the serious problems injured workers face in light of these so-called reforms.

While the ProPublica report focused on looking at disparities between states and the evolving control employers and insurers seem to be taking over various aspects of their states’ workers’ comp systems, the OSHA paper took a closer look at just how workers’ comp “reforms” are impacting income equality issues for these injured workers.

Workplace Injuries and Income Inequality: OSHA’s Findings

In its paper entitled, Adding Inequality to Injury: The Costs of Failing to Protect Workers on the Job, OSHA specifically pointed out that:Highlighting the link between workplace injuries and income inequality, an OSHA paper further reveals some failures of the workers’ comp system.

  • In the 10 years following a workplace injury, injured workers typically experience a 15 percent drop in their income.
  • While employers typically cover just over 20 percent of the costs associated with workplace injuries, the families of the injured workers ultimately end up bearing about 50 percent of these costs.
  • About 16 percent of the costs of workplace injuries are reportedly covered by taxpayers when injured workers end up turning to Social Security Disability (or other government aid) for financial support after sustaining workplace injuries.
  • Given the fact that employers are only covering about 1/5 of the costs of workplace injuries, OSHA notes that employers’ incentive for maintaining safe workplace environments (to prevent accidents and injuries) decreases significantly.

Additionally, the OSHA paper noted that, in many cases, injured workers who may be eligible for benefits never end up applying for or receiving them. In particular, the paper revealed that:

  • About 40 percent of the injured workers eligible for workers’ comp benefits never end up applying for them.
  • In California, about 1 in every 3 amputations related to workplace injuries resulted in NO benefit payments.

Denver Workers’ Compensation Lawyer at the Bisset Law Firm

If you or someone you love has been injured at work, Denver Workers’ Compensation Attorney Jennifer Bisset wants you to know that she is here for you, ready to aggressively advocate your rights and help you obtain the benefits you need and deserve. When you trust your claim in the experienced hands of Attorney Jennifer Bisset, you can rely on her to:

  • Work relentlessly to keep your case moving and to ensure all claim deadlines are met
  • Provide you with responsive, personalized service
  • Stand up to insurers and corporate entities on your behalf
  • Help you secure the maximum possible benefits for your injuries and losses.

Contact Us Today

To find out more about how Denver Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Jennifer Bisset can help you, contact our firm today by calling (303) 894-8900 to schedule a professional evaluation of your case. You can also email our firm using the contact form on the right side of this page.

From her office based in Denver, Jennifer Bisset provides superior legal services to injured people throughout Denver County and the state of Colorado.